In Monterey this weekend...

[Phooi]

Is it worthwhile to stop by Fourtane?

For those who have gone, anything in particular I should be on the lookout for.

Thanks!

[Setarip]

Originally Posted by Phooi

Is it worthwhile to stop by Fourtane?

For those who have gone, anything in particular I should be on the lookout for.

Thanks!

Yes. Lots of vintage Rolexes. They are very helpful and generally, if there are not a lot people in the store, and you look reputable, will allow you to try on various pieces.

There is a cowboy shop next door or around the corner that sells high-end, custom boots and hats. Also interesting. Then just walk down Ocean street and peruse the galleries and brick-a-brack shops.

[Kliminator]

Definitely worth a visit! Great vintage inventory and nice people

[epc2]

Totally worth it , one of the best AD's I've dealt with.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by Phooi

Is it worthwhile to stop by Fourtane?

For those who have gone, anything in particular I should be on the lookout for.

Thanks!

I will be out there too but for the Indycar race at Laguna Seca. I only live about an hour from there so I have been to Fourtane many times. Their vintage collection is amazing. Many very desirable pieces which are a bit overpriced IMO but its hard to find a flaw on most of them. Their new inventory is the same story as most ADs so dont be disappointed if you dont find what you are looking for.

[101031-28]

One of my favorite ADs when in the Monterey/Carmel area. Janine is an absolute joy to speak to and talk watches. Their vintage Rolex selection is one of the nicest I have ever seen, and as far as modern, they have a nice inventory but no 'hot' pieces in SS. Enjoy!

[StackLexus17]

Always worthwhile to stop in any AD.

[wsfarrell]

They have some nice vintage stuff, but the prices are absurd. A lot of the vintage Rolexes in their shop have been there for years. If you look at their online site you'll see that they don't show prices---they want you to call so they can "engage" you in a dialog.

[Phooi]

Thanks everyone for the feedback! I’m hoping to stop by this weekend.

I was at the Monterey Bay Aquarium today and saw someone wearing a vintage Pepsi. It was the first one I’ve seen in the wild. Beautiful day in Monterey so far!

[Speed]

Originally Posted by Phooi

Is it worthwhile to stop by Fourtane?

For those who have gone, anything in particular I should be on the lookout for.

Thanks!

What are *you* on the look out for?

It's a nice shop, nice people...but what is the purpose of your visit? Browsing? Seeking a particular watch?

[bradyb]

Well worth the stop to check out all the vintage goodies. And very nice people, as mentioned.

[brigadoonb]

Take some pictures if you can of their stock. Curious what they have with all these great vintage stock reviews.

[jdmi32]

If you’re a vintage fan then it’s a must see. For new models, their inventory will be just like every other AD. Even if you strike out at Fourtane, you can make up for it at Dametra Cafe across the street.

[Laszlo]

Everything is great there.

[Phooi]

LONG POST

I stopped by today just to browse and to see watches I’ve never seen before. I have to say that their reputation for service is real.

I stopped in with my family at the watch store and the place was very busy. My daughter, a “tween” discovered their vintage jewelry store next door. I chased after her since I didn’t want the sales staff to think why a little girl was wandering into their store alone. We met a sales associate, Carolyn, who was very generous with her time. She showed my daughter pieces 200 to 300 years old. When my wife caught up to us, Carolyn spent the over an hour showing my daughter and wife around the entire store and educating them about jewelry and gem stones. It’s rare to ever experience service like that anywhere.

I proceeded back to the watch side and spent that time looking at watches I’ve never seen in person. I started with new rolexes. They had quite a selection of new rolexes available. Of course they didn’t have any SS pro watches or a DaytonaC in white (which was what I’m always looking for). However, they did have a lot of other watches. I wasn’t sure if I should or could take pictures of their case so I didn’t. But here is a list of what I could remember:

- Quite a few SS DJs including a Wimbledon and blue dial with diamonds.
- bluesy, smurf, TT and PM skyDs, TT Daytonas, PM Daytonas (no platona)
- WG DD with white and olive dials (Roman) , YG DD in white (Roman), silver (Roman) and black (batons), Everose DD (rhodium)

They also had a quite a selection of vintage rolexes. While I don’t have any experience with vintage, my SA Carol Ann, suggested I start with a mint Coke. Honestly, I don’t think I’m ready to take that dive yet but I certainly enjoyed looking at their selection. Some highlights excluding the Coke was 2 Tiffany dialed Rolexes, a Rolex perpetual calendar, and a triple red sub (I think that’s what she called it).

Finally, I had a chance to see and try on some watches I’ve been interested in. One that I have been interested in has been a Cartier Santos L in blue and a skeleton. From pictures and in the case, they look huge. When I put them on, they were surprisingly comfortable and not big on my wrist. The other watch I wanted to see was a Tudor. I’ve only read about them here and had never seen one in person. I had a chance to try on a heritage BB midnight. What a nice watch in person and at such a reasonable price! Honestly I never thought much of Tudor but seeing it in person really changed my mind.

Overall, I’d say that Fourtane lived up to its reputation and would highly recommend it to anyone shopping for a watch. Thanks again for your input!

[Kliminator]

Originally Posted by Phooi

LONG POST



I stopped by today just to browse and to see watches I’ve never seen before. I have to say that their reputation for service is real.



I stopped in with my family at the watch store and the place was very busy. My daughter, a “tween” discovered their vintage jewelry store next door. I chased after her since I didn’t want the sales staff to think why a little girl was wandering into their store alone. We met a sales associate, Carolyn, who was very generous with her time. She showed my daughter pieces 200 to 300 years old. When my wife caught up to us, Carolyn spent the over an hour showing my daughter and wife around the entire store and educating them about jewelry and gem stones. It’s rare to ever experience service like that anywhere.



I proceeded back to the watch side and spent that time looking at watches I’ve never seen in person. I started with new rolexes. They had quite a selection of new rolexes available. Of course they didn’t have any SS pro watches or a DaytonaC in white (which was what I’m always looking for). However, they did have a lot of other watches. I wasn’t sure if I should or could take pictures of their case so I didn’t. But here is a list of what I could remember:



- Quite a few SS DJs including a Wimbledon and blue dial with diamonds.

- bluesy, smurf, TT and PM skyDs, TT Daytonas, PM Daytonas (no platona)

- WG DD with white and olive dials (Roman) , YG DD in white (Roman), silver (Roman) and black (batons), Everose DD (rhodium)



They also had a quite a selection of vintage rolexes. While I don’t have any experience with vintage, my SA Carol Ann, suggested I start with a mint Coke. Honestly, I don’t think I’m ready to take that dive yet but I certainly enjoyed looking at their selection. Some highlights excluding the Coke was 2 Tiffany dialed Rolexes, a Rolex perpetual calendar, and a triple red sub (I think that’s what she called it).



Finally, I had a chance to see and try on some watches I’ve been interested in. One that I have been interested in has been a Cartier Santos L in blue and a skeleton. From pictures and in the case, they look huge. When I put them on, they were surprisingly comfortable and not big on my wrist. The other watch I wanted to see was a Tudor. I’ve only read about them here and had never seen one in person. I had a chance to try on a heritage BB midnight. What a nice watch in person and at such a reasonable price! Honestly I never thought much of Tudor but seeing it in person really changed my mind.



Overall, I’d say that Fourtane lived up to its reputation and would highly recommend it to anyone shopping for a watch. Thanks again for your input!

Glad you had a good experience. Take pics next time! Here's two piece I tried ok last year when I stopped by

[adawil2002]

Great selection and the staff are friendly. Definitely stop in.

[dchernikoff]

I stopped in there last Friday while on a trip to Monterey. The salesperson Janine remembered my wife and I -- and we hadn't been there for two years! They are very nice and welcoming, and seem to really enjoy talking about and showing off their vintage and new watches. Saw a moon-dial vintage Rolex that I had never hear of before, stunning. And they were very appreciative of my wife's new DJ, even though we hadn't bought it there.

They mentioned that all their prices went up 3% January 1 (thought I heard 7% on this forum?). I was surprised to learn that the salespeople there are NOT on commission. And that in general they sell 2 watches a day, although they can sell up to 5 on a good day.

Great store to visit!

-Dan

[KrismanX]

Hell YES! Fourtane has some awesome vintage and SS selection. Ask for Peter if he’s there.

Edit: I see now you got to stop in! Glad you had a great time it’s a beautiful town with a great dealer.

[function12]

I was there back in September and tried to buy the YG Day Date white roman. They would not budge off MSRP.
Staff is always nice and more than helpful.

[Wcdhtwn]

Originally Posted by Phooi

Is it worthwhile to stop by Fourtane?

For those who have gone, anything in particular I should be on the lookout for.

Thanks!

I was there in March of '19 and they had a way above average selection compared to other AD's. They told me they are the only Rolex sanctioned vintage dealer in the US, not sure this is a thing Rolex does or if it was just sales BS, but their vintage collection was excellent when I was there.

Also agree, they were all very nice people.

[SS Oyster]

I have not been to their Carmel store, but love their San Diego Boutique, where I met Josh (one of owners), who was very nice.

I have heard great things about their Carmel store including being the reference for vintage Rolex.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[sheldonsmith]

We had a great GTG there 10 years ago. https://www.minus4plus6.com/GTG-Carmel.php

Since then the store has been remodeled but still has the same charm. The Bonifas family knows how to take care of people first and Rolexes second. You feel it because it is exemplified by every staff member and by the way they treat you.

Fourtané is a great destination visit, and the rest of Carmel is a bonus.

~ Sheldon

[BNA/LION]

Yes! They have some exquisite jewelry and watches.

[adawil2002]

Stop by every time in Carmel.

[sond86]

I been there 50 times and still. always get butterflies going in like a candy store