London Trip 2012 (Pics + Review)

[thewatchguy93]

Hello everyone!!


I've been to London for the weekend, it wouldn't be right if I didn't go and check out all of the AD's in town and get back to you guys with some store reviews and pics!!


Day 1...


I started my weekend at the O2 Arena to see Jay-Z and Kayne West performing their new album "Watch The Throne". The concert was absolutly fantastic! Obviously I noticed Jay-Z sporting his DDII in YG and Kayne with his RG Hublot BigBang.. Once the concert had ended we got onto the Themes Clipper Boat which took us from the O2 Arena to Tower Bridge.. Heres a few pics!









Concert over and got some kip at a real swanky top notch hotel..



Day 2...


I headed over to Oxford Street and went into various stores but nothing too special to see there.. Next stop was New Bond Street...






First stop was Watches Of Switzerland.. to try on a Cartier Santos 100 in SS.. What a watch!!!





The sales guy was very knowledgable and gave a great service and made me feel very welcome to try on what ever I wished. I was close to pulling the trigger but unfortunatly the gloss finish on the croc strap was starting to peel away which I found quite poor so I moved on..



Next stop was Time2 Rolex Boutique in Hyde Park..

Inititial thoughts.. WOW!! They have a huge selection of precious metal watches which was heaven for me!! But no sign of SS sports models


I walked into the shop, greated at the door and looked around for around 5 minutes before anybody approched me to ask if I would like any help or would like too try anything on. I pointed out a few watches and was told to take a seat whilst the lady goes over to fetch her collegue "the Rolex expert" (Surely working in a boutique they should all be experts and know the brand inside out?).. Phahaa


I asked to try on a Platinum watch and was open to the sales ladies suggestion.. The first watch she bought out to me was a WG DDII with Diamond dot dial.. (Must be a new model, I never knew they made it in PLT)..



After pointing the sales lady in the right direction...

I tried on a DDII in Platinum Holy crap what a timepiece!!! Its the heaviest thing I've had on my wrist since Manufacture Royal "Opera" at SalonQP..




I was curious to find out what dial's the pearlmaster came in.. I asked the saleslady if I could try it on and show me the different variations availible..




Out came the catalogue WITH COST PRICES VISIBLE!!!


The sales lady flicked through the booklet and came to the page of dial options, she told me all of these dials are avaibile on this watch, FREE OF CHARGE!! By this point I knew I could have some fun.. She was on totally the incorrect page, showing me the dials for the DDII, not the pearlmaster..


I couldn't cope any longer in the store and moved on, I felt like I was being watched from every angle by the security guards, me being the only person in the store.. The "Rolex Expert" showed me to the door..


My next stop was HARRODS!! and WOW did I have a good experience.. I walked into the watch room and my first stop was Rolex.


I tried on quite a few watches and the sales guy was VERY polite and helpful!!




My new favourate watch!!




...Out comes the daddy!!














After trying on a few pieces I was asked by the guy if I would like to see any other brands. I was initicially confused, thinking why would he want to persuade me into a different brand and potentially loosing a sale, only to find out in the watch room all of the sales staff actually work for Harrods alone, not the brand, which is GREAT and it reduces any competition between brands..


He very kindly walked me over to Richard Mille and bought the watches with him on a tray..




Again the sales staff knew everything about the brand, if your not a watch enthusiast, they made there explainations very clear!



Headed over to Hublot and AP..











And finally... this beautiful Breitling for Bentley Benato in 18k Gold..





OVERVIEW...


- Watches of Switzerland - 8/10
- Rolex Boutique Hyde Park - 3/10
- Harrods Watch Room - 10/10


I hope you enjoyed the thread, I know where I will and won't be shopping in the future!!

[FremStar]

Now that's what I call a night out on town!!!! Love it!!! Nephew you have some of the best threads on TRF! Purely enjoyable all around!!! Fun times and as always thanks for taking us on the journey with you!!! I am surprised the staff at the Rolex boutique in Hyde park was so clueless! I guess when the product sells itself there is no need for the staff to be knowledgeable

[Sean.c]

I LOVE your reviews you do!! Amazing trip and amazing pictures!

[reecester]

The GMT 2 C is stunning, the richard mille is coooooooool. The Hublot is amazing. Great choices. Great pics.

[A.J.R.]

Holy cow, those are some stunning pieces!!

[Puffy]

great work mate! my fav is the PT DJ!

[Oyster Junkie]

Thanks for sharing Dino!

[RRP]

Great review!! I love Richard Mille's so much. What was the range like in Harrods? Did they have a good selection of Richard Mille's? And do you live in the UK or was this an overseas trip?

[dddrees]

Wow Dino, some of those are some really serious pieces.

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by FremStar

Now that's what I call a night out on town!!!! Love it!!! Nephew you have some of the best threads on TRF! Purely enjoyable all around!!! Fun times and as always thanks for taking us on the journey with you!!! I am surprised the staff at the Rolex boutique in Hyde park was so clueless! I guess when the product sells itself there is no need for the staff to be knowledgeable

Uncle!! It was awesome thanks! Its a good job Rolexes speak for themselfs..

Originally Posted by Sean.c

I LOVE your reviews you do!! Amazing trip and amazing pictures!

Originally Posted by Puffy

great work mate! my fav is the PT DJ!

Thanks guys!!! Glad you enjoyed..



Also I forgot to mension, they are going a shop fit on this Rolex Boutique opening on Bond St in June!!!

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by dddrees

Wow Dino, some of those are some really serious pieces.

Great pictures, thanks for sharing.

Dan mate..

[The GMT Master]

Great review, Dino, looks like you had a fun trip. That new boutique looks like a good target for us to pester at the GTG haha

Chris

[Sean.c]

If you have any other pictures to upload don't hesitate ! haha

[thewatchguy93]

Forgot to mension this too you all..


This is an interview with the owner of Time2 Rolex Boutique in Hyde Park..


For Coleridge one of the biggest and most important investments has been the time spent on staff training to ensure that all of its Rolex boutique sales associates are confident with the product at hand.


“The key investment in time is the staff, ensuring they have the knowledge and ability to present the products,” he said.


In terms of monetary value, Coleridge adds that a great deal of cost has been spent on Rolex stock, with the Rolex boutique at One Hyde Park housing about 600 timepieces.


“We have the largest stockholding of the product in the country giving customers the widest possible selection,” he explains. “We purchase it outright.” << Thats funny, the watches all had appro tickets on them..

[drockadam]

DINO! You forgot to pick me up from Heathrow, the other day!!!

Great pics mate, beautiful watches! I never knew you can take out that many watches at a time. I've only ever taken one out at a time!

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by drockadam

DINO! You forgot to pick me up from Heathrow, the other day!!!

Great pics mate, beautiful watches! I never knew you can take out that many watches at a time. I've only ever taken one out at a time!

Sorry mate!! Ooooopss, totally slipped my mind..


Yes they are very good, letting you try muliple pieces on, security was very very high..

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by Sean.c

If you have any other pictures to upload don't hesitate ! haha

As requested..!!











These are for you uncle Sam..

[The Joker]

Brilliant thread Dino. I window shop most of the places in the west end almost on a daily basis.

Some of the cars in Mayfair and Kensington are sick. Saw that mclaren on the road today for the first time, in maroon.

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by The Joker

Brilliant thread Dino. I window shop most of the places in the west end almost on a daily basis.

Some of the cars in Mayfair and Kensington are sick. Saw that mclaren on the road today for the first time, in maroon.

Sweeeet!! Lucky you, I'm only down every once in a while..


Ahhhh cars cars carsss!! I see sooo many supercars on a dailey basis, all of the Utd and City players, always get a wave from a few of them as they starting to recognise me..

[The Joker]

I live near the spurs training ground, see them guys around in their flash cars. We should of been footballers.

[thewatchguy93]

Originally Posted by The Joker

I live near the spurs training ground, see them guys around in their flash cars. We should of been footballers.

... I like your thoughts..

[Bangel]

Love the pics. Thanks for posting.

[Bowlduck]

Great Thread!

[mjclark32]

Awesome, thanks of sharing!

[HL65]

Wow Dino -- amazing watches, cars and time!! Thanks for sharing...

[nick c]

very nice

[dalip]

Awesome Dino. Makes me homesick!

[nauticajoe]

Awesome review Dino! Thanks for sharing.

[RolexWatcher]

Great pics Dino! Miss London and the whole Knightsbridge area! Totally agree, the cars in that area are amazing!

[MY-WATCH]

cool