Welcome back to an aBlogtoWatch original series, where we discuss important stores that sell watches all over the world. Each store we profile has an interesting story to tell about where they operate and who they sell to. Whether you buy watches from brick and mortar retailers or prefer to buy watches online, these are the stores that help shape our watch culture around the globe. There is a long list of stores to cover, but if there is a retail location in your favorite city that we simply can’t miss, let us know in the comments below.
Where to buy watches in Greenwich, Connecticut?
When most watch lovers hear “Greenwich,” they often think of Greenwich, England which is home to the Royal Observatory and the Prime Meridian (hence GMT being Greenwich Mean Time). But if you are an affluent watch lover in the greater New York City area, you might instead think, “that’s where I live.” Normally you would not expect to find a high end watch store in a quiet town of 62 thousand. But as a desirable community (rated in July 2005 by Money magazine as 1st on its list of the 100 Best Places to Live in the United States) within 40 minutes of midtown Manhattan, Greenwich, Connecticut and the surrounding area has more than its share of watch lovers. And the local store to indulge their passion is Manfredi of Greenwich, Ltd. Roberto Manfredi has operated Manfredi Jewels in downtown Greenwich since 1988. I had the pleasure of sitting across the table from Roberto at a dinner at BaselWorld 2014 (but too far apart to chat with him at that time).
aBlogtoWatch: What types of watches are popular in your market? What makes Greenwich a unique place to buy watches?
Manfredi Jewels: Greenwich is a unique place to buy watches because the clients here are world-travelers who are very aware of the newest inventions and innovations in the watch industry. For this reason, not only do they know renowned, well-established brands such as Vacheron Constantin, Brequet, and Audemars Piguet, but also brands such as F.P. Journe, Richard Mille, Laurent Ferrier, etc. Our client has a tendency to buy more classical dress watches. Even the majority of sports watches we sell have a somewhat conservative feel to them.
ABTW: What would you tell watch lovers in other cities that watch lovers in Greenwich like?
Manfredi Jewels: Most of our clients are very open to take a serious look at newer innovations and technologies, but are also very receptive to our vintage watch selection, where you can find some amazing deals.
ABTW: Do you serve mostly locals or tourists, or is it a good mix? Also, what percentage of your customers would you call “knowledgeable watch collectors?”
Manfredi Jewels: The majority of our clients live within a forty mile radius of the store. That being said, we have collectors that live around the globe. Probably about 50% of our clients are very savvy about watches and own five watches or more.
ABTW: What is Greenwich best known for? What do visitors have to do, see, or eat while there?
Manfredi Jewels: Greenwich is best known for its amazing quality of life. It is a very laid back, New England community with a three hundred year history. Located on the Long Island Sound, as well as just forty minutes away from midtown Manhattan, visitors have incredible options to enjoy sailing, go to polo matches, visit small island beaches, as well as take day excursions into New York City. The food is as diversified as the population, with a mix of almost every ethnic food you could desire. There is your more traditional Italian and French, as well as many Oriental and Indian fares.
ABTW: As a business, do you sponsor or participate in any local events, watch-related or otherwise?
Manfredi Jewels: We strongly support local charities and events, such as Greenwich Hospital, Kids in Crisis, etc. as well as the Wounded Warrior Project and other similar organizations.
ABTW: What are some of the watch brands you are known for carrying? If you could pick a watch brand or model that epitomizes the culture or style of Greenwich, what would it be?
Manfredi Jewels: Manfredi carries over thirty brands, too many to list individually, but you can visit our website to see the full listing of both watch and jewelry brands. If I had to pick a watch that epitomizes the style of Greenwich, it would be the Vacheron Constanstin Patrimony.
manfredijewels.com