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Thread: The Burlington Arcade

  1. #1

    The Burlington Arcade

    I had some time to kill in London Yesterday, as I had never been there I took a look at the Burlington Arcade, there were a lot of stunning watches, all the names you would expect, however I couldn't believe the prices they were asking, it seemed that every watch was at a premium just waiting for a tourist to turn up with a credit card, or have I just got it wrong

  2. #2

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by adrianw
    it seemed that every watch was at a premium just waiting for a tourist to turn up with a credit card, or have I just got it wrong
    Imo NO! Yes they have some stunning pieces available but there are more than a few that can be found for a much better price in the City.

  3. #3
    Craftsman
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    The Burlington Arcade

    Hi,

    Shop lease fees;
    Insurance;
    Salaries;
    Business rated.

    I suspect these strongly influences margins.

    Thanks,

    Alex

  4. #4
    Grand Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Yep most of it is overpriced but caters for a steady flow of tourists and muppets from the banking sector to pay top dollar + for something they dont understand and simply want to wear at Costa Coffee, Liverpool Street to impress their mates on the lunch hour
    RIAC

  5. #5
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    My experience of the Arcade is that it's a good place to browse but the things they sell can generally be had for a lot less. For the money rich/time poor brigade it serves a purpose but I have very rarely bought there (usually small items from the pen shop).

  6. #6

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Where would anyone recommend for browsing used watches at reasonable prices (area rather than single shop if possible)?

  7. #7
    Grand Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Mondays at Covent Garden can be ok but you really have to be on your toes. There are a few places hiding in Hatton Garden too.

    As for the Burlington Arcade, I love it, but I just treat it as a museum as the prices are silly. I know this is taking the piss, but they started it!

  8. #8

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I love the Arcade, I can get lost in there for an hour drooling over watches that i'll never afford, especially at their prices! Still, a cool place to visit if you have time on your hands.

  9. #9
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I bought a leather attache case there on a whim, one Saturday afternoon. £475, and I've hardly used it. Never bought anything from the watch shop in there but often spent a happy few minutes staring at the window display.

  10. #10
    Grand Master Chinnock's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Muppet rates :lol:
    “Don’t look back, you’re not heading that way.”

  11. #11
    Master hugo2703's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt
    Mondays at Covent Garden can be ok but you really have to be on your toes. There are a few places hiding in Hatton Garden too.
    What happens at Covent Garden on Monday mornings?

    THX

  12. #12
    Grand Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by hugo2703
    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt
    you really have to be on your toes.
    What happens at Covent Garden on Monday mornings?

    THX

    Ballet?
    RIAC

  13. #13
    Master hugo2703's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by 100thmonkey
    Quote Originally Posted by hugo2703
    Quote Originally Posted by M4tt
    you really have to be on your toes.
    What happens at Covent Garden on Monday mornings?

    THX

    Ballet?

    Aaaaaaaaaa, i see. Haha

  14. #14
    Master dickbrowne's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Another vote here for Hatton Garden - find a shop called the Heart of Hatton Garden, wander around the ground floor, feel a little deflated (esp. by the one stall which seems to specialise in fakes), then find the stairs and head down to the basement. Mmmm, nice watches at good prices - say hi to Samir for me, he's got a great collection of Omega's (and others), and is always happy to make a WIS happy with a good deal. Pandelli also usually has a number of old Omega's, amongst others. There's also another chap, whose name escapes me, he's Middle Eastern, with a moustache, works in the corner opposite Samir and I've bought a few watches from him.

    Great buying experience, and a friendly atmosphere.

    If Hatton Garden doesn't provide your fix and empty your wallet, head onto the Clerkenwell Road. There's a couple of vintage watch shops there, and also Gleave and Co who can provide you with all the bits you need to fix those old watches you've just bought :)

    Burlington is good for a laugh - the Omega shop there were selling an Omega 60 at £1800 last time I was there, cracked bezel, non-original box and all. I'd just paid £650 for one without a box, but with a perfect bezel, in timewarp condition. A used box cost another £30 from a watch fair. The real cracker though was the Railmaster at £17,000 (yup, you read that right). How much is their rent and rates? Not that much, I reckon.

  15. #15

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Pricey but good for window shopping

  16. #16

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    DB, any chance of posting the name or number/street for Samir and his shop.

    I use a place called Bib's whenever I need a stone re-setting or polishing.

    Fish

  17. #17

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by dickbrowne
    Another vote here for Hatton Garden - find a shop called the Heart of Hatton Garden, wander around the ground floor, feel a little deflated (esp. by the one stall which seems to specialise in fakes), then find the stairs and head down to the basement. Mmmm, nice watches at good prices - say hi to Samir for me, he's got a great collection of Omega's (and others), and is always happy to make a WIS happy with a good deal. Pandelli also usually has a number of old Omega's, amongst others. There's also another chap, whose name escapes me, he's Middle Eastern, with a moustache, works in the corner opposite Samir and I've bought a few watches from him.

    Great buying experience, and a friendly atmosphere.

    If Hatton Garden doesn't provide your fix and empty your wallet, head onto the Clerkenwell Road. There's a couple of vintage watch shops there, and also Gleave and Co who can provide you with all the bits you need to fix those old watches you've just bought :)

    Burlington is good for a laugh - the Omega shop there were selling an Omega 60 at £1800 last time I was there, cracked bezel, non-original box and all. I'd just paid £650 for one without a box, but with a perfect bezel, in timewarp condition. A used box cost another £30 from a watch fair. The real cracker though was the Railmaster at £17,000 (yup, you read that right). How much is their rent and rates? Not that much, I reckon.
    Thanks for this - very useful, might visit over Easter :)

  18. #18
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I've always found the Heart of Hatton Garden to be full of overpriced junk, some of it slightly suspicious. Well, I say "full of" but the only times I've been in there it's been around a dozen watches over a couple of stands - mostly Datejusts and things like that that. You can also buy used G10s there for >150 - Nato included, though... There is a decent watch guy at the back, though - I've used him for a couple of small jobs (resetting hands etc) and he's been quick, competent and cheap.

    For the money rich/time poor brigade it serves a purpose but I have very rarely bought there (usually small items from the pen shop).
    That's it's strength, I suppose. If I absolutely needed to have a 6538 Sub on my wrist by lunchtime today, regardless of the cost, there's probably nowhere in else in London where you can do that.

  19. #19
    Grand Master GraniteQuarry's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    The best thing about Burlington Arcade is the Ladurée cake shop at the Piccadilly end! Get yourselves in there and buy a pistachio macaroon, the best £3 you'll spend :D

  20. #20

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    The Burlington Arcade may be overpriced etc etc etc
    but it's still a far better place to buy a watch than the
    truly awful 'Watchclub' around the corner off Bond street....

    on a different note- it is worth a quick browse in the Piaget shop on Bond Street,
    they have some 'one off' watches in a room upstairs...one I saw was £1.4m- OK for a daily beater.

  21. #21

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    There was a story in the news last year that the Burlington Arcade had been sold for over £100 million and that the buyers wanted to bring in a different mix of shops with more aimed at women....so not sure how long all the watch shops will last.

  22. #22

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Perhaps your supposed to ask for a discount?

  23. #23

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by AndySquirrel
    Perhaps your supposed to ask for a discount?
    +1 for this. I haven't bought a watch from the Burlington Arcade but have bought jewellery there. When I first went in they said "there's not much we can do on the price for this". When it came to buying it I got a pretty good discount.

  24. #24
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Most of these shops buy stock from eBay and sell them on for 3 times as much, I know I have sold to a few to them before.
    Some watch buyers would rather brag about where they bought their watch from and wouldn't know the going rate for the watch they have bought. " Yes I bought it from the Burlington Arcade" sounds to some people a bit better than " I bought it off of eBay" but thats where some of these watches come from. Good luck to these watch shops, if someone is happy to pay the high prices and won't shop around or do a bit of research they must be able to afford it. Plus rent and other overheads must be pretty high too at these shops, someone has to pay for these!
    I love to look in these watch shops but realise the prices are well out of my reach.
    Cheers Mick

  25. #25

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I sometimes walk down to Burlington Arcade during my lunch break. It must house the most expensive watch shops in the country. I got chatting to one of the owners who basically told me that he wouldn't give much discount on anything as there were plenty of people around who don't even ask the price, let alone for a discount!!!

    What shops could you recommend on Clerkenwell Road. I've only used WTC Watch Repairers near there and can highly recommend them :)

  26. #26

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    You can definetly bargain at the vintage Omega store, I was trying a watch on and I went to say: 'you do your research on the internet but they are more impressive when you try them' and the guy stopped me at 'you do your research on the internet' and said 'did I say £4200? We can help you with that price'.

  27. #27
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I was up The Burlington today and all I can say is 'Mental'

    Panerai 127 - £16500!

    Plus many more vintage overpriced bits of tat with little men in fancy suits that cant even bend down to polish their shoes they have a little man do it for £8!
    RIAC

  28. #28
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Please excuse my ignorance, I'm in town only once a month these days; Paddington and Farringdon Station, walking through Hatton Garden on my way to Holborn Circus.

    Where is Burlington Arcade?

    I feel I need to pay it a visit to have a look.

    Thanks all

  29. #29
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Just off Piccadilly, look for a lot of well dressed rather dull individuals and turn left
    RIAC

  30. #30
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by 100thmonkey
    Just off Piccadilly, look for a lot of well dressed rather dull individuals and turn left

    :lol:
    Thanks Kerry.

  31. #31

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Where would anyone recommend for browsing used watches at reasonable prices (area rather than single shop if possible)?
    Try the Admiral Vernon centre on Portobello Road on a Saturday, there`s usually a number of dealers in there with an interesting selection of vintage watches, but not at Burlington Arcade prices!
    They are knowledgeable and helpful and are keen to do a deal. Have fun.

  32. #32

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by 100thmonkey

    little men in fancy suits that cant even bend down to polish their shoes they have a little man do it for £8!
    kinell is that how much he charges,

  33. #33
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    £8 :o . Blimey, its less in Selfridges!

    Interestly more watch shops have sprung up the in the last 2/3 years.

    Armour & Winston and David Duggan have been there years are reasonably friendly but a tad overpriced. The Vintage Rolex shop is interesting if you are after something very specific (old) but very expensive.

    But hey if you are cash rich/time poor and unemcumbered with a sense of value then please pay them a visit!

    The new boys Heming have a very good selection but seem terribly overpriced. More worryingly they seem to think that by displaying loads of watches with that protective shrink wrap will help sales? :?

    Otherwise best stick to TZ UK S/C. Your watch will eventually come up and at a lot less £ and you'll probably even make a friend out of it!

    P.S. Agree with comments about Watchclub. Steer clear, an unpleasant experience allround.

  34. #34
    Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    The Arcade is great for window shopping to see all your favourite watches in the metal. Nearly all the shops are friendly - David Duggan for example was happy to let me try on a variety of watches from the outset even 'though I had made it perfectly clear I wasn't buying. The vintage Rolex store is a great place to see some wonderful old Subs, Sea Dwellers and Explorers, but of course the prices are laughable for us mere mortals.

    One of the jewellers in the arcade gave my wife's engagement ring a free steam clean just before our wedding day some years ago and charged me peanuts to resize my wedding ring.

    Prices are high as a reflection of the area and overseas visitors with money to spend.

    I'd echo the comments about Watch Club round the corner - avoid - unfriendly, intimidating and condescending in my opinion.

    Jura watches are well worth a visit at the end of the arcade at 3 Burlington Gardens - friendly, some different brands such as B*****t and Sinn & perfect hosts as well - they held a very nice Grand Seiko evening a while back which was attended by quite a few TZ-UK members.

  35. #35
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Keep hearing about the arcade but have never been, will now make it a priority for a wonder next time I'm in town with time to spare :)

    In regards to areas for watches then I have no clue but a nice individual shop (to me at least) is Autin Kaye on the Strand, just along from the Savoy and less than 10 minutes walk from Covent Garden tube. Not cheap by any means but im very happy with my recent Omega purchase from there. Got to try it on, tell them id think about it and wandered off to Jessops for a poke around and I went back and they were very polite and knowledgeable, let me look at it again and I bought it :) First experience of a higher end brand watch and its a pleasure.

    Rgds

  36. #36
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    After posting on this thread couldn't resist a lunchtime visit.

    Still lots of lovely overpriced watches. So no change there.

    You'll be pleased to hear the shoe shine service is only £4 so no issue there!

    Its definately moving more upmarket if thats the correct word since the property changed hands but I have to say I'm even less likely to buy a watch there now!

  37. #37

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Good for a browse and a trying on session as there will be pretty much everything you might want in there.

    However, you will pay a serious premium and it's really for people who want vintage and authenticity in the same way you can walk in off the street and buy a newbie. And to be fair, it's that demand and willingness to pay for what you want that is pushing up vintage of all descriptions.

    I am currently on the hunt for a 61 5512 and that is part of the fun and enjoyment - hunting a Minty Grail. Burlington Arcade had one there and then for a snip at £22k with no papers or anything else. And to make me feel better, they brought out an Explorer dial Sub that was.....wait for it.....£120k !!! Now clearly I bought them both and went on my merry way :wink:

  38. #38

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by GraniteQuarry
    The best thing about Burlington Arcade is the Ladurée cake shop at the Piccadilly end! Get yourselves in there and buy a pistachio macaroon, the best £3 you'll spend :D
    Better still try the salted caramel!

  39. #39
    Master stoneyloon's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I'll have my first look in by when I'm down next week......

  40. #40
    Master dougjim8's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by dickbrowne
    Another vote here for Hatton Garden - find a shop called the Heart of Hatton Garden, wander around the ground floor, feel a little deflated (esp. by the one stall which seems to specialise in fakes), then find the stairs and head down to the basement. Mmmm, nice watches at good prices - say hi to Samir for me, he's got a great collection of Omega's (and others), and is always happy to make a WIS happy with a good deal. Pandelli also usually has a number of old Omega's, amongst others. There's also another chap, whose name escapes me, he's Middle Eastern, with a moustache, works in the corner opposite Samir and I've bought a few watches from him.

    Great buying experience, and a friendly atmosphere.

    If Hatton Garden doesn't provide your fix and empty your wallet, head onto the Clerkenwell Road. There's a couple of vintage watch shops there, and also Gleave and Co who can provide you with all the bits you need to fix those old watches you've just bought :)

    Burlington is good for a laugh - the Omega shop there were selling an Omega 60 at £1800 last time I was there, cracked bezel, non-original box and all. I'd just paid £650 for one without a box, but with a perfect bezel, in timewarp condition. A used box cost another £30 from a watch fair. The real cracker though was the Railmaster at £17,000 (yup, you read that right). How much is their rent and rates? Not that much, I reckon.

    Rent and rates in Burlington are ridiculous, i checked up on rent there a few years ago out of interested and i was amazed at the price, but then the jewelers there sell diamond rings for hundreds of thousands of pounds, the area has a reputation and it really is shown in the rent, trust me on that one...

    But £17,000 for a railmaster is takeing it to an extreme..

    Also they're selling a soccer timer for £3000 i nearly got one for £650 the other day (given the dial was in need of desperate repair) but it goes to show.

    doug

  41. #41

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    You need a bag full of money for that place all over-priced.

  42. #42
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Popped in yesterday, amazing place and some amazing quality time pieces...flippin mad prices though.

    Went into the certified vintage Omega place at the end and ogling a lovely and unusual square cased 1978 seamaster dress watch...£1750, having a giraffe, but it did look lovely :)

    And the shoe shine is FROM £4, so £8 might not be out of the question :wink:

    Rgds

  43. #43
    Master dickbrowne's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by Fish
    DB, any chance of posting the name or number/street for Samir and his shop.

    I use a place called Bib's whenever I need a stone re-setting or polishing.

    Fish
    Yup, the shop is called The Heart of Hatton Garden, and it's on Hatton Garden. If you go in, bear right about halfway down the store, down the stairs and when you get to the bottom turn hard right, Samir is in the corner next to the stairs.

  44. #44
    Master dickbrowne's Avatar
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by Ninja1980
    I sometimes walk down to Burlington Arcade during my lunch break. It must house the most expensive watch shops in the country. I got chatting to one of the owners who basically told me that he wouldn't give much discount on anything as there were plenty of people around who don't even ask the price, let alone for a discount!!!

    What shops could you recommend on Clerkenwell Road. I've only used WTC Watch Repairers near there and can highly recommend them :)
    I always take a look in the Antique Watch Shop (http://www.antiquewatchcouk.com/) and the other one, just over the road and to the right a bit is the Watch Service Centre (http://www.allinlondon.co.uk/directory/1206/8479.php)

    Both worth a look, although I've never actually bought anything in either :)

  45. #45
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    Quote Originally Posted by holmefield
    Hi,

    Shop lease fees;
    Insurance;
    Salaries;
    Business rated.

    I suspect these strongly influences margins.

    Thanks,

    Alex
    I think thats an excuse. They charge opportunist prices, because they have passing trade with money falling out of their pockets.

  46. #46

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I have just returned home to the Midlands after doing the London tour. The only thing I brought back with me is sore feet and the train broke down on the way home!
    I suppose the highlight is Bond Street and the Burlington Arcade with all of the second hand watches. All of the places selling new watches are much the same. I can see them in my local AD anytime. The assistants in Harrods are always ken to have a chat.
    Grays antique market has a few dealers with interesting stock. I could see that Second Time Around had an unworn SD with the stickers in place.
    There was not not much that I took a fancy to as lots of polishing has been going on in the main preowned places with the bracelets taking a real beating in an attempt to make them appear new again.
    I suppose my biggest disappointment was at Armor Winston where there was an F serial 16610LV - one of the first. The bezel was too green and the 4 of 40 just came to a point like the font on here. Obviously a late model insert had been fitted that removed originality. Maybe beware if you have an early model LV and you need a new bezel insert. Is it possible to specify the original colour and font style with Rolex?
    I wish that prices would be displayed so you can make an informed judgement rather than the assistant sizing you up and then coming up with the price after you have asked.

    On another note I always like to try out new venues and so I made the trek to The Heart of Hatton Garden, found the watch sellers stalls but the sellers were absent. Looked at the mediocre offerings and then left!!
    I am sorry to spoil the party here but I expected better, maybe with the sort of stock level displayed at Second Time Around!

    On a final note the vintage watch shop in Burlington have a 20% discount sale at the moment but why are most of the watches displayed on leather straps?

    Cheers,
    Peter

  47. #47
    Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I think the so-called 20% discount at the Vintage Rolex store is pretty much a permanent thing.

    The Heart of Hatton Garden will have been fairly dead as a result of the Passover festival this week.

  48. #48
    Master
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I went into london to do a trade a few days ago with my 1665 and the buyer took me for a look in the arcade and the prices are nothing short of a p~~take ,now don t get me wrong i know they need to make a living but £6/7 k for a 5513 on a leather strap and £16k for a 1665 i think it must ve been a b/p set surely .I looked at the fella who had just took the peachy 1665 off me and said how much if that was in the window ? .The thing is as well be interesting if you offered them a nice vintage piece what the price would be ? my guess is not a lot ,as my mate says tourist prices unless you get lucky .

  49. #49

    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I work just around the corner from hatton Garden. Will have to go and check this out when it is a bit busier. Thanks for the info!

  50. #50
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    Re: The Burlington Arcade

    I may have mentioned this, but the couple of times that I've been in the Heart of Hatton Garden the watches on show have been absolute junk, with the occasional overpriced semi-interesting one. I've got more interesting watches tucked under my bed, to be honest.

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