I thought I'd share some pictures from today's lunch time walk and visit to "Pride and Pinion" - a recent arrival to my capital city. Just to say up front - I've no affiliation to the shop, haven't even bought from them (yet)... just wanted to show you all what an absolute GEM of a shop this is to those of us who cant get enough of good watches.
The shop is located inside "The Vault" - which as the name suggests, is the old bank vault at the heart of what was the Ulster Bank headquarters, built in the mid-nineteenth century. A refurb in 2006 transformed the old bank into "The Merchant Hotel". A small, exclusive venue. Personally, I find the building breathtaking inside. How on earth do we NOT build stuff like this nowadays..... it's art.
A snap of the exterior on my way in:
.... and on passing through the inner doors, you are met with THIS!!
(Random fact: that's the largest chandelier in Ireland, made by Tyrone Crystal)
I must go back some day to just sit down and enjoy a bit of time and a coffee here. Places like this are special. Incidentally... if you're flush (aka lottery winner!), the Merchant serves up a world record holder - the world's most expensive cocktail! Its a mai tai made with hand-cut Fijian ice and rare Wray & Nephew rum, for £750. Just so you are clear.. thats SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY A GLASS
Now... take a right, into the bar, through into the back hall... turn left... and ahead of you is the barred gate of "The Vault":
Enter.... and you're met with cabinets FULL of the good stuff! Note a rack of fine whiskeys, gins and beverages to enjoy while you're here! This is the only photo thats NOT mine, but its a belter of a shot so I wanted to include it:
What really makes this place for me is that the shop is clearly a passion for the owner and staff. They post daily on their Instagram page which I'll link at the end of this post. I thoroughly enjoy their banter and get a smile most days, breaking the boredom of work. Its refreshing... Tuesdays at 9pm brings us an Instagram live feed for an hour, entitled "Watches and Bolex" (pronounced Boll*cks!) which is entertaining to say the least!
So, I'll wind up now... and show you a few of the cabinets. These are just a few random shots I took of things that caught my eye. A lovely line up of vintage Daytonas.... some BEAUTIFUL IWC's... and for me, a stonking DSOTM ceramic Speedmaster - new with tickets still on. Damn..... I love that thing... and it's now on my "to do" list!!!
If you like the look of any of these and want close ups or macros, just shout up. I'll happily have any excuse to go back in next week and take some snaps for you. Well worth adding to your list of places to come see if any of you are on this side of the Irish Sea (or coming up from the South of Ireland).
LINKS:
Website: https://prideandpinion.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prideandpinion/ or @prideandpinion
Also... Nico's personal feed: https://www.instagram.com/nicoleonard87/ or @nicoleonard87
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXP...yV6Y-0PZecwBLw
The Merchant: https://www.themerchanthotel.com/
And the pics.....
The one that I'm smitten with....