Visiting San Francisco, Sonoma, Petaluma this week.

[Craigdwh]

First time visiting for me. Travelling from Winnipeg specifically for the Metallica & San Francisco Symphony concerto.

Of course i need to do some watch shopping.

Thinking of spending a full day driving south to visit Carmel by the Sea.

Any watch stores you can recommend to visit or avoid ?

Thanks!!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[woof]

You should visit Kerns in Burlingame. They remodeled a year so they some nice pm selection. Joe Escobar in Campbell. Not a lot of selection but they have a 1964 SS Daytona. I visit them every 2 weeks just to see that watch. Enjoy your stay in my city.

If you want to go to my stores, you should visit Davidson & Leitch in Walnut Creek and Heller in Danville. Both are fantastic AD and helpful staff. It would be a little out of your way but worth it in my opinion.

[othertbone]

Maybe go way south and hit the AD in Tijuana?

[Auto16610]

I would say Fortane in Carmel. Great vintage pre owned. And while your in Carmel you may want to check out the Panerai store called Chatel. Have fun and don't leave any valuables in your car. In San Francisco the bums and junkies have full permission and access to break in your car without any worry. The police have their hands tied unfortunately. But have fun and "Enter Sandman" is my favorite Metallica song!

[Mr.Rolex1]

What kind of watches are you looking for?

[Craigdwh]

Originally Posted by Mr.Rolex1

What kind of watches are you looking for?

Specifically looking for an IWC Portugeiser Perpetual Calender white gold blue dial.

And the Rolex GMT white Gold meteorite.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[csaltphoto]

Definitely Fourtane in Carmel. Has the best selection I have ever seen.

Leave NOTHING in your car in SF. With no penalties and no enforcement for theft, they will literally break into your car just to look around. Many residents have taken to leaving their cars unlocked to save the hassle of broken windows.

[nocaps]

Originally Posted by woof

You should visit Kerns in Burlingame. They remodeled a year so they some nice pm selection. Joe Escobar in Campbell. Not a lot of selection but they have a 1964 SS Daytona. I visit them every 2 weeks just to see that watch. Enjoy your stay in my city.

If you want to go to my stores, you should visit Davidson & Leitch in Walnut Creek and Heller in Danville. Both are fantastic AD and helpful staff. It would be a little out of your way but worth it in my opinion.

joe escobar in campbell, ca is no longer an authorized dealer

[calh22a]

Shreve in Palo Alto Or Kerns in Burlingame.

[klenboy]

There's also Julianna's in Corte Madera. I definitely second D&L in Walnut Creek and Heller in San Ramon.

[greengold]

Originally Posted by Craigdwh

First time visiting for me. Travelling from Winnipeg specifically for the Metallica & San Francisco Symphony concerto.

Of course i need to do some watch shopping.

Thinking of spending a full day driving south to visit Carmel by the Sea.

Any watch stores you can recommend to visit or avoid ?

Thanks!!



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

On our Honeymoon 2017 from UK we went into the dealer in carmel and he had a BLNR I held it etc but didnt buy it..different story now im sure!!

[HansSolo]

Another chime in for Fourtane in Carmel. Was visiting in Feb or March of this year and they had the Sky-Dweller and Daytona in steel both with black dials sitting in their showcase and not preowned! I've never seen anything like it.. It was middle of the week, I think.

[Craigdwh]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

Definitely Fourtane in Carmel. Has the best selection I have ever seen.

Leave NOTHING in your car in SF. With no penalties and no enforcement for theft, they will literally break into your car just to look around. Many residents have taken to leaving their cars unlocked to save the hassle of broken windows.

So some of the "rumors" i've seen on YouTube about San Fran are true, amazing.

I'll be leaving valuables at home and wear one watch.

[Dr. Robert]

Drive a bit north from Petaluma to Santa Rosa, stop into Russian River Brewery, best beer in California.
If you park in San Francisco do not leave anything in the car or trunk! Other than that you’re fine. Eat, drink & be merry. Just don’t expect to buy any Rolex or Tudor watches.
PS probably a good idea to not leave anything in the car wherever you park

[acesguerra]

i agree as well with the statements above, do not leave anything visible in your car in SF.

Kerns in burlingame
HQmilton in SF(mission ) would have to make an appt. no walk ins
Shreve&Co in SF/ Palo Alto
Rolex Boutique in SF ( westfield mall )

[slus]

Definitely Fourtane in Carmel. I've never bought from them, but they've got to be one of the friendliest ADs I've been to. I doubt they have much new stock since the tech bros buy up anything popular within a 100 mile radius of Silicon Valley.

I avoid SF like the plague but that Metallica show sounds awesome, have fun.

[csaltphoto]

Originally Posted by Craigdwh

So some of the "rumors" i've seen on YouTube about San Fran are true, amazing.

I'll be leaving valuables at home and wear one watch.

It has become pretty unbelievable up there. If you are staying at a place with secure parking it is much easier to Uber somewhere than actually trying to drive unless where you are going has secure parking too.

Your car will be safe in Carmel too. If you have time visit the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

[Mr.Jack]

I'd say spend a dayish in SF, but really focus your time in Monterey/Carmel and up north in wine country. Much more beautiful and you don't have to deal with the stench, homeless, look-over-your-shoulder, theft, etc. that comes with SF.

Fourtane in Carmel is top notch, HQMilton may be the best vintage Rolex dealer in the world (in SF) but it may be appointment only now?, and Shreve in Palo Alto/SF always has some heavy hitter Pateks in the safe. If you visit the Shreve in Palo Alto, talk to Thor, he's the man!

Enjoy your stay!

[SS Oyster]

I would stop into Julianne’s (AD) in Corte Madera. They sometimes have some rare pieces.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Setarip]

Originally Posted by acesguerra

i agree as well with the statements above, do not leave anything visible in your car in SF.

Kerns in burlingame
HQmilton in SF(mission ) would have to make an appt. no walk ins
Shreve&Co in SF/ Palo Alto
Rolex Boutique in SF ( westfield mall )

Fourtane in Carmel is interesting, but IMHO somewhat overpriced for vintage. The upside is I believe they scrutinize everything and don't sell junk. I like visiting this shop because there so many vintage pieces you'd be hard pressed to see elsewhere, all in one spot.

Kerns, Burlingame. Ask for Eric Mendell or Anne. (Rolex, Tudor and PP only). By far the best in class service AD in Bay Area.

For IWC you can check out Shreve in PA. Ask for Geoff Souder. Mostly empty cases for Rolexes. Good selection of Tudors. Plenty of IWC.

[jstan9]

Originally Posted by Mr.Jack

I'd say spend a dayish in SF, but really focus your time in Monterey/Carmel and up north in wine country. Much more beautiful and you don't have to deal with the stench, homeless, look-over-your-shoulder, theft, etc. that comes with SF.

Fourtane in Carmel is top notch, HQMilton may be the best vintage Rolex dealer in the world (in SF) but it may be appointment only now?, and Shreve in Palo Alto/SF always has some heavy hitter Pateks in the safe. If you visit the Shreve in Palo Alto, talk to Thor, he's the man!

Enjoy your stay!

And at Shreve in SF (on Post St near union square), ask for jason K or Kim, if jason isn’t available. Shreve is a top notch org and very straight forward. They’re also one of the biggest Rolex resellers in the West, so good to have a relationship with. And they’re very nice people. Always a pleasure to stop by.

[GMTmatt]

Don’t miss Muir Woods and the Marin Headlands.... just north of the city across the Golden Gate Bridge.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

It has become pretty unbelievable up there. If you are staying at a place with secure parking it is much easier to Uber somewhere than actually trying to drive unless where you are going has secure parking too ....

I haven’t been to SF in many years ... sorry to hear.

[Reloko]

Visit CH Premier Jewelers in Santa Clara and Stanford.
Both stores have friendly staff.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Craigdwh]

Was able to visit Fortane today.

Amazing service, Carrie Ann was a real pleasure to deal with it.

They had some spectacular modern Rolex to admire but the vintage was the real treat! Even my wife was mesmerized and interested in the vintage pieces. I quickly pulled her away lol. (That’s the last thing I need);)

Unfortunately the watch I was looking for was not present, I did confirm they had received one this year and did not anticipate another.

To my surprise they had a bluesy in stock.

More then the watches what an amazing beach town! Sitting for some lunch now. Glad we made the drive.

Next up is San Francisco!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk