Horology On The Hudson: Inside Watches of Switzerland’s New Hudson Yards Boutique

Hudson Yards is big - really big. Twenty-six acres, to be exact, a massive complex of ultra-modern apartments, office space, and luxury shopping. Sitting prominently front and center is Watches of Switzerland’s boutique, literally at the front door of the whopping retail complex. Hudson Yards had been a derelict area in New York for decades, but, we’re happy to report, not any longer. It’s a place to wine and dine, and most important of all, shop for watches.
 

Like its sister store on Soho’s Greene Street, Watches of Switzerland’s new space is filled with natural light and has lots of room to browse. Trying on watches is encouraged, so if you’ve dreamed of slipping a Vacheron Constantin Overseas or a Franck Muller Master Banker on your wrist (and maybe snapping a wristi), it can happen in real life. Add a full-service bar into the mix with custom cocktails, and it’s a place that you’ll never want to leave. It’s a hot spot, sure to draw a hip crowd. Watches of Switzerland has their finger on the pulse of New York’s watch community.
 

This monumental watch combines Jaeger-LeCoultre’s legendary movement making with artistry of the highest order on the dial. The watch’s orbital flying tourbillon moves subtly in a full 360 degree rotation every 24 hours, and the mapped dial moves right along with it. Both mesmerizing and enchanting, the watch has quickly become a treasured “grail” piece among collectors, and it’s easy to see why. To top it off, the watch is encased in platinum, adding to its rarity and preciousness. $148,000 USD
 

Echoing the spirit of technical refinement in the Concorde, Bremont is offering this watch with a manual wind movement, the brand’s first. And the watch incorporates parts of an actual Concorde, with an aluminum decorative ring sourced from the last Concorde in operation. For aviation buffs as well as avid collectors, it’s a rare opportunity to own a part of history. $22,495
 

Watches of Switzerland’s clients are interested in vintage timepieces as well as new. For collectors of vintage, it’s imperative to trust the source of the timepiece and its provenance, and Analog/Shift’s team of experts authenticate every timepiece they offer.  Because these watches have limited availability in the marketplace, collectors know to snap up their favorites quickly before they’re sold.
 

Analog/Shift’s founder James Lamdin told us the story of the legendary “Evil Nina” watch. “Universal Genève is a Swiss brand rich in history and has become the darling of vintage watch collectors over the past several years. Known primarily for their exquisite mid-century chronograph designs, models such as this ‘Evil Nina’ chronograph offer tremendous style and quality with sporty designs (not to mention the exceptional Valjoux 72 movement) at an amazing value compared to their better-known contemporaries. The ’Nina’ name comes from actress and model Nina Rindt, wife of legendary F1 driver Jochen Rindt, who famously wore the inverse version - known as a ‘Panda’ dial - on a leather cuff strap in the 1960s and 1970s. This version, with its ‘Inverted Panda’ dial layout, has become known as the ‘Evil Nina’ in the collector community - and is every bit as impressive to behold - some would say more so!” $19,500 USD
 

Is it a clock in the shape of a model race car, or a model race car that tells time? It’s both - L’Epee’s mechanical timepiece housed in a superbly detailed and finished model race car. The newest brainchild of the celebrated Swiss manufacture, Time Fast D8 features a digital time display mimicking a race car’s number on the side. The driver’s cockpit is  glass dome, allowing for a full view of the clock’s escapement. For an extra bit of fun, the clock is set by turning the steering. Topping that, winding the clock is as easy as pulling it back like a true mechanical toy car. The D8 is available in blue, green, red, and white. Only 100 of each color will be produced. $30,000 USD
 

(Photography by Liam O'Donnell)