New York City has long been home to some of the best selection of watch boutiques in the country. By the end of 2014, that selection will be significantly better. There are so many watch boutiques on Madison and 5th Avenue, including new and soon-to-open stores, that we had to highlight what we consider one of the best watch shopping destinations in all of North America.

IWC's flagship multi-level NYC boutique is on the corner of 54th and Madison. (535 Madison Ave)
IWC’s flagship multi-level NYC boutique is on the corner of 54th and Madison. (535 Madison Ave)

 

Wempe is an independent watch retailer with a large selection of the best watch brands, located between 54th and 55th on 5th Avenue. (700 5th Ave)
Wempe is an independent watch retailer with a large selection of the best watch brands, located between 54th and 55th on 5th Avenue. (700 5th Ave)

 

The historic Cartier mansion is located between 51st and 52nd streets on 5th Avenue (653 5th Ave). It is under renovation until 2016 (go to 828 Madison).
The historic Cartier mansion is located between 51st and 52nd streets on 5th Avenue (653 5th Ave). It is under renovation until 2016 (go to 828 Madison).

 

Breguet which is owned by the same parent group as Omega, the Swatch Group, is adjacent to Omega's flagship boutique. (711 5th Ave)
Breguet which is owned by the same parent group as Omega, the Swatch Group, is adjacent to Omega’s flagship boutique. (711 5th Ave)

 

Omega's NYC flagship boutique at 711 5th Ave
Omega’s NYC flagship boutique at 711 5th Ave

 

TAG Heuer's flagship boutique, located between 54th and 55th streets on 5th Avenue. (701 5th Ave)
TAG Heuer’s flagship boutique, located between 54th and 55th streets on 5th Avenue. (701 5th Ave)

 

Cellini Jewelers is an independent watch store with an excellent selection of brands. Located in 52nd and 53rd on Madison Avenue. (509 Madison Ave)
Cellini Jewelers is an independent watch store with an excellent selection of brands. Located in 52nd and 53rd on Madison Avenue. (509 Madison Ave)

 

Located on the street level in the Rolex building, this boutique is operated by Wempe. (665 5th Ave)
Located on the street level in the Rolex building, this boutique is operated by Wempe. (665 5th Ave)

 

The Tourneau Concept store is located in between 52nd and 53rd streets on Madison Avenue. (510 Madison Ave)
The Tourneau Concept store is located in between 52nd and 53rd streets on Madison Avenue. (510 Madison Ave)

 

The Officine Panerai flagship store is located between 54th and 55th streets on Madison Avenue. (545 Madison Ave)
The Officine Panerai flagship store is located between 54th and 55th streets on Madison Avenue. (545 Madison Ave)

 

The Montblanc boutique is located between 57th and 58th streets on Madison Avenue. (600 Madison Ave)
The Montblanc boutique is located between 57th and 58th streets on Madison Avenue. (600 Madison Ave)

 

The flagship Vacheron Constantin boutique is two-levels and in located between 63rd and 64th streets on Madison Avenue. (729 Madison Ave)
The flagship Vacheron Constantin boutique is two-levels and in located between 63rd and 64th streets on Madison Avenue. (729 Madison Ave)

 

The flagship Bulgari boutique is located between 56th and 57th streets on 5th Avenue. (730 5th)
The flagship Bulgari boutique is located between 56th and 57th streets on 5th Avenue. (730 5th)

 

The Harry Winston boutique is located between 55th and 56th streets on 5th Avenue. (718 5th Ave)
The Harry Winston boutique is located between 55th and 56th streets on 5th Avenue. (718 5th Ave)

 

Situated adjacent to Apple's 59th and 5th Ave flagship store, this temporary Cartier store could become permanent. (767 5th Ave.)
Situated adjacent to Apple’s 59th and 5th Ave flagship store, this temporary Cartier store could become permanent. (767 5th Ave.)

 

Madison Avenue Watch Boutiques

509 Madison Ave – Cellini Jewelers

510 Madison Ave – Seiko

510 Madison Ave – Tourneau

510 Madison Ave – Rolex (operated by Tourneau)

535 Madison Ave – IWC

545 Madison Ave – Officne Panerai

600 Madison Ave – Montblanc

624 Madison Ave – Porsche Design

635 Madison Ave – Raymond Weil

692 Madison Ave – Hublot

701 Madison Ave – Jaeger-LeCoultre (opening 2014)

721 Madison Ave – FP Journe

729 Madison Ave – Vacheron Constantin

785 Madison Ave – A. Lange & Sohne

828 Madison Ave – Cartier

888 Madison Ave – Ralph Lauren

5th Avenue Watch Boutiques

611 5th Ave – Cartier (inside Saks Fifth Avenue)

645 5th Ave – Blancpain

653 5th Ave – Cartier (mansion under renovation until 2016, go to 767 5th Ave)

665 5th Ave – Rolex (operated by Wempe)

666 5th Ave – Tissot

700 5th Ave – Wempe

701 5th Ave – TAG Heuer

711 5th Ave – Breguet

711 5th Ave – Omega

718 5th Ave – Harry Winston

730 5th Ave – Bulgari

730 5th Ave – Piaget

744 5th Ave – Van Cleef & Arpels

767 5th Ave – Cartier (currently open in place of 653 5th Ave)

There are also a lot of other good watch stores nearby, including: Kenjo (57th Ave), Tourneau Time Machine (57th Ave), Audemars Piguet (57th Ave), Breitling (57th Ave), Bovet (50 Central Park South) and Ulysse Nardin (50 Central Park South).

In addition, the NYC Headquarters for the world’s best auction houses are also located in this shopping district: Sotheby’s, Christie’s, Bonhams, Antiquorum and Auctionata.

The bottom line, is that in relatively small area, beginning from 51st Street at either Madison or Fifth Avenues, up to 69th Street, you can shop from an absolutely amazing selection of watches. The assortment carried in these flagship boutiques is much broader than a typical watch store will carry. Moreover, if your local store is missing a specific watch model from a brand you are interested in, chances are good that you can see it in-person on Madison or Fifth.

Posted by:Jason Pitsch

Jason is a writer and photographer who founded Professional Watches to share his passion for watches.