San Francisco

[BLSampson]

Going to San Francisco in August for vacation. Does anyone know of any good AD's or grey market dealers there?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Hmm. Dunno. Cannot help you out on that one

But say? Are you going to buy a "Whitey" since you also have the "Bluesie"?

Anyway: I wish you a pleasant trip!

[Rubenonfire]

I'm sure Tony or David will be about in a second to answer that for you!

[Tools]

I'm sure they have some lovely pieces there....

[BLSampson]

Originally Posted by Spacedweller

Hmm. Dunno. Cannot help you out on that one

But say? Are you going to buy a "Whitey" since you also have the "Bluesie"?

Anyway: I wish you a pleasant trip!

Just looking. Gotta keep the Bluesie for my wife gave it to me. Might flip the black GMT II. Kinda thinking about an older GMT with the jubilee bracelet. The real reason is that I just like to look. I am quite content with what I have.

I guess us guys are always looking....at something.

[Arturo]

I love San Fran...my New York or Paris of the West. Just delightful in August. But just north is Oregon where there is no sales tax. Remember that.

[OysterDavid]

Originally Posted by BLSampson

Going to San Francisco in August for vacation. Does anyone know of any good AD's or grey market dealers there?

In 'The City' proper, the granddaddy of AD's is Shreve & Co. off of Union Square. Great selection, good sales people, no discounts. There's also a Tourneau in the new Market Street center called Westfield Mall. Great selection, sales people with attitudes and no discounts. There's a couple of pre-owned places...Seregin's located behind Macy's and A&E located in the gift center. Seregin's is a regular retail place, A&E is located in a controlled building and you'll need to call to get in. A&E and Seregin's are both on the web for details...with A&E showing a decent pre-owned selection. Out on the West Side is a Ben Bridge with an OK selection, mall type sales people and tough to get any discounts.

If you're serious about buying a particular model, shoot me an email and I'll pass along some suburban AD's that are likely to be more amenable to selling at less than retail, but none of those are really convenient to the touristy parts of San Francisco and would require some real effort to get to.

Weatherwise, be sure to bring some warm clothes. Remember, it was Mark Twain who said the coldest winter he ever spent was a summer in San Francisco. If the normal weather patterns hold, then the fog will roll in every afternoon with the attendant winds and if all you brought was shorts and tee shirts, you'll find yourself buying the cute Alcatraz sweat shirts to stay warm.

Good luck.

[BLSampson]

Thanks guys for the advice.

[Gaijin]

Take a 1 1/2 hour sidetrip to Portland, 10% discounts and no sales tax. PM me if interested. Great AD here.

[S2000 Driver]

Also bring some hiking boots!

I recently stayed at the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins and to walk anywhere from Nob Hill was like mountain climbing!





And no matter where you are staying, it's definitely worth having a Martini at the Top of the Mark -- best views of the city!

[Jon2168]

There is also an AD on the corner of Stockton and Washington street in the heart of Chinatown. You can probably bargin there and possibly have the watch shipped out of state to save of sales tax. Good luck!!!

Jon

[Arturo]

I love the Mark. I like to have my standard double Johnny Walker Black on the rocks there. But I have twice stayed across the street at the Fairmont for conferences....that is the biggest dowager of an old hotel around. God forbid that thing comes down in an earthquake. But it has the feeling of the great hotels of NYC like the Waldorf or the Plaza. I saw Oscar Peterson play an hour of casual jazz in the bar there one time...he was just there and that was great.

My trad tastes are satisfied in this city...Cable Car Clothier and Brooks and the wonderful theatre district. What is that watch shop in the modern mall off Union where there is a Nordstrom....winding stairs around lots of stores that wind up on escalators??? There is a jeweler on the first floor that I know sold lots of Omegas, but I can't recall if I saw any Rollies.

[Han]

I agree with OysterDavid, I had an awful time at Tourneau. Much better experience at Shreve. Their sales people are very knowledgable.

Once you are ready for the sunnier side of the bay, go to Walnut Creek, there's an AD called Davidson & Licht. Pretty good selection but don't expect discounts .

There are other ADs in the Bay Area but I bought my rollie at KansaiVet's AD in OR.

"I left my heart in San Francisco ....."

[colemanitis]

Originally Posted by Arturo

What is that watch shop in the modern mall off Union where there is a Nordstrom....winding stairs around lots of stores that wind up on escalators??? There is a jeweler on the first floor that I know sold lots of Omegas, but I can't recall if I saw any Rollies.

Torneau, I believe. I'll be in San Fran next January. I can't wait!

[GoldenBear]

I've lived in San Francisco for 25 years (and have been looking at Rolexes that long). My thoughts. I just bought a Breitling Emergency at Tourneau. They are in the new San Francisco Center (Near Bloomingdales, Nordstrom etc, in the new shopping center). They were very helpful and had a huge selection of all brands (of course Rolex, too). They had a promotion that was better than a discount (I thought) zero interest for 2 years. You make 1 payment per month for 2 years. I got a $6000 watch for $250/month.Their current promotion is no interest for 12 months, so maybe they have a discount that is better. I bought my 1st Rolex at Shreve & Co. 17 years ago. They are an old name S.F. Jeweler, located at Post & Grant, near Union Square. They have been advertising high-end watches quite a lot lately. I don't think a discount would be out of the question, even on Rolex. Hope that helps and enjoy our great city. There are a number of other AD's in the city. Many will ship to your state and save the 8.5% sales tax. As good as a discount!!

[Hawaiianbrah]

Originally Posted by Jon2168

There is also an AD on the corner of Stockton and Washington street in the heart of Chinatown. You can probably bargin there and possibly have the watch shipped out of state to save of sales tax. Good luck!!!

Jon

That would be Jade Galore - ask for Claire

[OysterDavid]

It's probably not relevant for those living in New Zealand, Austrailia or the US East Coast, but...

Today and tomorrow, the big retail AD in San Francisco, Shreve's, actually has new, in box Rolex watches going for 20% off, no haggling.

It's not their entire collection, but there were lots of old Air Kings, lots of Datejusts (new model) and a smattering of YM, Day Dates and a ton of ladies model Rolex models.

I think they're dumping the older stock, especially models that are being updated like AK's, Date's and Datejusts that have just been in the store for too long.

Sorry people, no sport models AT ALL. And I don't think they'd be willing to box and ship a phone order...but you never know.

Nothing caught my fancy, but maybe someone out there will find this of use. They say they're having the same sale at their Palo Alto store as well.

Lots of people clustered around the display case, including a few groups of Asian tourists...now how did they find out about the sales event? Oh well, everybody likes a bargain.

[S2000 Driver]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

...Today and tomorrow, the big retail AD in San Francisco, Shreve's, actually has new, in box Rolex watches going for 20% off, no haggling

...now how did they find out about the sales even?

It's posted on their web site:

http://www.shreve.com/store/information.php?info_id=5

[Lubrifar]

If you do visit Shreve & Co., and have few moments to spare, go check out the factory authorized RSC next building on the 7th floor. They did a fantastic job on my 79 DD.

[Arturo]

I went to the website and did not see the 20% thing/////

[OysterDavid]

Originally Posted by Arturo

I went to the website and did not see the 20% thing/////

They're billing it as a Swiss Watch Trade Fair. They've got a vendor in the store today and tomorrow who will 'buy' your current swiss watch and you can apply the value to a trade of a new swiss watch.

I don't think they published that there was/is four display cases with 20% off watches, including the Rolex's...but word sure got out. I was there 15 minutes after opening and I had to politely elbow my way to the cases to view the watches. But that was a few hours ago.

By the way, I did not see any of the new Air Kings or Date models or any of the newly released Datejust dials. I have no idea if they're hiding them in back and using this event to move the old stock or if they just haven't received any yet. Oh, and no new Millgaus either....I'm sure you all feel that's a big surprise!

[Hawaiianbrah]

Originally Posted by OysterDavid

They're billing it as a Swiss Watch Trade Fair. They've got a vendor in the store today and tomorrow who will 'buy' your current swiss watch and you can apply the value to a trade of a new swiss watch.

I don't think they published that there was/is four display cases with 20% off watches, including the Rolex's...but word sure got out. I was there 15 minutes after opening and I had to politely elbow my way to the cases to view the watches. But that was a few hours ago.

By the way, I did not see any of the new Air Kings or Date models or any of the newly released Datejust dials. I have no idea if they're hiding them in back and using this event to move the old stock or if they just haven't received any yet. Oh, and no new Millgaus either....I'm sure you all feel that's a big surprise!

I went there today and they said it ended yesterday

[Rockrolex]

Originally Posted by Arturo

I love the Mark. I like to have my standard double Johnny Walker Black on the rocks there. But I have twice stayed across the street at the Fairmont for conferences....that is the biggest dowager of an old hotel around. God forbid that thing comes down in an earthquake. But it has the feeling of the great hotels of NYC like the Waldorf or the Plaza. I saw Oscar Peterson play an hour of casual jazz in the bar there one time...he was just there and that was great.

My trad tastes are satisfied in this city...Cable Car Clothier and Brooks and the wonderful theatre district. What is that watch shop in the modern mall off Union where there is a Nordstrom....winding stairs around lots of stores that wind up on escalators??? There is a jeweler on the first floor that I know sold lots of Omegas, but I can't recall if I saw any Rollies.

One of the best stays I had in SF was at the Fairmont about 30 years ago. We stayed in the Tower. We were on the 22nd floor and our view looked north with a panorama from the Golden Gate bridge on the west to the Oakland Bay bridge on the east, and of course, the Bay, Alcatraz, Sausalito and Tiburon to the north. Couldn't ask for a better view then.

[GoldenBear]

Thought I heard it announced on the radio today...