『MASTER'S COLUMN』 Etiquette at Luxury Watch Stores

Good evening everyone.

The intense heat is gradually calming down, and the breeze is especially pleasant in the mornings and evenings. Autumn is just around the corner. I'm sure there are more and more people who are thinking, "I want to go buy a watch." (laughs)

Today, for those people, as the title suggests, I would like to talk a little about "etiquette at luxury watch stores."

So, I want to get straight to the point, but first, everyone!!!

[You might feel nervous when you go to a luxury watch store for the first time, right?]

[If you've been there before, were you nervous?]

[And there are still people who get nervous, right?]

I often hear people say things like, "Is it okay to go home without buying anything?", "I would feel embarrassed if I didn't have the knowledge...", and "Are there some unspoken rules?"

This time, we will thoroughly dispel such worries and, starting with those who are thinking, "I want to go buy a watch," we will not only help you have a fun experience at a luxury watch store, but also briefly explain some smart etiquette, so we hope you will enjoy until the end.

What is "etiquette at a luxury watch store"?

Luxury watch stores are places where you can be overwhelmed by the atmosphere and feel, and you hesitate to enter. This is a phenomenon that can occur in many genres, not just watches.

"I went right up to the front, but then just looked at the interior through the window and walked right past..."

I'm sure everyone has had this experience at least once. At times like that, I think everyone feels like there must be some "easy-to-understand manners"...

Well, there's no point in writing so I'll just give you the conclusion.

"Etiquette at a Luxury Watch Store"

There is no such thing!!!

First of all, I want you to think about this. The more expensive the purchase, the

Look, worry, look, worry, look, worry... You can't really make a purchase unless you feel like you won't regret it, right?

Whether it's a house, a car, or even fine dining, I think people would do thorough research and then go about making a purchase. That's only natural. So you can just casually enter a store without worrying about manners.

however!!

As you would expect from a luxury watch, there are some tips and tricks you can know to make you feel smart and like you've made a good purchase .

Let me give you some examples.

Watch knowledge

The first thing I would like to tell you is about "knowledge of watches."

As I mentioned earlier, there are many people who think, "It's embarrassing if you don't have knowledge." And there are also many people who act like they know everything. (laughs)

Luxury watches come in a variety of designs, from simple to those equipped with a variety of functions, but all of them are basically made up of complex mechanisms.

Therefore, when purchasing a product, you should not be thinking, "I don't know its functions," "I don't know what kind of maintenance it requires," or "How should I use it?"

In short, the most important thing is to honestly say that you don't understand something and ask for instruction.

As the saying goes, "Let the experts do their best," but this is the most important job of a shop assistant. (laughs)

On the other hand, it is better not to buy from a store clerk or shop that cannot answer your questions. Luxury watches are not cheap. It is best to buy from a store or clerk you can trust. In order to confirm that trust, you should ask a lot of questions.

How to care for your watch

Next is "How to take care of your watch." The first thing you should keep in mind is to "treat your watch with care ." It's difficult to simply say "treat your watch with care," so I'll give you a few points. By the way, these are very important points, so I recommend that you remember them all.

① When touching (trying on) a watch, remove all accessories.

The price of a luxury watch can vary greatly depending on whether or not it has scratches and the degree of damage. In particular, accessories are highly likely to get scratched by coming into contact with the watch. For this reason, be sure to remove them before touching (trying on) the watch.

When a customer asks, "May I see these?" and then "quickly" removes their accessories, I can't help but feel that they are "smart!" and "know what they're doing!"

② Place the watch with the crown (including the pushers) facing up.

This is similar to the previous point, but it is a very important point. The crown (including the pusher) is not just a decoration, but has various functions. Therefore, if it is subjected to too much strain, it may cause a malfunction.

When customers finish looking at the watch and then return it to the tray, they casually and gently place the crown side (including the pusher) facing up, which I think is also very smart!

3) For new or unused items, just hold them on your wrist! Trying them on is not allowed!!

Next, we will talk about new and unused items. (*This does not include official stores.) Secondary retailers clearly state the condition of each watch. And that condition is a very important point when it comes to sales.

You may have heard the term "deadstock" before, and that is exactly what it means. Items that are out of production and will not be produced in the future are especially valuable.

We understand the feeling of wanting to say, "You won't know unless you try it on!", but it's best to hold back that urge and ask smartly, "Can I take a guess?"

Go with plenty of time

Next, let's talk about "time." Shopping for a luxury watch generally takes longer than regular shopping. As mentioned above, it is important to thoroughly explain the watch's functions, how to handle it, how to store it, and how to maintain it. Also, for watches with bracelets rather than leather straps, it takes time to adjust the size.

Luxury watches can cost hundreds of thousands, even millions, and sometimes even tens of millions of yen. You want to be properly explained about them and see them off at the end, right? (laughs)

In order to make the most of your luxury watch shopping experience and to leave feeling like you made a good purchase, we recommend that you come to the store with plenty of time.

Things you don't need to worry about

Finally, I'll tell you a good point about not having to worry about these things at all.

■Clothing: There is no dress code, so you can wear whatever you like. Many people come in shorts and sandals!

■Speak to them... If you find a staff member who is free, just keep speaking to them. You might think it's hard to talk to them, but the staff are actually waiting for you. (laughs)

■Payment... Cash in one lump sum! It certainly sounds cool, but there are very few people who can pay that way. (laughs) Most people buy houses and cars with loans, right? Throw away any feelings of embarrassment, ask carefully about what payments are available, and then purchase using a payment method that suits you.

summary

These are the tips on "etiquette in luxury watch stores" that will make you look "smart" and make you feel like you made a good purchase. What did you think?

I'm sure there were some of you who said, "I already know about this!", but I think there were also many who said, "This is the first time I've heard of this!"

I've written a lot about it, but

"Please be relaxed and open-minded, treat your watch with care, and arrive with plenty of time."

That's it (laughs)

The store clerks are human beings too. We want to treat honest people with honesty in return. Please use this article as a reference to be "smart" and don't forget to "enjoy" your luxury watch shopping experience.