OF members new watch boutique in London - Tortoise Watches

Over the years on a few GTG I have met Arwind @wristpirate who is a super guy and well respected collector.
A few months back he realised his dream and set up a watch Boutique. It is in London near Bond Street tube at the Grays Antique Market. I was there again this week, a lovely selection of watches presented by a true and very honest enthusiast. He is also making a collaboration with the respected watchmaker Simon Freese who is in the shop some days. If you contact Arwind that is another way to reach Simon and possibly a more convenient way to collect or drop off watches. It’s great Simon has some extra support and nice to have his expert eye at the shop. A win for all of us hopefully.
Many of you will know Simon is a fantastic watchmaker with a strong understanding of vintage pieces, and nobody works harder.
I have no commercial link, I am just really pleased to see a venture taking off which has the ethos of the hobby and community at the heart. We miss that at times these days. If you are in London it is well worth a visit for a chat, with no pressure to buy anything. Also of course the Clock Makers Museum (in the Science Museum) is free to visit and just a 5 minutes tube ride away (you do need to pre-book a ticket). I have snuck in two photos below but I think you will guess those ;0)

https://tortoisewatches.com/

Thanks @Omegafanman !

Getting a vintage watch shop up and running with a physical store front was a long time aspiration of mine.

It has been a long journey and to be honest quite nerve racking going against the trend of online only dealing. For me it has worked out well and seems to take up most of my time. The support from the community I have felt has been pretty immense and I am ever so grateful to everyone for the kind words and for those who have been able to make the visit into town.

Finally I can tell my wife I was truthful that one day I would sell those watches 😉

I’m just going to say this, I reckon you should get a liquor license and add a bar. There need to be more boutiques that are also drinking opportunities. Come, get drunk, wake up in your bathtub with a new watch. Great approach imo.

Huge congrats on this!

Congratulations on opening your boutique. I wish you all the best.

Best of fortune to you. London really needs a shop as legit as yours. Lotsa posers as I recall.

I'm such an enabler I dont think the booze is necessary.

But I'll put a bottle of gin in my drawer for when you visit 😁