Jewelry and watches

The 3 Best Jewelry Stores in New York

• There are a little over 4200 jewelry stores in New York, according to the New York City directory. Many of these addresses are small neighborhood jewelry stores, including young designers or vintage shops, offering second-hand jewelry.
• If we stick to the most renowned jewelry stores, head to Midtown, more precisely on the section of 57th street that is located between 5th avenue and 6th avenue. This part is nicknamed the Diamond Row and only concentrates jewelry stores. The 5th avenue displays the big brands. Here are the addresses to remember!

1. Tiffany & Co.

   Tiffany & Co. stands out by far as the most iconic jewelry store in New York. This brand, founded in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany and John B. Young, has evolved from a small fancy goods store to an exceptional jewelry store. The brand’s reputation was boosted in 1961 by the mythical film Breakfast at Tiffany’s with Audrey Hepburn. The flagship store on Fifth Avenue was completely renovated in 2023 and provides a grandiose setting for the brand’s jewelry.

   

   Address: 727 5th Avenue, at the corner of 57th Street.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 57 St.

2. Greenwich St. Jewelers

   Greenwich St. Jewelers was founded in 1976 in the shadow of the Financial District towers. This artisanal boutique creates custom designs. The boutique offers a wide selection of engagement rings and wedding bands. You can even draw and have your personalized ring made.

   Address: 93 Reade Street.

   Neighborhood: TriBeCa.

   Metro: Chambers St.

3. I.D. Jewelry

   If you’re looking to buy jewelry in New York, you absolutely must explore the Diamond Row, a small section of 47th Street that groups together numerous jewelry stores. The Diamond Row is located a stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Center, between Fifth Avenue and 6th Avenue. Among the many boutiques, I.D. Jewelry boasts serious credentials. The boutique is a member of the Diamond Dealers Club and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses.

   Address: 15 West 47th, between Fifth Avenue and 6th Avenue.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 47-50 Sts-Rockefeller Ctr.

The 3 Best Watchmakers in New York

• New York has around 150 to 190 watchmakers, according to various counts established based on customer reviews and phone numbers. There are unfortunately no more precise figures. All the big names in watchmaking are in any case present in New York, notably Rolex (650 Fifth Avenue), Tissot (660 Fifth Avenue), Omega (711 Fifth Avenue), IWC (535 Madison Avenue) or still Jaeger‑LeCoultre (701 Madison Avenue). The brands are also perfectly represented in the New York department stores, with windows that sparkle.
• Here are the 3 watchmaker addresses not to be missed in New York. The interest of these shops does not stop only at their collections of watches but at the buildings themselves.

1. Cartier

   The famous French watchmaker Cartier is obviously present in New York. However, I am pointing it out to you because its store is simply exceptional. The Cartier Mansion, or Cartier House, indeed occupies a magnificent building constructed in 1917 on Fifth Avenue and listed as a historic monument. Do not hesitate to push the door open as much to see the inside of the building as to glance at the collections. The store is a stone’s throw from the Rockefeller Center and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

   Address: 653 Fifth Avenue, between 51st Street and 52nd Street.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 5 Av/53 St.

2. Bucherer 1888

   Bucherer is a Swiss watchmaker who took over the American brand Tourneau, itself founded in New York in 1900. In 2021, Bucherer completely redesigned Tourneau’s store in Midtown, the TimeMachine, or time machine. Even if you do not plan to buy a watch, the visit is worth the detour for its sparkling staging!

   Address: 12 East 57th Street, between Madison Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

   Neighborhood: Midtown.

   Metro: 5 Av/53 St.

3. Swatch

   The famous Swiss brand of fancy watches has installed its flagship on Times Square, inside the Marriott Marquis hotel itself. You will find the entirety of the collections there. Swatch has another store on Fifth Avenue, at n°711, between 55th and 56th Street.

   Address: 1535 Broadway, between 45th Street and 46th Street.

   Neighborhood: Theater District.

   Metro: 42 St-Times Sq.