Retailer Highlight: M.P. Demetre Jewelers In Charleston, SC, And London Jewelers In Manhasset, NY

The retailers featured right now are each situated in lovely waterfront cities courting again to the late 17th century, however there’s one other aspect that ties them collectively: The story of constructing an area empire; the embodiment of the American Dream. That may be stated for the entire retailers we function, in fact, however some bits caught out to me with these two. The anecdote about graduating from The Citadel after which breaking into the enterprise by shopping for a historic financial institution in Charleston is a story that is paying homage to the sort of allure you may solely discover within the Outdated South. And what may very well be extra American than the story of a Polish immigrant touchdown on Lengthy Island within the ’20s and constructing a enterprise from scratch that may later tackle a lifetime of its personal?

M.P. Demetre Jewelers in Charleston, SC

Everybody has a creation story. What’s yours?

In 1958, my father, Milton P. Demetre, was a cadet on the Citadel Army Faculty in Charleston when he started to promote engagement rings he would discover in jewellery catalogs to his classmates as a method of constructing ends meet. Promoting engagement rings revealed my father’s true ardour for the business, and he dreamed of someday proudly owning his personal retailer. After a few years of laborious work, he was capable of fulfill this dream and acquired the historic financial institution constructing on King Road in Downtown Charleston and opened M.P. Demetre Jewelers.

Whereas it now sounds loopy to say, on the time, native important streets and historic buildings, particularly, had been getting hit laborious by the rise of huge procuring malls. My dad centered on getting the shop simply the best way he needed it, and folks shortly started to take discover of how a lot ardour he was placing into the restoration strategy of the historic constructing together with restoring chandeliers, cupboards, and structure. He was actually forward of his time on this.

After they lastly opened the shop, they carried the weird amalgamation of Audemars Piguet and Seiko as their important watch choices. Sadly, proper after opening, the shop was robbed, and my dad vowed by no means to hold watches once more. As somebody who loves all watches, significantly Rolex, I knew I needed to change his thoughts. Once I formally joined the enterprise in 1992, we began carrying watches once more and have become an Official Rolex Jeweler in 1999. Till my dad handed in 2018, he, my mom Virginia, and I might work six days every week making certain that our retailer may grow to be Charleston’s premier watch vacation spot. We’re actually a family-owned and operated enterprise with my son, Andrew, now working on the retailer as nicely.

How has M.P. Demetre Jewelers been supporting the watch neighborhood?

Working in Charleston is an thrilling problem as a result of it has a thriving watch neighborhood in addition to numerous vacationers yearly. We view our retailer as a associate within the watch neighborhood and have hosted a number of occasions for the native watch society, take part and sponsor collector dinners, and host a number of casual get-togethers. Earlier than the present pandemic, we had been additionally scheduled to host a Tudor Basel Preview, a welcome occasion for our latest model, NOMOS Glashütte, and some different shock occasions. We will definitely be trying so as to add these to the calendar as soon as we really feel we are able to safely accomplish that. Most significantly, nevertheless, we have now already began the seek for native charities preventing the pandemic, seeing how we are able to associate alongside them. We’re all on this collectively. 

Our high aim for the watch neighborhood, nevertheless, is to not host occasions however to be a welcoming place the place folks, both vacationers or locals, can are available in, strive on watches and simply discuss no matter’s on their thoughts, whether or not it is a Rolex look ahead to a special day, the brand new motion from Grand Seiko or an unimaginable dial from NOMOS. We need to ensure that we don’t stress our prospects, however as an alternative, welcome them right into a dialogue the place we each study from one another. That is the one method to actually develop the shop, particularly in occasions when some persons are actually struggling and their monetary focus would possibly want to show elsewhere. If they only need to are available in, have a look at the watch, and discuss what makes it particular whereas they save, that is nice with us.  

We even have thrilling plans to broaden into the constructing subsequent to ours within the coming 12 months. The brand new constructing might be devoted to Rolex with an intimate lounge space as they’re the flagship of our retailer. We needed to make sure the Rolex shopping for expertise was every thing the purchasers needed it to be, whether or not it is the dream watch they have been saving for for years or including a brand new watch to the gathering. Our aim each time is to create a “Rolex second.” This can even free house in our present location in order that we are able to carry extra manufacturers and improve provide of different manufacturers we stock.  

What watches do you carry that people must be listening to proper now?

My private favourite watch and “day by day put on” is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller. I really like not solely the dimensions and fantastic thing about the watch, however the fluted bezel interfacing with the Caliber 9001 Motion to unlock all of its wonderful capabilities actually fascinates me.  My Rolex Sky-Dweller can also be particular to me because it was the final watch my father wore and his “day by day put on” earlier than his passing. Maybe the one factor I most love in regards to the watches we stock is that they create true private connections that final without end. 

One line from Tudor that flies beneath the radar is the Black Bay Metal and Gold collection. These watches can function each gown and sport watches and easily look implausible. This assortment is such an excellent worth.

The Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary assortment that simply launched are true marvels in engineering and sweetness. The brand new improved Hello-Beat motion and lovely blue dial of the SBGH281 is a selected favourite of mine. Whether or not it’s a spring drive or a 9F motion, Grand Seikos have grow to be the favourite of lots of regulars.  

We’re very a lot trying ahead to the return of the Omega 321 Caliber to the Speedmaster collection.  

Simply because the coronavirus hit the USA and the social distancing tips occurred, we turned licensed retailers of NOMOS Glashütte. We have now had nice response to the model from our purchasers, and maybe the one advantage of this shutdown is that it has given me and our workers a while to play with and immerse ourselves into the NOMOS model imaginative and prescient and watches. It amazes me how their watches stand out from the opposite manufacturers due to their distinctive dials, styling, and unimaginable worth factors for an in-house motion.  

What do you concentrate on?

We’re Official Jewelers for Rolex, Tudor, Omega, Grand Seiko, NOMOS Glashütte, Oris, Frederique Fixed, and Victorinox.

We take nice pleasure in with the ability to talk about the assorted points of every model we stock. In case you have a query in regards to the motion, dial, bezel, or band selections, we would like to have the ability to provide help to and be sure you discover the piece that may both fill the outlet in your assortment or function an excellent first watch.  

How can prospects and people enthusiastic about buying a watch join with you?

We’re working on an appointment-only foundation at present, however we’re at all times out there by means of electronic mail, telephone, our web site, or social media channels on Instagram or Fb. It’s also possible to attain out to peterd@demetrejewelers.com.

We stay up for with the ability to see our great purchasers and pals again within the retailer quickly, however within the meantime, please attain out to us if we will be of service or simply to speak watches!

M.P. Demetre Jewelers

253 King Road
 Charleston, SC 29401

843-722-2073

London Jewelers in Manhasset, NY

Everybody has a creation story. What’s yours?

The story of London Jewelers is a real American Dream. Charles London, a self-taught clockmaker from Poland, emigrated to the U.S. in 1923 and shortly established a enterprise on the estates alongside Lengthy Island’s Gold Coast. He visited every shopper’s dwelling weekly to wind their clocks and provided watch and clock servicing on website. By 1926, Charles had opened a small store on Faculty Road in Glen Cove, the place he carried out the watch and clock repairs and ultimately started to promote jewellery. 

Within the 1940s, his daughter, Fran London, married Mayer Udell (additionally a self-taught watchmaker) and the couple joined her household’s enterprise. They set the usual for what London Jewelers would grow to be and established our core values of laborious work and integrity. 

Fran and Mayer’s son, Mark Udell, graduated from school within the 1970s and was studying the enterprise at a jeweler in Florida. Throughout this time, he and his spouse Sweet, who had additionally joined the household enterprise, developed a eager curiosity in status timepiece manufacturers like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Cartier; they dreamed of bringing these manufacturers to their established Lengthy Island clientele. Regardless of Mayer’s preliminary hesitation, the younger couple knew it was the best transfer. They bought by means of the primary allotment of Rolex inside days and needed to reorder instantly. There was no trying again. 

Aspect by facet, the Udells spent the subsequent a number of many years forming and nurturing sturdy partnerships inside the watch world. London Jewelers now proudly affords over 30 of the best timepiece manufacturers in existence – an unmatched choice in unbiased retail. 

Mark continues to run London Jewelers from an operational standpoint, and Sweet helms the artistic facet of the enterprise, from retailer design and merchandising to jewellery shopping for, promoting, and advertising. Mark and Sweet’s kids, Randi and Scott, and their nephew, Zach, are the cornerstones of London Jewelers’ fourth technology. Randi spearheads social media, works with the shopping for and merchandising groups, and acts as a private shopper for our Manhattan clientele. Scott heads up our TWO by London engagement store, buys diamonds and free stones, and can also be a part of the watch group. 

Zach Udell now oversees watch operations, after becoming a member of London Jewelers on the age of 16. He labored within the delivery and receiving division every day after college, then spent the remainder of the evenings subsequent to his grandfather Mayer on the watchmaker’s bench. At 19, Zach attended Basel for the primary time, and his calling was solidified. For the Udells, watches aren’t only a enterprise, however a private ardour. 

Although we have expanded to 6 London Jewelers shops and 6 vendor-branded boutiques, plus added our TWO by London engagement store, we nonetheless keep a presence on the identical road in Glen Cove the place the story started. Day-after-day, by means of our ardour, dedication, and laborious work, we honor what Charles London started over 9 many years in the past. And it is with delight and dedication equal to his personal that we hope to proceed constructing our enterprise.

How has London Jewelers been supporting the watch neighborhood?

This fall will mark our 13th annual Watch Truthful. Every October, we deliver timepiece connoisseurs in our space unique product from the most effective manufacturers on the earth, all beneath one roof. It is an assortment that may’t be discovered wherever else, and we’re pleased with the relationships we have been constructing because the 1970s which have made all of it attainable. 

Final 12 months, we hosted the Archie Perkins Cell Horology Classroom, which gave our most avid watch fanatics the chance to construct their very own actions. The suggestions was unimaginable; it actually helped purchasers perceive the inherent worth in a nice timepiece, due to the time and extremely expert stage of labor that goes into every part.

Zach is a supporting member of AWCI (American Watch & Clock Institute), NAWCC (Nationwide Affiliation of Watch & Clock Collectors), HSNY (Horological Affiliation of New York), and IWJG (Worldwide Watch & Jewellery Guild), and Mark serves on the boards of Jewelers for Youngsters and the Jewelers Safety Alliance. 

All the Udell household is proud to help initiatives whose purpose is to show watchmaking as a occupation within the U.S. We’re particularly excited in regards to the new Veteran’s Watchmaker Initiative which affords free watchmaking training as a thanks for the unimaginable sacrifices of those that have risked their lives for us. 

What do you concentrate on?

London Jewelers is the premier supply for Rolex in our buying and selling space, with plaque-level Rolex boutiques (the best stage bestowed by the model) in 4 of our six areas: Americana Manhasset, East Hampton, Southampton, and Westfield World Commerce Middle. We additionally provide Patek Philippe and Cartier boutiques in Manhasset and East Hampton.

Final fall, we had been thrilled to open the doorways to an Audemars Piguet boutique in Manhasset. This three way partnership with the model is among the first of its form, permitting us to supply boutique exclusives, just like the extremely anticipated Remaster 01, a throwback to the 1940s launched in a restricted version of 500 items.

Our service division is second-to-none, with 5 full-time watchmakers in-house and one devoted polisher who is aware of the correct end for each watch by coronary heart. In the event you’ve had dangerous work completed someplace else, he is the person to deliver your timepiece again to its former glory! We’re additionally a full-service jeweler providing in-house jewellery repairs, customized design, private procuring and rather more. 

We’re additionally excited in regards to the current addition of Leica as a model associate. We all know that anybody who understands the worth of luxurious watches may have an analogous appreciation for the technical perfection of those nice cameras. 

What watches do you carry that people must be listening to proper now?

London Jewelers is proud to symbolize watch manufacturers to fulfill each style and finances, from Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Cartier to Tudor, Panerai, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Hublot, Oris, NOMOS Glashütte, and extra. For a full checklist, go to our web site.

Rolex at all times involves thoughts when it comes to prospects asking for what’s new and sizzling. Grand Seiko has made a giant splash in the previous few years and has actually gained momentum as a fascinating different to a Swiss timepiece. Hublot has impressed us with their progressive designs; we love what they’re doing. 

On the subject of model, reissues have been well-liked from many various manufacturers: designs from the 1940s all the best way to the 1970s. Breitling is making some particularly cool items impressed by their very own archives. And in occasions like this, basic watches that maintain their worth are at all times a sensible funding. 

How can prospects and people enthusiastic about buying a watch join with you?

Till it is protected to reopen the doorways to our brick-and-mortar areas, you may name us at 516-583-5190 for any watch or jewellery wants. Or, in the event you want to contact us on-line, DM us on Instagram @londonjewelers or use the contact type on our web site. 

Along with procuring, you may chat with our skilled group about appraising items in your present assortment and talk about attainable alternatives to commerce in and commerce up.

All of our associates are working from dwelling, and we stay up for serving you nevertheless we are able to. We’re grateful in your help throughout this time! 

London Jewelers

Areas: Manhasset, Manhattan, Wheatley, Glen Cove, East Hampton, Southampton

(800) 511-7005