Connoisseurs Watch Care Kit, £23.99
Even the best watch collection needs a proper clean now and then, and Connoisseurs’ three-piece kit covers everything short of a full service. A 70ml Deep Cleansing Foam lifts dirt and oils from cases and bracelet links in 30 seconds, backed by a nylon brush for the fiddly bits and a two-piece cloth system that polishes and keeps tarnish at bay. It’s formulated for gold, platinum, steel, titanium, ceramic and rubber or silicone straps alike.
Available at Connoisseurs.
Timecraft Watchmaking Kits, From £269.99
Timecraft turns watch buying into watch building: every kit ships with all the parts and tools needed to hand-assemble a fully mechanical timepiece, no experience or extra kit required. The Skeleton version puts a Japanese self-winding movement on show through an open dial, while the Diver brings a Miyota 8215 automatic and 100m water resistance to the same build-it-yourself format. Either way, it’s less an afternoon’s shopping than an afternoon learning how a movement actually ticks.
Available at Timecraft Watchmaking.
Luxe Watches Services
Luxe Watches is an Epping-based retailer for Rolex, Audemars Piguet, Bulgari, Omega, Patek Philippe and more. However, they’re also determined that once you buy a watch, it will stay in top condition, which is why they operate a service centre capable of caring for every watch they sell. A full service starts from £250, with glass and bezel specific repairs from £80 or £90 respectively.
More details at Luxe Watches.
Zeitauktion – Pre-Owned Watch Retailer
Despite the name, Zeitauktion isn’t an auction house – it’s a Saxony-based retailer that’s sold more than 55,000 pre-owned watches since 2002, each one inspected and refurbished by an in-house workshop with over 20 years’ watchmaking experience. Stock runs deep on Rolex, Omega, Breitling and IWC, with a sideline in Glashütte specialists like A. Lange & Söhne and Nomos. There’s no physical storefront – just appointments by arrangement – but every piece comes with a 100% authenticity guarantee and insured worldwide shipping. Trade-ins and consignment are on the table too.
Available at Zeitauktion.
Arena Club Lunar Time Box
Arena Club’s Lunar box turns watch buying into a bet: a sealed box hiding one authenticated luxury watch valued at around $6,000. Odds are published before purchase, and once it’s opened buyers can keep the watch, vault it on Arena Club’s platform, or sell straight back at 90% of its estimated value. The format borrows from trading-card mystery packs, but the pulls are Rolex, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and Cartier rather than rookie cards. The Eclipse Box is $5,000; the time box collection ranges from $250 to $10,000.
Available at Arena Club.
