From Cartier to Omega, Paris is an international destination for luxury shopping of all kinds, and watches are among the most popular items on sale across the French capital
This summer the world’s best athletes will come together to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and it’s a long-standing tradition for visitors to Paris and The Olympics to pick up a commemorative watch.
During 18 days of competition, 329 gold medals will be awarded to athletes competing in 32 different sports. From athletics to artistic swimming, tennis to taekwondo, the Olympic Games is the world’s biggest sporting event, uniting over 10,500 athletes who have spent the last four years preparing for the competition of a lifetime.
On the spectator side, between 2.3 and 3.1 million unique visitors will be watching from the stands, so for those of you who are lucky enough to have tickets–or who are just planning to soak up the energy in the French capital this summer–we thought you might appreciate some horological shopping tips. Omega may be the official timekeeper of the Olympics, but most watch aficionados will cast their net wider than a single brand when walking the streets of Paris between sporting events. Below you’ll find our curated list of exceptional watch boutiques throughout Paris.
Omega Paris
Let’s kick off with the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega, which not only has four boutiques in the heart of Paris, but is unveiling four new special-edition Speedmaster Chronoscope models and one Seamaster Diver in celebration of the Paris 2024 event. What better way to truly mark your Parisian Olympic Games adventure than with one of these limited-edition timepieces?
362-364 rue Saint-Honoré, 75001 | 93 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 | 12 Rue de Sèvres, 75007 | Galerie Lafayette, 40 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
Bucherer Paris
Founded in Luzern, Switzerland in 1888, Bucherer has seen an impressive global expansion over the last decade and now counts 36 locations throughout Europe and 32 in the U.S. Its Parisian boutique was inaugurated in 2013 for the company’s 125th anniversary and is the world’s largest watch and jewellery store covering 23,681 square feet. The boutique presents 39 luxury watch brands and also offers vintage timepieces with its Bucherer Certified Pre-Owned collection. If you are looking for inspiration for your next purchase, you will enjoy exploring this horological paradise.
12 Boulevard des Capucines, 75009
Arije Paris
Recently renovated, Arije’s flagship store on 50 rue Pierre-Charron covers 17,200 square feet of an impressive Haussmannien building. The interior décor will impress you as much as the watches it houses with its golden staircase that links three floors. You will find all the leading watch brands as well as jewellery creations, and what the French call Art de Vivre, which includes all kinds of objects from crystalware to designer perfumes. Pure luxury shopping.
50 Rue Pierre Charron, 75008 | 5 Place du Québec, 75006
Chronopassion Paris
For lovers of independent watchmaking, Chronopassion is the go-to place with over 30 independent brands. Here you will also find the boutique’s charismatic owner Laurent Picciotto and his team who fully understand the ins and outs of watch collecting. As an added bonus, you can also discover one of the world’s first MB&F boutiques that is situated right next door (which is also managed under the Chronopassion name) for a double watchmaking experience. If you’re in Paris for the Olympics, note that the store will be closed from July 25th to August 20th, 2024.
271 Rue Saint-Honoré, 75001
Les Montres Lassaussois
For over 30 years, Les Montres Lassaussois has been a family business that has grown to include three Parisian boutiques dedicated to luxury watches and jewellery. This summer they are planning different activations around the Olympic Games, so pop in and see them. For watch lovers interested in vintage pieces, check out their store dedicated to pre-loved pieces Les Montres Collector Boutique.
58 rue de Rennes, 75006 | 40 rue de Passy, 75016
Dubail Paris
With two boutiques in two of Paris’s best addresses–Place Vendôme and Avenue des Champs-Elysées–Dubail houses the biggest names in haute horlogerie and haute joaillerie and has been a retail ambassador for Rolex since 1984 with two additional boutiques dedicated to the “Jolly Green Giant”. This family affair has grown from strength to strength from its humble beginnings in 1969. It is also appreciated for its Private Collection of limited editions crafted by the biggest names in the watch industry, especially for Dubail.
71-73 Avenue des Champs-Elysées, 75008 | 9 & 21 Place Vendôme, 75001
Cartier Paris
It would be a crime to go to Paris and not have a little peak inside Cartier’s famous boutique on the Rue de la Paix. This is one of the three historic Cartier addresses, along with La Mansion in New York and New Bond Street in London. Cartier moved here in 1899 thanks to the impetus of Louis Cartier, the eldest of the three Cartier brothers, who wanted the company to have a noble address in the heart of Parisian high society. One-hundred-and-twenty-five years later, this creative haven continues to seduce clients from all around the world.
13 Rue de la Paix, 75002
Breguet Paris
Another must-visit is Breguet’s flagship boutique in the center of the Place Vendôme. Inside you will find the largest selection of Breguet timepieces in the world. As an additional treat, check out the second floor which houses the brand’s museum with over 100 historical timepieces, artefacts, archives, and even the original patent application for Abraham-Louis Breguet’s famous tourbillon invention from 1801.
6 Place Vendôme, 75002
Watchfinder Paris
One of the newest boutiques to the Paris watch scene is Watchfinder & Co., the pre-owned watch specialist from London, which is now owned by the Richemont Group and has three boutiques in the French capital. With watches from over 50 Maisons and a manufacture-certified service center, this is a pre-owned specialist you can truly trust.
33 Rue Boissy d’Anglas, 75008 | Printemps Haussmann, 64 Boulevard Haussmann, 75009
Wempe Paris
Another great multi-brand address is the world-famous Wempe, which was founded in Hamburg by Gerhard D. Wempe in 1878. Today, Wempe has boutiques all over the world, including this beautiful store in the heart of Paris. Wempe carries over 30 international brands, including all the big watch names, and for the Olympics they are presenting “Olympic” rings from Adolfo Courrier in a range of different colors that can be stacked to match the hues of your national flag!
16 Rue Royale, 75008
This story was first published on Robb Report USA
