Tempus Fugit Field Trip

So a few weeks ago I had a meeting in Beverly Hills.  So I hopped in the buggy and made the trip down from Santa Barbara.  With time on my hands, I popped in to some of the various shops and was a bit surprised - in some instances pleasantly, and others not so much.

One store and person who gets full marks is Philippe Marquet of Richard Mille!  Friendly, knowledgeable and a genuinely nice fellow.

Interestingly enough, popping into a few of the other shops on Rodeo Drive my experience was very, very different.  Not so friendly, and in fact, one "brand boutique" who I had just written a story about that very morning couldn't have been less polite.  Now consider this for a moment, these are people employed with the intention of selling watches - i.e. retail, and one would think that part of this would entail, I don't know, being friendly?!

And finally, Breguet - so get ready to throw away all of your pre-conceived notions that this must be an intimidating, bastion of exclusivity.  Well, yes and no.  It is a beautiful, well presented boutique.  It has a beautiful collection of watches.  But the people - COULD NOT HAVE BEEN BETTER!  Mr. Acosta and Ms. Moore were incredibly friendly.  I had intended to simply stick my head in the door, say hi, and be on my way.  But Perrier was offered, and a great conversation about the watch business and the new Chronometers buyer's guide - www.chronometers.org ensued.

So it was an informative day - Richard Mille and Breguet - you have got it RIGHT!