Time+Tide City Watch Buying Guide – Melbourne
Adam ReederYou might call Melbourne the Time+Tide mothership. It’s where we’re from and who we are. So it’s no surprise that we’ve got the inside track on all the best places to buy watches in the city. Choosing a new watch can be a long and arduous, if not heart wrenching task. That’s why it’s important to know where you want to buy in advance. Whether you’re looking for the white glove and champagne treatment or you just want a quick in and out purchase, Marvelous Melbourne has plenty of options to suit your needs. Check out the following list, compiled in alphabetical order for your convenience.
Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio
What is this? Didn’t you say alphabetical order? Our Melbourne flagship Discovery Studio is stocked with the latest and greatest FOMO-inducing independents like Baltic, Fears, and Studio Underd0g, with cult classics like Doxa, Hamilton, and Zodiac thrown in for good measure. We don’t mind tooting our own horn for just a moment. You can visit the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio on Collins St, or head over to our online shop.
Address: Suite 1, 178 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3004
Contact: +61 3 4422 2044
Anton Jewellery
While mainly focusing on jewellery, Anton has split their watch offering between two Melbourne locations. Their Chadstone boutique stocks Jaeger-LeCoultre and Piaget, while the Doncaster store is tasked with TAG Heuer.
Address (Chadstone): Shop 338, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 (03) 9569 1000
Address (Doncaster): Shop 1078A, Westfield Doncaster, Doncaster Rd & Williamsons Rd, Doncaster, VIC 3108
Contact (Doncaster): +61 (03) 9848 5888
Bell & Ross
Situated beneath the vaulted ceilings of the Block Arcade, the displays of the Bell & Ross boutique contain as much flight gear and instrumentation as they do watches. Despite the small floor space, there’s plenty to see on the French watchmaker’s shelves. Click here for our coverage of the opening, or head to the Bell & Ross site.
Address: Shop 23, The Block Arcade, 282 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9650 7421
Bovet
Among the more recent additions to Collins street’s numerous watch boutiques is Bovet, located in Cashmore on Collins in the Block Arcade. The historic Melbourne location is actually predated by Bovet, the brand founded nearly two decades before the building even existed. Before visiting though, make sure you catch up on the latest and greatest from the avant-garde brand.
Address: 298 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: 0396394616
Breitling
Not the first, nor the last brand featured on this list that owes much of its success to aviation. The Breitling boutique in Chadstone is a mix of youthfulness backed by heritage, as the brand looks to support its strong recent releases with fresh-feeling stores that engage with the local community. Before deciding which watch to pick up, make sure you watch our interview of Georges Kern, Breitling CEO, as we ask him for his favourite Breitling.
Address: Chadstone Shopping Centre Shop 428, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact: +61 3 9563 3501
Bremont
Full of pilot paraphernalia and clad in wood, riveted aluminium and leather, the Bremont boutique in Melbourne is a gentlemen’s club-turned-shop.
Address: 292 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 03 9639 9440
Bulgari
One of the best boutique experiences I’ve had was all thanks to the Bulgari boutique in Melbourne. Not only is the store itself gorgeous, but the staff are knowledgeable and lovely, happy to assist and explain with patience. At any time, they’ll feature a collection of Bulgari Aluminium and Octo pieces, ready to be tried on.
Address: 123 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 03 9663 8100
Cartier
Whether you’re strolling through the Paris end of Collins Street or perusing the many shops of Chadstone shopping centre, padded walls and ornate chandeliers feature prominently in the halls of Cartier. While you’ll find many other pretty things lining the shelves and display cabinets, the watch sections are always present. Though sometimes devoid of the more popular models – Tank Must, for example – there’s a good mix of Cartier’s classic case shapes and sizes.
Address 1: 90 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Address 2: Ground Floor G066, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact: +61 1800 130 000
Chanel
Lovers of the J12 and the Boyfriend rejoice! The Chanel Melbourne boutique is one of the brand’s flagship locations in Australia.
Address: 140 Flinders Lane, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 1300 242 635
Franck Muller
The masters of complications have nestled themselves in a Melbourne heritage building. Franck Muller takes their unique take on watchmaking and applies it to a luxury mid-century-styled boutique.
Address: 119 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 396 500 288
(Grand) Seiko
In a special two-for-one deal, we bring you this epic combo. Telemarketer spiel aside, the Seiko boutique in Melbourne offers everything from the affordable 5KX to Spring Drive Grand Seiko models, even sprinkling some Credor magic here and there. Grand Seiko is due to open a standalone boutique on Collins Street later in the year, however – but for the moment, this is your best spot in Melbourne to shop all things Seiko. Find out more about Melbourne’s Seiko Boutique here.
Address: Shop T1, 264-274 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: 03 9644 5510
Gregory Jewellers
Opening its first Australian boutique in 1989, this family-run business operates 15 stores across Australia. In Melbourne, you can find Baume & Mercier, Panerai, Zenith and others at their Chadstone and Highpoint shopping centre locations.
Address (Chadstone): Shop 205, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 03 9975 4630
Address (Highpoint): Shop 3510, 120-200 Rosamond Road, Maribyrnong VIC 3032
Contact (Highpoint): +61 03 9975 4640
Hardy Brothers
Founded in 1853, Hardy Brothers is an Australian staple. With brands such as Jacob & Co., H. Moser & Cie, Omega and Oris, their Collins St store is filled with beautiful timepieces, but also accessories such as winders and watch rolls. You can make an appointment at the link.
Address: 338 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 (03) 9624 5300
The Hour Glass
Housed in the Art Deco-period building known as Kodak House, The Hour Glass has established itself as one of the main players in the luxury watch market. The three-floor red granite building is home to Audemars Piguet, MB&F and Patek Philippe amongst many others. The Hour Glass is also an authorised dealer for De Bethune, F.P. Journe and Urwerk, as well as even smaller brands like Petermann Bédat and Kari Voutilainen.
Address: 252 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact:+61 3 9650 6988
IWC Schaffhausen
Partnering with Kennedy, this IWC store has been a mainstay at the entrance of 360 Collins Street. If you happened to miss the awesome Big Pilot Roadshow, the Airstream-like boutique is filled to the brim with IWC goodness, just like their recently opened Chadstone location, too.
Address (Collins St): Shop 9, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (Collins St): +61 03 9108 0634
Address (Chadstone): Shop 438, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): (03) 7023 9188
Jaeger-LeCoultre
The watchmaker’s watchmaker’s quaint boutique on Collins stays welcoming despite the dark interior finish and strong overhead spotlights. It certainly helps that the watches on display are a composition of the Reverso, Duometre, Polaris and others, while a few Atmos clocks quietly “tick” away.
Address: 86 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9094 5838
Kennedy
With brands such as Patek Philippe, Piaget and Ulysse Nardin under their wing, the Kennedy boutiques at Crown or Chadstone are worth a visit. If your tastes lie with Rolex, a standalone Rolex Kennedy boutique at Crown may suit your fancy.
Address (Chadstone): Shop 444, 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 3 9108 0633
Address (Crown): Crown Towers, Shop 17, 8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Contact (Crown): +61 3 9686 7900
Address (Rolex Crown): Crown Casino, Shop 5, c8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC 3006
Contact (Rolex Crown): +61 3 8614 1160
Longines
Having recently expanded with their second boutique, hues of blue and silver adorn the displays and fittings of the store. In the windows, you’ll find a selection of both sporty models from the Conquest and Spirit collections, paired with a selection of Heritage Classic pieces.
Address (Chadstone): Shop 344, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 03 9087 6699
Address (Melbourne CBD): 256 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (Melbourne CBD): +61 03 9081 8686
Louis Vuitton
Strolling through the luxury retailers on Collins Street could be an Olympic sport. If it were, this opulent Louis Vuitton boutique would be the final event. Located in a beautiful historic building, the boutique carries just about anything that Louis Vuitton makes, including their recently buzzworthy line of luxury watches.
Address: 139 Collins Street, Shop G001 Melbourne VIC, 3000
Phone: 1300 883 880
Monards
Started as a family business with a small store in Grand Hyatt, Monards is now an authorised dealer for the likes of Bulgari, Glashütte Original, Greubel Forsey and HYT. Adopting the shop-in-a-shop approach, their boutiques on Collins St and in Crown Casino are testimony to their dedication and success.
Address (Melbourne CBD): Shop 7, 101 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (Melbourne CBD): +61 (03) 9650 9288
Address (Crown): 15/8 Whiteman St, Southbank, VIC 3006
Contact (Crown): +61 (03) 9690 2566
Montblanc
Known for all sort of luxury products from pens to leather goods, Montblanc has made a real stride forward in their watch department over the last few years. After purchasing the Minerva manufacture, the Richemont group dedicated it to Montblanc as an exclusive movement manufacture.
Address (Chadstone): Shop 479, 1341 Dandenong Road, Melbourne, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 3 9569 6988
Address (Melbourne CBD): 175-177 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (Melbourne CBD): +61 3 9663 5077
Omega
With three boutiques across Melbourne, Omega ensures its accessibility, for the best possible shopping experience. Whether you opt for Collins St, Crown or Chadstone Shopping Centre, the light wood counters and red carpet are unmistakably Omega. Their Collins boutique is actually just opposite the Time+Tide Discovery Studio, actually!
Address (CBD): 179 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (CBD): +61 03 9652 2800
Address (Crown): Shop 20/20A Ground Floor, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank, VIC 3006
Contact (Crown): +61 3 9682 7800
Address (Chadstone): Shop G063, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 3 9568 0612
Panerai
The brother boutique to IWC Schaffhausen, this Panerai store is unmissable with the large, glowing Luminor wall clock and nautical theme.
Address (CBD): Shop 10, 360 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (CBD): +61 3 9108 0639
Address (Chadstone): Shop 438, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, VIC 3148
Phone (Chadstone): (02) 7230 9400
Piaget
While a lot of Piaget’s focus falls on jewellery, the Chadstone boutique also features timepieces from the innovative watchmaker. Executed in the classic, bright Piaget colours of green and gold (quite Australian if I may add, Piaget), it shouldn’t be missed on a trip to Chadstone.
Address: Shop G-477, Chadstone Shopping Centre, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact: +61 3 9040 4350
Rolex (Boutellier)
Had this list not been in alphabetical order, it’s safe to say The Crown would’ve featured near the top, simply for convenience’s sake, if nothing else. In this case, associated with Boutellier Montres, the Rolex boutique is among the newer arrivals in Melbourne’s watch scene. You can check out our coverage here.
Address: 70 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 7064 4488
Swatch
Swatch’s Australian flagship store can be found on Collins Street, and it’s one of the biggest Swatch stores in the Southern Hemisphere, featuring a colourful and open store design with glass pillars reminiscent of Melbourne’s famous alleyways. A bit more casual than your typical watch shopping experience, Swatch’s Melbourne store is worth a visit, whether you’re looking for your kid’s first Swiss watch or hunting down MoonSwatches.
Address: 260 Collins St Shop RG-07, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9530 9718
Swiss Emporium
As authorised dealers for Oris, Raymond Weil and Tissot, Swiss Emporium offers a great selection of entry-level luxury watches. Whether you’re purchasing your first watch, or visiting as a seasoned collector, the knowledgeable staff are sure to find something to pique your interest. At the same time, the St Collins Lane location offers services for the secondary and consignment market.
Address: 220 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 (03) 9650 7062
TAG Heuer
Between the large, thematic windows containing the novelties, a huge double door welcomes you into the Melbourne CBD boutique. Among the largest on this list, it’s fitting, considering Tag Heuer’s extensive collection. It’s situated in the heart of the city, flanked by some of the most famed stores – watch, and otherwise. Alternatively, if you find yourself in Chadstone shopping centre, a dark and modern boutique awaits.
Address (Melbourne CBD): 260 Collins Street, St Collins Lane Precinct, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact (Melbourne CBD): +61 3 8621 8500
Address (Chadstone): Shop G-009, 1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone, VIC 3148
Contact (Chadstone): +61 3 9569 1497
Tissot
Custodians of some of the best value pieces on the market today, the Tissot boutique in Myer Melbourne makes the most of its shop-in-a-shop layout. The relatively small interior space means lots of watches wherever you look (including a pretty sweet clock).
Address: Myer Melbourne, 314-336 Bourke Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9661 1232
Tudor
The first Australian Tudor boutique was launched in 2021 in collaboration with The Hour Glass, in their iconic Collins St location, releasing the Black Bay Bronze boutique edition to go with it, and now home to all of Tudor’s well-loved offerings. You can read our coverage here.
Address: Shop 2, 257 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9989 0988
Vacheron Constantin
Opening in 2019, the Vacheron Constantin boutique offers pieces of a brand founded before Captain Cook reached Australian shores, as we mentioned in our brief coverage of its opening. Despite its Holy Trinity status, the store is cosy and warm, much like the lovely folk staffing it.
Address: 88 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: +61 3 9228 7101
Watches of Switzerland
A one-stop shop for many leading brands. Despite what the name suggests, Watches of Switzerland is Australia’s only A. Lange & Söhne authorised dealer (along with the Sydney boutique). Other notable brands include Blancpain, Breguet, Vacheron Constantin and Rolex.
Address: 294 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Contact: 03 9671 3388 or 1300 808 135