Strolling Venice

Today was the most exciting day yet, entirely dedicated to watch hunting in Venice.

I started with a pleasant visit to the Tudor Boutique Salvadori in Piazza San Marco, where I had a great chat with the sales representatives. They were incredibly welcoming, and we discussed new releases, older references, and even my own GMT Opaline. Truly hospitable people.

Then I migrated next door to the Salvadori Rolex Boutique, where the contrast could not have been sharper. I was denied entry because they were “busy with a client,” and told they only had a “Red Gold Daytona with chocolate dial” available. Of course, they meant rose gold, but still... what a difference in atmosphere. The same family owns both boutiques, yet on one side you have the Tudor SA who is warm and passionate, and on the other a Rolex SA who was borderline rude. They clearly have very different hiring philosophies within the same company.

After chatting with a passerby admiring the Rolex window display, who, by the way, managed to secure a no-date Submariner after only a four-month wait, I spent a couple of hours simply soaking in the beauty of Piazza San Marco and visiting the Palazzo Ducale before finally leaving the renowned square.

But I was not heading back to the Airbnb. Not yet. Business time was still underway.

I knew of a small shop about five or ten minutes away from San Marco called Gioielleria Frollo. It is the cutest little watch shop imaginable, with the service desk in the front and the workshop tucked away in the back. I was very tempted to ask for a look at the lab, but managed to restrain myself.

I waited outside for about twenty minutes, not because they operate like Rolex, but simply because the shop is genuinely tiny. While waiting, I chatted with a few American kids who were first in line. They ended up leaving empty-handed.

Once inside, I was welcomed by Tommaso, one of the owner’s sons. To break the ice, I asked him to show me the beautiful Rolex 1675 with nipple dial displayed in the window. That was enough to get the conversation flowing.

Tommaso then showed me a fantastic 116610LN, which I am seriously considering buying on Monday, along with a beautiful Tudor Submariner from around 1978 that comes as a complete full set: box, papers, receipts, the whole nine yards. A true beauty. Tommaso also mentioned that his father had just acquired a 5513, so I am definitely coming back to see that one.

Eventually, our conversation drifted toward microbrands, and I discovered that Tommaso has his own: Nova Venexia. As it turns out, he produces beautiful 41 mm watches on Jubilee bracelets featuring stone dials. He uses different stones, and the results are stunning. I may end up buying one of those as well.

But his pièce de résistance is not out yet. I will not spoil it, though I was lucky enough to see it in person. I give you my word: it is truly remarkable and deeply faithful to its Venetian origins. I cannot say more, but I strongly encourage you to keep an eye out for it. You will not be disappointed.

What a day.