According to London Jewelers Vice President Zach Udell, this year’s line-up of luxury watches draws inspiration from decades past, transforming classics into distinctly modern timepieces fit for today’s connoisseurs.
“Orangemaking is about making the old new again,” he says.
And Udell should know: He’s part of the fourth generation of the family business, which will welcome fans this weekend for the 14th annual Watch Fair. The event will showcase the newest and rarest timepieces from the world’s top luxury brands – including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Cartier and Bulgari.
Charles London, Udell’s great-grandfather, started his business in 1926 on Long Island’s Gold Coast, servicing watches for the “rich Long Island set,” including American dynasties such as the Morgans, Pratts and Whitneys.
“This was the Great Gatsby era,” Udell says of the Art Deco period of architecture, watches and jewelry design. “It doesn’t get more New York than that.”
As for today’s era – the retailer’s watch showroom is undergoing a major renovation, including a dedicated space for the enhanced “Rolex Experience.” While those exciting updates are underway, this year’s watch fair will be hosted in London Jeweler’s elegant and temporary space at 1988 Northern Blvd., across from Prada in Americana Manhasset. There, guests will find watchmakers’ latest and greatest creations – including limited-edition timepieces usually only available to industry insiders – all under one roof.
Representatives from each watchmaker will be on hand to help customers discover the watch “that speaks to them the most,” says Udell. “Some of the younger generation of collectors want to dig deep into heritage behind a schedule, and we love being able to help clients navigate through that.”
Visitors are encouraged to try on the watches, “which is what the watch fair is all about: Go to a jeweler you can trust and try to feel the watch.” Festivities will also include cigar rolling, fall treats and small bites.
As for the watches themselves, Udell says new offerings from Panerai, Tudor, Omega and Piaget also exemplify this year’s old-is-new trend.
With its new Baignoire collection, “Cartier achieved an amazing blend of old-world luxury feel with a modern look,” he notes. (Baignoire, whose name means “bathtub” in French, was first introduced in 1912.) “Mixing this old-time look and reinventing it in a modern way speaks to a wide range of people in all age groups.”
Rolex’s new platinum version of its 1908 watch takes its name from the brand’s founding year. The watch’s grain-engraved dial and vintage-style hands honor the design cues of Rolex’s heritage.
Other watches must be seen in person to experience their full effect.
“It’s not possible to fully read what the dial looks like until you see how the travel time function actually turns,” says Udell of the new Patek Philippe world watch, the world’s first patented movement that synchronizes the date with local time. and whose blue-gray carbon number matches his belt. “It has a modern contemporary case, but you have an old and new feel, and the denim belt will appeal to any age group.” Patek Philippe’s new Ellipse has also “generated a lot of interest and buzz; is another example of this neo-vintage revival.”
While not neo-vintage, Bulgari’s new Octo Finissimo CarbonGold Perpetual Calendar watch features the bold combination of a highly complicated movement (often found in more traditional watches) equipped with an ultra-modern carbon case, dial and strap.
Meanwhile, Piaget has reintroduced its iconic Polo collection in reduced sizes. “It’s nice to see the sizes come down to a little more normalized range,” says Udell. “It mixes the old with the new.” This has certainly been a winning formula for London Jewelers, which will celebrate its centenary in 2026.
With over 270 employees, London Jewelers “still has a mom-and-pop family feel to the degree that we can keep it that way,” says Udell. As one of the last remaining luxury family-owned jewelers, the retailer prides itself on providing exceptional customer service. “If a customer has a problem,” he says, “it’s our name on the line.”
– Hila Bauer
Tasty treats: London Jewelery VP Randi Udell Alper says smaller styles are big
A welcome return
“Cartier Baignoire is definitely the hottest watch right now. This mini-model revival style, with its signature oval face, oozes French flair. Women are going back to feminine and thin, and this bracelet can make a minimalist statement on its own or match a stack of other bracelets.”
Only sweets
“I love the new, petite version of this Rolex – its lush chocolate dial is accented with diamonds. It is quite versatile; the classic gold bracelet moves easily from playtime to party.”
Wonderful secret
“This gorgeous style from Bulgari does double duty: it’s both luxury jewelry and a watch. Beyond the gold bracelet, the octagonal, ancient coin-set case opens to reveal a stunning diamond-set watch. A major wow!”
Sporty elegance
“Some women are looking for something they can wear from tennis to dinner and the new Aquanaut fits the bill. It’s casual-cool with a blue-gray dial and composite, patterned strap, but gets an elegant touch from the rose-gold case.”
– Anne Bratskeir
Back to the future: London Jewelers VP Scott Udell eyes a retro revival
Subtle glow
“The Patek Golden Ellipse was introduced decades ago and has always been considered the symbol of true luxury. That’s still true, and this latest style, with its pure sunburst black dial set in rose gold, features a reinvented, matching chain bracelet. It is an exceptional piece coveted by avid collectors.”
The history of Haute
“This was the latest design by watchmaker Gérald Charles Genta, one of the most famous watch designers in the world, whose work includes prototypes for many other high-end brands. It has gained a lot of popularity among athletes and true connoisseurs for its artistry and uniqueness.”
Hero worship
“Nicknamed the ‘Bruce Wayne’, the Rolex GMT-Master II was a style first launched in 1982. With its new, understated yet beautiful gray-and-black bezel, this timepiece is as versatile as it is and a real workhorse. Wear it for trips, take it out for a swim, or out to a nice dinner.”
Pink power
“This fresh version of Tudor’s Black Bay Chrono celebrates brand ambassadors Jay Chou (the pop star known for his hit ‘Pink Ocean’) and David Beckham (co-owner of the Inter Miami soccer team, who points out the pink jerseys ).If you can get your hands on one, it’s a great value for people looking for quality and something bold.”
– Anne Bratskeir
All at London Jewelers, 1988 Northern Blvd., Manhasset, LI
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