Sun 9 Aug 2009
Siam Paragon Watch World – Bangkok, Thailand
Posted by The Breitling Source under General Posts , Watches in Travel[4] Comments
On my Honeymoon, ones of the stops we visited was Bangkok, Thailand. While Bangkok was not the ideal honeymoon location, we still had a great time and explored quite a bit of the city and checked out several of the malls. One of the malls that was a block away from our hotel was the Siam Paragon next to Siam Square. I’ve been told recently that this is the most expensive mall in Bangkok. I’m not surprised.
The Siam Paragon World Watch and Jewelry 2009 Show Signs – It runs until August 15th, 2009.
There was an abundance of Watch Retailers which were about to do a large show in the following weeks, which in fact is now underway. One of the larger dealers in the mall was PMT The Hour Glass, an incredible store that sells Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet among many others.
Additionally there was a separate Patek Philippe dealer and Omega Dealers as well. The sheer amount of watches was mind-boggling. I wasn’t expecting this in Bangkok. Hong Kong, yes, but not Bangkok.
There was a huge watch display out in the middle of the mall with twenty or so watch case with stuff from IWC to Harry Winston Opus models and Breitling that was simply incredible. I had a great time and would have taken more close up pics if there wasn’t three security guards hovering around the area at all times. I was getting nervous!
August 15th, 2009 at 7:16 am
Hi,
I just came over this site searching for some Breitling reviews on the net.
Great site!
– Then I saw the photo essay from Bangkok.
I am happy to read about your visit and your observations in the Siam Paragon.
The retailers were, as you mention, preparing for one of the two major watch fairs in Bangkok every year, the other being the Central Watch fair.
Being a western watch addict guy living in Bangkok for some years, I am of course not surprised by the watch selection anymore, but what still surprise me is that so many people not really consider Bangkok/Thailand as a place to look for high quality timepieces. It seems that the “old” famous watch heavens like Hong Kong and Singapore still are what people are thinking of. Of course, these places are “crazy” watch places, but really, Bangkok should be on that list as well.
Additionally, when thinking about the buying experience itself, Bangkok is my personal preference. I have been buying fine timepieces in various countries, but not many places can equal Bangkok and Thailand when it comes to the typical hospitality, politeness and pleasure in the buying process. It’s really a special feeling to shop a nice timepiece in Thailand.
Surely, Thailand is unfortunately known for, how to say, the “lesser original watches” as well, but as you can see, in the real shops the selection of the real stuff can be incredible. Additionally the local watch community, especially in Bangkok is very, very sophisticated.
I am glad you “discovered” the watch floor in the Siam Paragon, but you should really have had time and luck to visit the REAL watch fair at the top floor when it opened.
It’s surely a crazy and mind ripping experience for anyone interested in watches!
Thanks again for your post,
Bent
August 15th, 2009 at 9:47 am
Hi Bent, I would have loved to see the show, but I left before the show actually started so was unable to. Good to hear that it was such a great experience!
September 30th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Hi,
I saw the watch fair @ Paragon, and it was beautiful! Such a vast collection of world class time pieces all in one hall!
The Chopard had some really expensive, diamond studded watches.
June 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Thanks for posting this good article. I hope Pattaya Thailand remains stable and relatively peaceful. I love this country and the Thai people.