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Sunday, February 9th
AuthenticWatches is a watch store that's family-owned and focuses on Swiss-made luxury timepieces. AuthenticWatches was started as McPherson Jewelers, which opened in 1979 as an authorized dealer of watches and jewelry. Based in Southern California, this retailer moved into the online space to serve a worldwide customer base (which is when it changed its name from McPherson to AuthenticWatches). With a promise of 100% authentic Swiss watches, the selection may be slightly more limited but includes plenty of high-quality watches in its inventory.
Could use a visual update
The top menu bar offers you direct links to specific brands like Rolex, Breitling, Omega, and Cartier right away. If you look far enough to the right of your screen, you'll also see the option to browse by men's or women's watches. AuthenticWatches offers filters like brand, dial color, movement, case size, case material, and price. However, using these filters may be difficult depending on the browser you use. For example, the site glitched for us while using Firefox, but seemed totally fine on Microsoft Edge. The listings themselves are detailed including the name and brand of the watch, but the text can feel tight and hard to read on some browsers. Once you click through the listing, you'll see details about whether or not a particular watch is in stock, whether it is new or used, and the expected delivery window.
Around 800 watches to choose from
Specializing in Swiss watches, AuthenticWatches includes mostly Swiss brands with a few popular extras. You can expect to see TAG Heuer, Breitling, Omega, Baume & Mercier, Oris, Rolex, Cartier, Tissot, Movado, MontBlanc, Tudor, Hublot, and Piguet. The number of items in stock is much lower at AuthenticWatches compared to other sites in our review: there were only 475 men's watches and 328 women's watches. The most popular brands are Rolex and Omega and the most offered watch-face color was white mother of pearl (65 watches) and silver (44 watches). There were also a handful of smartwatches by Tag Heuer.
Prices from $850 to $199,000
We compared prices at each watch store by looking at the price ranges for men's, women's, and smartwatches. We also found the best sale watch too, so you can see what kind of deals you might expect. The least expensive watch for men was a Baume & Mercier Hampton and the cheapest option for women was a Michele Serein Limited The most costly options were a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with 18k White Gold for men and a Rolex Lady-Datejust with White Gold for women. The price ranges include:
Free next-day shipping
AuthenticWatches has an impressive shipping policy that says any item listed as "in stock” will ship the same day you order. All purchases over $500 will receive free FedEx overnight shipping on any weekday. Since all of the watches offered by AuthenticWatches are over that threshold, you can expect free next-day shipping on every single order you place.
30-day refund policy
AuthenticWatches offers a 30-day free return policy also. If you're not satisfied with your new watch for any reason, you can return it within 30 days of the date it was shipped to you. You won't have to pay shipping or restocking fees either. With so many big-ticket items for sale here, this is a great policy to help you feel confident in making an order.
Red flags for warranties and returns
Currently, AuthenticWatches has a full "A+” rating on the Better Business Bureau, but the reviews show some concerns. At Trustpilot, the average rating for AuthenticWatches is just 2.4 stars, and on Sitejabber the average is just 1.7 stars. Customers complain that warranties weren't honored on watches purchased from AuthenticWatches. Further, customers noted that similar or the same watches could be found elsewhere for much lower prices. With increasing complaints about difficult customer service reps, repeated issues with warranties across review platforms, and some customers not receiving a full refund as promised, AuthenticWatches raises quite a few red flags.
Don't waste your money
Despite an impressive inventory of luxury watches, AuthenticWatches has extremely negative reviews with a host of issues, including problems with warranties and returns. Considering the high price tag for many of these watches, it's important that you're able to trust the company you're buying from. For this reason, AuthenticWatches isn't a spot you want to consider.
Putting together an outfit that shines is more than just matching your shoes and belt or picking out the right fabric. To finish off your look, a statement piece is the best option. And what better way than to accessorize your suit and tie, workwear, or everyday brunch fit with a unique timepiece that is 100% you?
While watches might seem like something that's going out of style with the rise of smartphones to tell you the time, there's nothing quite as classy as a stylish watch on your wrist (whether you need it for timekeeping or not) to put a finishing touch on your next look. With so many watches to choose from, it's hard to know where to buy. But thankfully online shopping makes it easier than ever to get your next daily-wear or special-occasion timepiece to add to your collection.
Now, there are plenty of wristwatches for all shapes, sizes, and genders. From radio-controlled watches to traditional battery-powered, or atomic clocks to smartwatches, there is a timepiece out there for everyone. Whether you love something a little antique or you're looking for a Graff statement piece or a Hublot gift for a special someone, there are so many styles out there today that you can have your pick of prices, metals, and gemstones to adorn your wrist.
The history of watches and watchmaking is an interesting one. The first portable watches were developed in the 16th century in Nuremberg, Germany. Called "clock watches”, these were usually worn on clothing or on a chain around your neck. Considered a key part of one's outerwear, clock watches were usually heavily engraved and decorated. The pocket watch was the next iteration, developed in the 17th century. If you're thinking of the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland, you've got the right idea. The wristwatch wasn't popularized until the early 1800s, and the designs were primarily designed for women until officers in the British Army began using them during military campaigns in the 1880s.
With a range of sites that offer specialized watches or one-stop shops that give you a glimpse at almost all the watches on the market, there are plenty of places to search for a casual watch or something that could be a fashion item and an investment. If it's time for you to get your next watch (pun intended), but you're not sure where to look, don't worry. We're here to help.
With so many sites and retailers out there, we've put together some factors to help you narrow down your favorites. Here's what you might want to look for:
To help you get your next accessory or timepiece, Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the top retailers and watch stores out there today. Now, all you need to do is enjoy the browsing experience and decide whether you want a smartwatch, a traditional watch, or something in between. Happy shopping!
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