Hour Passion: Shop the Range

Last week, while perusing the Hour Passion Baselworld watch preview, I was struck yet again by the range of prices in Swatch's multi-brand boutique. From the outside, a shopper might think Hour Passion is too luxury for their timepiece needs, so today I want to show just how far your dollar can go in this mecca of Swiss watches.

First up, the Swatch watch, spotted in fun candy themes for summer for $60, and chic nautical stripes for $120.

Next, Balmain, starting below at $400.

Certina, starting at $540...

...and on up from there in several brands, including the prestige brand Longines, and the Hamilton watch featured in our Baselworld post last week, below, that will be available later this year for $3,295.

Impressive, right? Hour Passion also has repair on site and a lounge and showroom on the second floor.

Hour Passion

112 West 34th Street at Broadway

Hour Passion on 34th Street: The Watches, The Tour

We've got the perfect gift for that impossible person on your list, and it's going to be a memorable little (or big) something from one of the best watch boutiques in town: Hour Passion.

Swatch Group, the world’s largest watchmaker, recently opened their first Hour Passion concept boutique in the United States at 112 W. 34th Street, and last week we got the grand tour. The store offers collections from the Swatch Group’s brands in one location, and it is one wonderful location to browse.

There is a lovely lounge on the mezzanine, and an exhibition space on the top floor, which is now showing an historic Tissot exhibition of Swiss watches and lingerie from 1873-2013.

What I love most about Hour Passion on 34th Street is its impressive selection and price-range. Need a special stocking stuffer for your child? Get them a Flik Flak watch for $50. Looking to get your husband that gorgeous timepiece he's been coveting for years? Hour Passion has the largest collection of Tissot watches in the U.S.

The boutique also carries Mido, Balmain and Certina (exclusively in the U.S.), has an impressive selection of Rado watches (popular with professional tennis players), and Calvin Klein watches and jewelry. Hour Passion's Longines collection, the store's prestige brand, has truly impressive depth in luxury steel and gold timepieces.

And don't forget the Swatch watches. I have a soft spot for a Swatch watch, as mine back in the day lasted forever. There is nothing like a Swatch for putting some fun and color on your wrist. Currently, Hour Passion is featuring the 2013 limited-edition holiday watch released by Swatch Company. Its red woven knit band perfectly complements its shiny red dial with a glossy gold-colored reindeer. This collector’s model is presented in a snowy white gift box, with a decorated hot water bottle.

Big bonus for watch lovers and collectors: Hour Passion hosts an on-site watch-maker who performs repairs on any brand represented in the store, no matter where the timepiece was purchased.

Aren't we lucky to have the world's largest watch manufacturer showing off its breadth of style and price on 34th Street, just in time for the holidays?


Hour Passion

112 W. 34th Street just west of Broadway

Holiday hours: 9am – 11pm Monday through Saturday, 9am – 10pm on Sundays 

Hour Passion Opens Tomorrow on 34th Street!

Big news: tomorrow, on Black Friday, the first Hour Passion store in the U.S. opens on 34th Street! The Swatch Group, the world's largest watch manufacturer, is behind this multi-brand concept boutique that includes Longines, Rado, Tissot, Balmain, Certina, Mido, Hamilton, Calvin Klein Watch and Jewelry, Swatch, and Flik-Flak.

Image courtesy of The Swatch Group

Soon after the Herald Square Hour Passion opens, Swatch will open a second U.S. location in Las Vegas. The 2,500 square foot 34th Street boutique, just steps from Herald Square and across the street from Macy's Herald Square, will feature each brand in its own retail area. Exclusively in New York is a mezzanine lounge where customers can view selected timepieces and brand exhibits and novelties.

Image courtesy of The Swatch Group

Nick Hayek, President of Swatch Group Management Board said: “The US market and the American consumer are very important to us. We feel that they should be served in the best way possible. The outstanding Hour Passion boutiques in New York and Las Vegas will give consumers a chance to experience some of our finest brands.”

Special opening day hours for Black Friday are 8am-9:30pm, and Hour Passion will offer an exclusive brand gift with each purchase. During the holiday season, the store will be open from 9am to 10pm Monday-Saturday and 9am to 8pm on Sunday. Regular hours will be 10 am to 8 pm Monday-Saturday and 11am to 7pm on Sunday.

Welcome to 34th Street and New York City, Hour Passion!

Hour Passion

112 West 34th Street just west of Broadway

Opening tomorrow, November 29th, 8am