After traveling the world for his watch and jewelry wholesale business, Allon Zohar has opened a retail salon in New York named Iconic Timepieces, where he can meet with clients, host events, and serve as a catalyst for building the city’s watch community.
Zohar opened the appointment-only Iconic Timepieces showroom, located near Bryant Park in midtown Manhattan, in June. The space reflects his love for luxury products—it sells not only vintage and modern watches but also fine jewelry and designer handbags—and he hopes its lounge-like setting inspires people to visit, shop, and hang out.
“My motto is ‘Come in as a customer and leave as a friend,’” says Zohar. “I created the salon’s whole concept around that motto. You can come in and meet cool, interesting, exciting new people. It’s a business, but it’s also about connecting.
“People who want to invest in watches and jewelry are looking for a space where they feel comfortable, something that looks like a living room,” he says.
Art and special objects on display give the Iconic Timepieces space the look of a gallery.
“But they, on the other hand, also want good pricing. I wanted to create the combination of those two points at Iconic Timepieces—they are both critical for a good business and to make my retail clients feel comfortable.”
Zohar says he chose to make the salon by-appointment-only so he has time to prepare for each customer visit. For example, a couple who comes in to look for engagement rings needs to see a variety of gemstones and settings in a quiet, contemplative environment. If someone wants a gold Rolex, Zohar would bring out five different options and spend time reviewing and discussing each one.
“I plan on pinpointing specifically what each client wants,” he says. “We want to create a safe, happy vibe where they can relax.”
Rolex watches are among the wide array of luxury goods at Iconic Timepieces’ new Manhattan showroom.
For watch collectors, Zohar put an area in the showroom with a couch and additional seating—a welcoming space where both new and existing clients can feel like it is their salon for gathering, talking timepieces, and shopping.
“This is a space where they can bring their friends,” he says. “In my two decades in this business, I’ve traveled a lot to exhibitions, jewelry stores, and watch stores worldwide, from Asia to Europe to Australia to Canada. I’ve met so many people, and I want them to feel comfortable here.”
Iconic Timepieces customers will be able to work with Zohar’s longtime partners to design custom jewelry. And from time to time he plans to host events, such as whiskey tastings, at the showroom.
He invested in display spaces for his luxury handbags and also for interesting objects and art, so people visiting will find lots to talk about while browsing or just enjoying conversations.
“New York City is a very social place, and I’m always superhappy to meet new people,” Zohar says.
Top: Inside Iconic Timepieces’ new appointment-only salon in Manhattan (photos courtesy of Iconic Timepieces)