“I check the website daily, as I never know what deals I’m going to find,” states a Canadian businessman, who has been collecting luxury watches all of his adult life.
The “website” is ShopWorn.com, the two-year-old brainchild of Richard and Larry Birnbaum, veteran retailers in the luxury-goods market, with particularly deep knowledge — and connections — in the watch sector. After spending decades sourcing and selling designer merchandise at “good” prices, the Brothers Birnbaum knew it was time to establish their own website, and thus, ShopWorn.com was established. “We knew we could deliver quality, value, and reliable service,” notes CEO Richard Birnbaum, “and today, I am proud to say, our reputation on rating sites like TrustPilot is impeccable.” That north-of-the-border executive echoes those thoughts: “I have found some amazing deals and have bought over half a dozen prestige watches, all great buys, all like-new, representing terrific value.”
To further distinguish ShopWorn from other sources that may sell luxury goods without “provenance,” everything sold on ShopWorn is literally just that — gently handled display models, formerly showcased in a manufacturer’s own branded boutique or in an authorized, reliable dealership. A watch may have spent its entire life in a safe or display case, perhaps having been tried on once or even never! The ShopWorn team travels the globe, seeking coveted merchandise, and oftentimes buys directly from the manufacturer (sometimes ShopWorn can acquire excess goods that were not even shipped to a boutique); with a discerning eye for taste and a loupe for imperfections, the staff rigorously inspects every timepiece, rejecting models that are not in pristine condition. (Most watches come with the original box and paperwork.) And what you see is what you get: photographs on the site are of the actual product, not stock pictures from a catalog.
Currently, the website carries merchandise from approximately 70 high-end manufacturers. Shopworn, responding to customer inquiries, has expanded its offerings to also include luxury accessories including writing instruments, cufflinks, and small leather goods. But, the heart and soul of ShopWorn is watches, and the roster of brands represented on the site bears this out, to name but a few: Jaquet Droz, H. Moser & Cie., Ball Watch Co., Carl F. Bucherer, Graham, Dewitt, and Girard-Perregaux. All watches come with a two-year international warranty.
The ShopWorn site caters to knowledgeable, discriminating collectors, who are eager to snag a deal (some pieces are discounted by as much as 80% off the MSRP) while expanding a collection or filling in a “gap.” Merchandise is limited and products change daily. Following is but a sample of the well-priced products you’ll find—and with luck, you’ll land your own “best deal ever,” as one TrustPilot reviewer noted.
Inspired by the straightforward aesthetics of Bauhaus, the Venturer Small Seconds dress watch by H. Moser & Cie features a 39 mm 18k white gold case, a white lacquer dial, and an in-house hand-wound movement visible through the sapphire caseback. (Retail Price: $20,500; ShopWorn Price: $11,395; 44% Savings)
Designed in collaboration with famed American atmospheric scientist Joshua Wurman, the robust Ball Fireman Storm Chaser Pro Chronograph includes a 42 mm stainless steel case that is not only waterproof to 100 meters but also shock resistant to 5,000 Gs. (Retail Price: $3,399; ShopWorn Price: $1,595; 53% Savings)
Named after the home of British motorsports, the Graham Silverstone Vintage 30 chronograph marries modern elements such as an oversized 47 mm steel case and an automatic movement with vintage touches like the hobnail bezel and retro style font. (Retail Price: $8,050; ShopWorn Price: $2,875; 64% Savings)
Offering day of the week, date of the month, and week of the year indicators, along with center hour and minute hands and a running seconds display, this 18k rose gold Carl F. Bucherer Patravi Automatic watch pairs practicality and preciousness. (Retail Price: $31,500; Shopworn Price: $9,200; 71% Savings)
A dive watch with a difference, the Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk sports an asymmetrical 44 mm steel case with the winding crown uniquely positioned at 5 o’clock while the dial includes a power-reserve indicator along with a date window and seconds subdial.
That Terra Cielo Mare is just gorgeous!