Meridian Jewelers — Local services in Aspen

My wife and I were visiting Aspen a few weeks ago to celebrate our 20th anniversary. I saved some money through the year for us to use to purchase items that would be special to us as we celebrated a significant milestone. I am a watch enthusiast and I knew I wanted to consider a new timepiece to celebrate the 20 year journey. I like that I can bring a watch home with me and notice it on my wrist from time to time - reminding me of our trip to Colorado and the relationship that is such a large part of my life.

We visited Meridian and met Kenny, Robin, Lori, Ivanna, and Natalie....and probably a few others, too. Everywhere we turned we met another friendly person who was enthusiastic about jewelry and watches, who was not pretentious, and who was not trying to "sell" us anything. The advisor that ultimately helped us make our purchase was Natalie Voss. She was terrific.

I am a true watch enthusiast. I love mechanical timepieces and I appreciate watches at many different price points and different styles. When I buy a watch to add to my collection, I am very intentional about it as I plan to own it for a while, if not forever. I also plan to wear and enjoy each watch I own. In some ways, this makes me an easier client to work with, but in others, it may make me more particular or more difficult. Natalie was so patient with us as we looked at pieces, talked about watches, and tried on anything I wanted to see.

I came into the store thinking I would take a look at any Rolex watches available (just in case something was in stock and I found myself at the right place at the right time), but I was more seriously thinking about adding the Cartier Santos medium stainless steel watch to my collection. Natalie gave me the time to consider this watch, to try it on, to just let it sit beside us as we looked at other things, and to thoroughly digest this watch as well as other possibilities.

At the end of the day, I settled on the Santos de Cartier, in the medium format. I love the watch. I love the medium, which is a bit more true to the design history of the watch and more proportionate in its overall look. The fact that I have smaller wrists helped me to choose the medium as well. The watch was the perfect pick for this occasion and for this trip to Colorado.

The watch is delivering exactly what I had hoped for. But what about the watch purchasing experience? Mechanical watches are so unnecessary - we can just check our phones for the time. They are not only unnecessary, but luxury mechanical watches are expensive. Buying these items is not a practical thing - it is an emotional one. Therefore, the buying experience is a more important part of the purchase than simply acquiring the product, like groceries. Meridian is a terrific place to spend time, to talk about watches, and to feel as though you are with friends or family that share a common interest, instead of with people trying to sell you something or that create an uncomfortable pretense.

Natalie was a perfect expression of a luxury experience, a friendly experience, and a thoroughly enjoyable way to make a significant purchase, one that is emotional, and is fun.

Natalie also helped my wife find a necklace she loves and our entire time in the store was so enjoyable. They know their stuff and they care about the experience. The feel is of a smaller family-owned businsess, but one that carries plenty of weight (just look at the brands they are authorized to sell), what a great place to buy a watch!

We loved our time in Aspen and hope to visit again. If we do, we will drop in to Meridian and see Natalie and our friends there. If you are in Aspen and interested in watches or jewelry, drop in and say hello. They will make you feel welcome and will be excited to simply show off their beautiful pieces and talk shop with you. If you end up purchasing something, you will feel comfortable and valued...

I first laid eyes on the Tudor BB58 pre-COVID 19. An AD had one, on special order, and was kind enough to show it to me. I subconsciously thought about the BB58 ever since.

Fast forward to Friday, 8/4. I called up Meridian Jewelers, in Aspen, CO asking if they had a BB36 with black dial and SS bracelet. The salesperson, Stephan, said they had not. Which I replied, "Is there an off-chance you have the BB58 with black dial and SS bracelet?" He said, "Yes we do!" My jaw dropped and time stood still for what seemed like 5 minutes (even though it was probably 5 seconds). The AD put the BB58 on hold till Saturday, 8/5.

On Saturday morning, I packed a lunch, made coffee, drove 357 miles, and climbed and descended over 4 mountain passes to purchase the BB58. Driving from the Colorado Plateau into the Rocky Mountains, I encountered majestic views, aspen groves, creeks, and a little bit of traffic to bring me back to reality as I arrived in swanky Aspen, CO. The traffic did not help my full bladder which also brought me into the present.

In what seems as irony or maybe just coincidence, the Meridian Jewelers was off of Galena Street in Aspen which is the same street I live off of in Denver. With COVID-19 mask on face, I power-walked to the Meridian Jewelers and, upon being greeted by Robin, the first question I had at this pivotal moment was, "Where is the restroom?"

After biology took its course, I looked in the mirror, washed my hands, and took some deep breaths. When the salesperson sized the BB58's steel bracelet and placed the watch on my left wrist, it felt like Cinderella getting her long, lost slipper. Well, at least that is how I am romanticizing this non-Disney experience.

This hunt was more like divine intervention. It's also a reminder to not force a journey in watch ownership and allow the universe to work its magic. Thank you to Kenny, Robin, Stephan, and Lori for making my Tudor BB58 dream come true!!! I highly recommend Meridian Jewelers for your next modern...

MERIDIAN JEWELERS

Ten years ago I began looking to purchase an “A Lange & Sohne” time piece. The closest place selling such watches included Aspen and Vail—both in Colorado where my sister lived.

In my search for a dealer, I decided on Meridian Jewelers in Aspen. My first contact with this family-owned dealer was Janice Seurynck. Janice turned out to be knowledgeable about Lange watches, helpful and passionate about her profession—also a pleasure to talk to and work with.

I bought my first Lange in 2013 and have purchased two other time pieces from Meridian. What I appreciate most about Meridian remains the customer service—courteous and informative.

Meridian continues to care for me and provide any assistance I need with my watches. Janice and I have become friends and she keeps my up to speed on Lange and other timepieces. We also visit about other interests and what is happening in our lives. I look forward to hearing from Janice and hope to visit with the fine, family of service-oriented professionals at Meridian sometime soon.

Incidentally, I love A Lange & Sohne time pieces. The watches are beautifully-built, keep time flawlessly and a...