Marcus Watches is simply not your average “mom and pop” watch store. Situated in London’s upscale Bond Street, the 4-floor retail space enjoys a sort of cult status among watch aficionados for its wide selection of independent brands in what I refer to as the “alternative horology” segment as well as established brands like Audemars Piguet, Corum and Hublot, not to mention all the unique pieces and limited editions (usuially in Marcus’ signature colors of black and red) made for the store by such brands.

Just to give you a little background, the shop is named after its owner Marcus Margulies, owner of Time Products, the UK distributor for brands such as Hublot, Franck Muller and MB&F. At one time, Time Products handled the entire distribution of Audemars Piguet in the UK, USA and Switzerland. So yeah, Marcus knows his watches. Stepping into his boutique, it feels more like a space for a personal collection than a retail store.

I originally decided to stop by Marcus to have a look at the unique 10-piece set made for the store by Greubel Forsey, which my friends at Watch Anish posted about a while back. Encountering any Greubel Forsey is a treat really, but a blacked-out 10-piece set for the store that has issued some of my favorite limited editions? This I absolutely had to see.

But as I said, Marcus is not your average watch shop. Just looking at the pieces neatly set in the street side display windows, you know you’re in for a real treat; the kind you usually only get to enjoy during watch fairs and exhibitions. I don’t think you can find another watch retail space with as many unique pieces and tourbillons per square foot as you would at Marcus. Their slogan “The most important collection of watches in the World” is truly fitting.

In fact, I saw so many impressive pieces that I decided to split my visit into two parts. In this post, I’d like to show you some of exceptional and rare pieces I got to see.

The first object of lust I saw was in fact not a watch at all. It was the MB&F Music Machine, an impressive musical box built in collaboration with Reuge, the best of the best. The Music Machine had me at “Imperial March”.

A unique Richard Mille RM016 for Marcus with a full diamond baguette-set case.

A watch I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing in the metal, the Audemars Piguet Millenary Cabinet No.5 featuring a direct impulse escapement, linear perpetual calendar display and deadbeat seconds, one of only 20 in the world.

And if you’re treating yourself, you might want to consider something like this high-jewelry baguette-set AP Royal Oak.

An object I had always wanted to see is the mind-blowing Urwerk UR-1001 Zeit Device pocket watch, in the Marcus colors of black and red with the slightest touch of white. Don’t be fooled, this is no PVD steel or titanium case. This is blacked out solid platinum! Nearly tore my arm off my shoulder.

And the non-Marcus edition for comparison.

Old school vs new school: a display of HD3 watches with an antique topping tool and clock.

A Marcus edition Corum Ti Bridge.

On my way downstairs, I spotted MB&F HM4 Razzle Dazzle in all its riveted splendour.

Hmmm, what do we have here?

A unique set of 3 Richard Mille divers for Marcus!

The private underground vault room with its winder wall, full of beautiful Audemars Piguet pieces…

…Including the Marcus edition Royal Oak Offshore in a black DLC case with white strup, crown and pushers.

As I was on my way out of the store, I couldn’t help but snap a few shots of some the pieces on display, like these Urwerks.

Including perhaps my favorite Urwerk of all, the UR-CC1 Cobra for Marcus.

The Richard Mille pieces were also noteworthy

Like the Marcus edition RM016

Or the Boucheron unique piece which Marcus had factory-set with baguette diamonds.

And if I wasn’t envious enough at that point, they just had to put my two favorite MB&F pieces side by side, the LM1 and the Sarpaneva-infused MoonMachine.

And finally, a parting shot with my Marcus edition Hublot Big Bang from ’07 with the Marcus flag.

A special thank you to Alex for the warm welcome and taking the time to show me all these dream pieces. Also thanks to Liam and Oliver for making Marcus the horological heaven it is.

Stay tuned for some up close and personal shots of the Greubel Forsey unique 10-piece set for Marcus coming this Friday!

More info at www.marcuswatches.co.uk