Time To Bling: Haute 5 Jewelry and Watch Boutiques in Los Angeles

Writing about jewelry and watches is, for me, about as tantalizing as writing about the perfect cream puff. It makes spending the rest of the day indulging, inevitable. Who doesn’t love something shiny in the afternoon? Jewelry and timepieces, whether genuine or costume, whether bling or something demure, are covetable accessories that can make or break an outfit. Buy the wrong thing and they can make or break a relationship, too. Finding beautiful jewels in and around the Los Angeles area is an easy task, what with Rodeo Drive, department stores, and the jewelry district. But finding those particularly special pieces takes a bit of homework. We did it for you, so you owe us one. Here are the haute 5 jewelry and watch boutiques in LA.

Westime

With two locations, one on Rodeo Drive and the other in West Coast Plaza, Westime has been servicing watch connoisseurs in the City of Angels since TK. Its unparalleled after-sales service has made them the go-to watch dealer for those collectors with an affinity for well-made and well-maintained luxury timepieces—the store has three full-time certified watchmakers on hand to assist with anything from simple battery replacement to pressure and water-resistance tests. Hublot, Breitling, Girard-Perregaux, IWC, and Vacheron Constantin are just a handful of the superior brands carried at Westime.

Westime has two locations, one at 254 North Rodeo Dr. in Beverly Hills; 310.271.0000, and the other at 10800 West Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles; 310.470.1388

Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers

If you are leaving L.A. for a weekend getaway in Palm Desert, then might we suggest a peek into Leeds & Son Fine Jewelers. The premier jeweler for desert residents, and visitors, Leeds & Son has been open since 1947. There you will find a beautiful 6,300-square-foot facility housing some of the finest jewelry and watch collections available. If that space is too much to cover for a quick visit, then you can’t miss the Rolex area, where they stock a great collection of the brand’s classic timepieces. With its cutting-edge technology, seamless craftsmanship and timeless designs, Rolex watches are a great choice for ladies, gentleman, athletes, and businessmen. And the experienced sales people at Leeds & Son will be sure to set you up with the perfect wristwatch.

Leeds & Son is located at 73-670 El Paseo in Palm Desert; 760.568.5266

Beaudry Flagship Salon

Want to know what more than $1 million worth of high-end décor looks like in 800 square feet? Spend some time at the Beaudry Flagship Salon, located in the plush surroundings of the Montage Beverly Hills, and you might begin to appreciate the level of sophistication that is the result of such figures. When Michael Beaudry started his company in 1986, he began solely as a second-generation master diamond cutter. However, he soon found that designing his own settings for his beautiful gems was crucial, so he put together a team of craftsmen and took a hands-on approach to learning the craft of jewelry manufacturing himself. The most common description for Beaudry’s uncommon designs is “new vintage.” That is, pieces that are designed with an ode to old glamour in mind, most notably found in Beaudry Couture, the line of hand-fabricated, one-of-a-kind pieces that start at $20,000. His wife Laura also gets in on the act and collaborates with the design team to create her own collection under the Beaudry moniker, showcasing pieces like an oval amethyst ring that weighs in at 23.39 carats, accented with .80 TW of round brilliant diamonds, all set in 18-karat gold. But it’s not just about diamonds and gems at Beaudry. Timepieces, made in Switzerland, make appearances as well. This past December, Beaudry celebrated the one-year anniversary of their flagship boutique at the Montage Beverly Hills, and they still take pride in the fact that stepping into the boutique not only feels like an extension of the hotel, but also like its private jewel box. For serious collectors and A-list celebrities, the Beaudry name has been a staple since his start in the industry.

The Beaudry Flagship Salon at Montage Beverly Hills is located at 225 N Canon Drive, Suite C2; 424.241.1000

Lugano Diamonds

It may be a bit outside of the Los Angeles area, but we promise the trip to Newport Beach will be worth it. At Lugano Diamonds, some of the world’s rarest and largest stones are on display—and obtainable, for a price of course. Take, for example, one of its offerings that we shared with readers in the May/June issue of Haute Living Los Angeles: a stunning 30.08-carat, brilliant, round-cut diamond ring, surrounded by 2.86 carats of baguettes, set in platinum, that at the time carried a price tag of $1.85 million. In 2009, the company acquired a rare 55-carat raw diamond that was cut and polished into a gem weighing more than 13 carats. It earned a 2A rating by the Gemological Institute of America, which is only awarded to around two percent of the world’s diamonds. Lugano Diamonds’ flagship salon is located in Fashion Island, adjacent to Newport Center. The elegant hardwood floors, large mirrors, and modern display cases set the tone for privately perusing the pristine collections, and the private Vault Room gives new meaning to the word luxury for those clients making exceptional purchases. Customers can choose to visit the new Grand Salon or set up a private consultation at the location of their choice.

Lugano Diamonds is located at 620 Newport Center, Suite 100, Newport Beach; 949.720.1258

Chong Hing

Another equally fine choice for luxury watches in the Los Angeles area is Chong Hing Jewelers. And, for those of you not in the market for a timepiece, Chong Hing also carries a collection of the finest diamonds, gems, fine jewelry, and gifts and accessories. Bulgari, Chopard, Hearts on Fire, Panerai, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, and more high-end jewelry brands are represented at any one of the six locations throughout California. For almost 40 years, Chong Hing Jewelers has prided itself on distinction and quality, offering customers a range of choices from the classic and timeless to the avant-garde and trendy. Whatever your taste, Chong Hing has something for you.

Chong Hing Jewelers is located at 956 N. Hill Street in Los Angeles; 213.680.4799