Urban System in America-Chapter 103 - 102: Watches

After his grand purchase of nearly the entire collection at the boutique, Rex stepped back onto the sun-drenched streets of Rodeo Drive. He paused for a moment and took a deep breath of the crisp California air.

The afternoon sun cast golden streaks across the glistening shop windows of Rodeo Drive, each storefront shimmering like a slice of opulence, and a light breeze rustled the neatly arranged palms that lined the pristine sidewalks.

Rex paused in the middle of the sidewalk, the buzz of luxury cars and murmured chatter drifting past him like background music. He tilted his head slightly, eyes scanning the high-end storefronts lining Rodeo Drive. Where to go next?

Despite practically emptying one store already, his shopping spree was far from over—in fact, it had only just begun.

Today wasn’t just about buying clothes; no, this was a mission. A personal investigation, if you will. He wanted to fully immerse himself in the experience and finally understand—once and for all—what made shopping so addictive, especially for women. And why were they so obsessed with it?

Was it the thrill of discovery? The satisfaction of finding that perfect piece? Or simply the joy of spending money like it didn’t matter?

Not that he wanted to or anything. Definitely not. He was merely sacrificing his precious time and hard-earned money for the sake of curiosity and the advancement of knowledge. A noble endeavor, really.

As he strolled beneath the shade of swaying palm trees lining the boulevard, his thoughts drifted. He had already secured a good mix of upper and lower wear, even a couple of statement pieces—but something was still missing.

Shoes. Of course. What good was a stylish outfit without the right footwear to anchor it?

"Okay, that’s it," he muttered to himself with a decisive nod. "Let’s find some good pairs of shoes."

Just something sharp and stylish for daily wear, nothing too wild.

With that, he continued down the sunlit path, walking at a relaxed yet confident pace. His eyes scanned the storefronts on either side, looking for any sign of a high-end sneaker boutique or a sleek designer shoe outlet.

But then, just as he turned to check the other side of the street, his eyes caught something in the corner of a grand window display.

Not shoes. freēwēbnovel.com

Watches.

The display itself was elegant—almost ethereal. It was arranged artfully. The watches were lit from beneath with dim, moody lighting, their metal casings and crystal faces gleaming like constellations against a backdrop of soft suede. A single spotlight illuminated a timepiece placed dead center, mounted like a crown jewel.

But what drew his eyes wasn’t just the aura of wealth—it was the craftsmanship. Mechanical wonders in steel, leather, and gold, each carrying a story in their ticking hearts.

His eyes dropped instinctively to his own wrist—bare.

Right. I don’t even have a watch yet.

To be honest, watches had always fascinated him. Even back in his previous life, despite never being able to afford a decent one, he would often browse catalogs online, dreaming. To him, watches weren’t just about keeping time. They were legacy, craftsmanship, and elegance wrapped into one.

Without hesitation, he strode toward the entrance.

The soft chime of a bell sang out as the door opened, breaking the tranquility inside. The air carried a faint aroma of polished wood and leather—calm, refined, and expensive. The ambiance was hushed, like a chapel, and the lighting was low and focused, with display counters arranged like miniature temples of time.

A man in a dark tailored suit—mid-thirties, sharp jawline, perfectly styled hair—turned the moment Rex entered. There was no surprise, no raised brow. Just a quiet confidence as he walked forward with a posture honed by years of refinement.

"Good afternoon, sir," he said smoothly. "Welcome to Montclair & Co."

Rex returned the gesture with a polite smile, his tone relaxed. "Thanks. I’d like to take a closer look at the watch in the window—the one with the black leather strap."

"Of course, sir," the salesman replied, his voice smooth and low. "Would you like to browse similar styles as well? We have a few collections you might find interesting."

"Yeah, why not?" Rex smiled. "Always better to compare."

The man—who introduced himself as Claude— led him to a polished glass counter, unlocking it with a small silver key. Inside were rows of timepieces, each laid out with surgical precision.

One by one, he began presenting watches from across the spectrum. There were vintage-inspired pieces with minimalist dials, sleek modern designs with open skeleton faces, and even some extravagant, gem-studded models meant more for collectors than wearers.

"These are all handmade," Claude explained gently, his voice the perfect mix of knowledge and reverence. "Crafted in our workshop in Geneva. We don’t sell them through third parties. Only through our own stores, to ensure they reach the right wrists."

Rex leaned closer, listening intently.

Claude continued—not with the forced pitch of a salesman, but with the reverence of a curator unveiling masterpieces, pointing out different dial types. "This one features a California Dial—Roman numerals on top, Arabic on the bottom. A rare configuration, usually seen in vintage dress watches."

"A favorite among collectors."

Rex nodded, interested.

"This one here has a Skeleton Dial—note how it exposes the inner workings. Each gear, spring, and escapement laid bare like a living mechanism."

And here, we have an Enamel Dial—made using a special glass-fusing technique. Takes days to finish a single face."

Rex watched with genuine interest, occasionally asking questions. "What about the movement? Mechanical or automatic?"

"Both, depending on the model," the man said. "Most of our premium watches use tourbillons or perpetual calendars—complications that are notoriously hard to craft."

The salesman continued his guided tour, moving from Moon Phase Dials that tracked the lunar cycle with celestial grace to Tapisserie Dials with hand-cut geometric textures, the GMT Dial, which could tell time in two zones and even a rare Meteorite Dial—actual stone from the heavens, carved and treated into a face.

Each piece came with a story, a history.

(End of Chapter)