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Milan, and much of Italy in general, has a rich cultural heritage dating back to the Roman Empire. The real joy of Milan, however, is the absolute immersion of design and fashion from more recent history. When you think of fashion, you almost immediately think of Milan due to the globally influential Milan Fashion Week events. We’ve found that generally, any city with ties to fashion and design tends to have an undercurrent of horology and watch enthusiasts. Milan is no exception.
Before we get into the watches themselves, it’s important to note just how wonderful a city Milan is to visit—the art, architecture, museums, and local culture are absolutely incredible, and we cannot overstate how wonderful a destination the city is. I highly recommend spending a couple of days there if you get the opportunity on your next European trip.
Address: Via Caradosso 2 Milan, Italy
Phone/WhatsApp: +39024818697
Web: https://www.bernardinimilano.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bernardinimilano
Bernardini, located in the heart of Milan near Leonardo’s “Last Supper,” is more than just a vintage watch shop—it’s a case study in elegance and taste. Honestly, I’m not sure I’ve ever experienced anything quite like it, and I’ve been on a global, seemingly endless pursuit of horological treasures. Stepping into Bernardini, you immediately feel the weight of history and sophistication.
Founded by Franco Bernardini in 1982 as a vintage jewelry shop, it later evolved when Max Bernardini joined in the late ’80s, bringing a keen focus on vintage watches. By 1999, Max became the primary stakeholder, transforming the business into a watch-lover’s haven. Max’s knowledge is truly vast, covering brands like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Audemars Piguet, and Rolex, with an emphasis on complications. During my time there, I spent hours talking watches with Max, and what struck me was how much I learned from him. His passion is real, and it’s something I connected with immediately.
Max is one of the foremost experts on vintage Patek Philippe, and his personal favorite, the Patek Philippe ref. 1518, is the ultimate grail for collectors. If you’re ever in Milan, Bernardini is a must-visit. Even if you’re just sipping espresso and admiring the pieces, it’s an experience that any watch enthusiast shouldn’t miss.
What you will find here:
The Bernardini collection offers an impressive range, from Patek Philippe 1518s to vintage Universal Genève chronographs. During my visit, I discovered a beautiful Cartier Tank Louis Cartier on a rare ‘tear drop’ bracelet. While they feature some top-tier grails, they also have an outstanding selection of vintage Rolex sports models and military watches. The way the collection is displayed is just as captivating as the pieces themselves, making it a true feast for any vintage watch enthusiast.
Address: Via Gesu 7, Milan Italy
Phone +39-7956-691437
Web: https://maurideangelis.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/deangelis_finewatches/
Located adjacent to the Four Seasons Hotel is an equally stunning watch shop. Upon entering, you will see stylish watch cases showcasing not a jumble of timepieces, but just a few watches standing proudly on uniquely designed watch stands that seem to float the watch in the middle of the display case. I particularly loved this, as most watch cases are filled with so many watches it can be overwhelming. Here, each watch was suspended, seemingly in mid-air, to be observed and enjoyed.
We were greeted by Maurizio De Angelis and the De Angelis team, and they welcomed us to the lower level of the shop, which was adorned with the same style of watch cases, highlighting some of the pieces the shop has to offer. But De Angelis offers much more than just the watches that are seemingly suspended in the display cases. There is real passion and experience here that defines De Angelis, evident not only in the vibe of the shop but also in the watches that make up the entire collection and available inventory.
One of the things I related to most when spending time with Maurizio was that he shared watches from his personal collection, something I appreciated immensely. Finding peers and dealers who share a passion for collecting—not just the business of dealing—can be hard to come by.
What you will find here:
Don’t let the minimal yet sophisticated displays fool you. The De Angelis team brought out grail after grail—from big crown Submariners and a handful of Paul Newman Daytonas to complicated neo-vintage Patek Philippe references, like a stunning Patek 3971ER. They also showcased watches that are seemingly simple yet just as interesting, like a few mouth-watering early vintage Rolex Datejusts. This is a must-stop when in Milan, especially if you’re looking for grail-level vintage watches.
Address: Via Guglielmo Marconi, P.za del Duomo, 2, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone: +39 392 964 6099
Web:https://www.laboratoriorologeriaduomo.com
IG: https://www.instagram.com/laboratorio_orologeria_duomo/
If you have been following our watch buyers guides you will know we love a tiny seemingly off the grid style of watch shop. I love the feeling of stumbling across a tiny shop hidden under a staircase or on a small seemingly unnoticed street and this type of shop seemingly always tends to reignite my passion and puts me back on what got me started in vintage watches, the hunt of finding a hidden horological treasure. Laboratorio Rologeria Duomo aka Duomo Watchmaking Laboratory isn’t necessarily hidden but its more like hidden plain sight. Most people visiting Milan will of course go to the Duomo di Milano as it’s not only an architectural masterpiece but it’s also one of the things one would “check off the list” when visiting Milan and when entering the “Duomo Area” it’s easy to become overtaken by its beauty. But in the same area seemingly in one of the adjacent entry ways to one of the neighboring buildings exist this small shop filled with a bunch of vintage watches from varying brands, spanning all eras, and price points. The shop when you first spot it kind of looks like a temporary structure which could be easily confused for a souvenir shop preying on the unsuspecting tourists looking to pick up a souvenir or the stereotypical refrigerator magnet. But Laboratorio Orologeria Duomo couldn’t be further from that type of temporary souvenir shop. There really isn’t an interior to the shop, all of the watches are displayed in the windows and if you want to see something you can ask one of the members of the shop to pull it out for you by pointing to the watch behind the glass which for me added to the overall charm and experience of the shop.
What you will find here:
You will find a vast variety of watches here from the lowest pricepoint to the highest. Like most shops they of course have things within the collection that aren’t on public display but the shop is filled with everything from vintage Bulova Spaceview’s early 1940’s chronographs from brands like Eberhard, Angelus and Minerva to esoteric time only Patek Phillippe, when I stopped by I was really impressed with the variety of the selection and the varied pricepoint of the watches they were offering.
Address: Via Meravigli, 18, 20121 Milano MI, Italy
Phone: +39 351 667 3688
Web: https://www.unimaticwatches.com/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/unimaticwatches/
If you’re visiting Milan, the Unimatic Milano showroom is an essential stop. This brand perfectly captures the style, culture, and unmistakable vibe of the city. As a longtime fan of Unimatic, I was so impressed by their blend of quality and affordability that I brought them into the C+T shop. Their designs appeal to horological enthusiasts like myself, and after spending time in Milan, I understood Unimatic even more deeply. The showroom, nestled in a trendy neighborhood, reflects the brand’s cool and modern aesthetic.
Our experience went beyond the showroom—we also visited the Unimatic HQ, where we toured the design studio and explored the brand’s archives, getting an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how these unique timepieces come to life. Just days before heading to Milan, Unimatic released the Modello Uno U1-GMT, a watch I’d been eyeing for myself. Once in the showroom, I couldn’t resist—I ended up buying one and wore it exclusively throughout Milan.
After posting about it on social media, people started asking questions, and the most common one was, ‘How much does that watch cost?’ Most assumed it was a €2,000 watch, and I couldn’t help but chuckle when I told them, ‘Nope, it should be—but it’s actually €675.’ It’s such a cool reminder of my time in Milan, and I know it will become the perfect travel companion in the future. With its GMT complication, it’s not only functional but also stylish and understated, flying under the radar without sacrificing quality, design, or that signature Milanese vibe.
What you will find here:
The entire range of Unimatic production watches and accessories is displayed beautifully in a way that’s chic, cool, and, of course, very much Milan. I loved buying a watch that I will continue to wear, as it’s not only functional for my constant and frequent travels but also a small reminder of my trip to Milan. It fully encompasses what Milan is about—its style, vibe, and passion as a city, and more importantly, as a culture.
Address: Via Lupetta, 5, 20123 Milano MI, Italy
Phone: +39 02 8646 1563
Web: www.oreficerialupetta.it
IG: https://www.instagram.com/oreficerialupetta/
I stumbled across this little shop while walking through the streets of Milan, taking photos of the city and its people as I often find myself doing this as part of my immersion into the city or place that I’m in. As I lifted my road-worn Leica M240 to capture a shot, I noticed a sign in the distance. The sign seemed to feature watches, so naturally, I had to investigate further. Hidden in a small alleyway was Oreficeria Lupetta. I love finding what seem to be hidden gems unexpectedly on my adventures, and this shop was an just that type of discovery.
I spent some time peering into the windows, which displayed a variety of watches—modern, neo-vintage, and vintage. When I entered the shop, I found it to be quite small. As I spoke with the sales associate, she quickly picked up on my interest in vintage watches. She mentioned they had additional pieces that weren’t on display and brought out a few treasures from the vault. Although these weren’t in the shop’s main showcase, they were listed on their website.
What you’ll find here:
A mix of everything, both new and old. If you’re in the neighborhood, Oreficeria Lupetta is worth a visit. Their collection includes many brands spanning different eras. They had the usual suspects, but also some gems from the late ’80s, including Cartier and Patek Philippe. If you spot something you like on their website, ask about it—they may have it in the shop, even if it’s not on display.
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