Today we’d like to introduce you to Erik Lopez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up within a family of jewelry industry professionals. My grandfather was a lapidary, my mother was a jewelry designer and my father was a graduate gemologist. I was fortunate to be able to learn about the industry at a very young age while cultivating my interests for watches as a young man. I went on to work at By Design Jewelers, the family jewelry store, for many years, and eventually, I purchased the business.
While I was designing jewelry as a full-time profession, in my free time I had begun collecting timepieces and sharing my passion for watches with my friends and the jewelry store’s clientele. After many years of encouragement from friends, family, clients and fellow watch collectors, I decided to establish Guarded Crown as a semi-independent establishment with a rotating curated collection of timepieces. At Guarded Crown, we bring together some of the finest examples of watches for viewing, experiencing and purchase for collectors from around the world.
It has been an incredibly fulfilling journey for me because I’ve been able to share my passion with others, from budding connoisseurs to seasoned collectors.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I have been extremely fortunate that the jewelry store was well established, and in 2020 we will be celebrating 35 years since By Design Jewelers began manufacturing fine jewelry. We have developed so much goodwill within the community that by folding in the watch component to my existing business, I was able to benefit from a strong existing client base.
That being said, starting any entrepreneurial venture requires great risk to achieve great rewards. I started Guarded Crown with my personal watch collection, and have never sought outside venture capital to advance the business.
Please tell us about Guarded Crown.
Guarded Crown presents a meticulously curated revolving selection of new, pre-owned and vintage watches. We believe that collecting watches can be fun, as well as a fruitful investment in an asset class that often goes overlooked by many.
Guarded Crown’s team of watch experts assist in the procurement of watches for private collectors from around the world. At our Coral Gables showroom, we offer advice and have the ability to assist in acquiring fine watches from a variety of sources including auctions, brokers, authorized dealers and private sellers.
Our standard is excellence. We offer a participatory experience that begins where other watch dealers end. We provide insight to the consumer about the product that other sellers simply don’t offer.
Our specialty is Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega and Tudor. Additionally, we present a myriad of offerings from other major and independent brands. We also curate a wonderful selection of lifestyle goods, such as watch rolls, cases and straps made from the finest materials.
Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
Very much related to my business, I vividly remember seeing my childhood friend’s father, Paul Fenster, wearing his Rolex GMT Master, Reference 1675 circa 1979. This watch is the watch that started it all for me. I was obsessed with the blue and red bezel insert, contrasting with the stark matte black dial and white luminescent plots. No other timepiece has had such a profound effect on me. Nearly forty years later, I was able to acquire that specific watch from the family of Paul Fenster. The “Pepsi” GMT, as collectors call it, sparked a passion that has blessed me for so many years.
Contact Info:
- Address: 1607 Ponce de Leon Blvd.
Suite 106
Coral Gables, FL 33134 - Website: guardedcrown.com
- Phone: 305-441-9347
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: instagram.com/guardedcrown
- Facebook: facebook.com/guardedcrown
- Other: youtube.com/channel/UCB2luy9CElpBcQj4mr7LHnw
Image Credit:
Erik Lopez
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