Hi there guys,

I'm from Egypt and I'm traveling to London in a couple of weeks. It's not my first time in London but my first since I caught the vintage watch bug.

Any vintage watch places/shops I should check out?

Thanks a mil,

aayman

 

Burlington Arcade, nearest tube Piccadilly Circus, is great for browsing vintage watches but don't expect anything near a deal.

You may also find a few in and around Hatton Garden, nearest tube Farringdon, but the area is more modern pieces and jewellery. There is a vintage shop around the corner on 19 Clerkenwell that may be worth checking out if you are in the area.

Enjoy London!

 

There are few vintage watch shops around the Portobello road market, although I must admit I haven't been before

 

Burlington arcade is very nice to see vintage watches but the prices are crazy.

 

Unfortunately the internet is by far and away the place to see large numbers of buyable examples.
Always nice to see in the flesh/metal but almost never comparable price wise with what is available online and at auction.
Burlington arcade is the place.
Alaways worth checking the auction houses to see if they are viewing.
Sotheby's
Christies
Bonhams
Phillips
Watches of Knightsbridge

You might be lucky and coincide with a viewing

 

No permanent showroom in London....

 

Outside of the royal exchange (which you should see anyways).

Again, don't expect any deals in London

 

Hatton Garden is very much like the diamond district in NY. Fun to browse, but more sharks than a Bond film set..

 

Most vintage watch shops in Burlington Arcade are closed on a Sunday, even in run up to Christmas. Just the day when thousands of (often wealthy) people stroll past. Ignoring customers is a great way to lose money - no wonder they have to hike prices!

 

Holy thread resurrection Batman.

 

Last time I was in London I strolled into Covent Garden Market and there were numerous stalls there both selling and trading watches. I had a few Omega Watches including an Italian Chronostop with me to trade and came away with both a Speedmaster Mark ii and a Universal Polerouter. Well worth a visit but I do not know if that market is on a specific day or not. Good luck.

 

That’s the flea market... saturdays I think.

There are a couple of dealers there... at least one builds railmasters out of Seamasters and then says (and I’ve heard this from him at least 5 times):

“Don’t know much about this one, came as a trade in from an old boy”.

Such utter crooks.

 

Hi Aayman

Places to try:
- Austin Kaye on the Strand - expensive but has a large used section
- Portobello Market - but go early (8am) before it fills with tourists
- Grays Antiques market Bond St - mostly jewellery and antiques but many of the jewellery shops also sell watches
- Alfie’s antiques market Lisson Grove - a few shops selling both watches and jewellery. One watch stall, N&S run by an older Middle Easy gentleman, by the front entrance, has a nice selection of old Omegas, Longines and chronographs all at reasonable prices (cant believe I’m sharing this one!)
- Spitalfields Market - I think antiques day is Thursday but check - does include a few stalls that also have watches

Hope you have a greay trip - and bring warm clothing - it’s cold here!

Best wishes