Do people feel, in general, that pawn shops are good spots to find collectible watches? I’m very new to the vintage watch game and never thought to check pawn shops. Any stories of rare or collectable watches being found in pawn shops? I guess it cannot hurt to pop in to them from time to time and peak around.
I’ve found several at a local pawn shop. In some instances the shop knows exactly what they have, in others I’ve gotten ahold of some valuable pieces for very low prices. Bring your phone, take photos of the watch and try and have them pop them open to see the movement, grab a photo. That’ll let you go home and do some solid research into what you’re seeing. I’ve bought things that turn out to be total wastes of money, some fakes and redials are going to be very difficult to spot, especially for us noobs.
Pawn shops are really difficult. I'm finding that a lot will sift through what they take and sell it to dealers, so only the bottom of the barrel will reach the sales floor, just so people who trade in their heirlooms have something to look at when they walk in... But sometimes you get lucky and you find someone selling for scrap gold...
Yes pawn shops can be a good source. I've found more firearms and Morgan silver dollars in accumulating for other collecting hobbies than I have watches, but have picked up a few watches over the years, even long after the advent of Ebay. Proof that with Omega Forum's advice even a blind hog of a noob like me can find an occasional acorn. https://omegaforums.net/threads/how-much-speedmaster-can-1400-buy.19634/ https://omegaforums.net/threads/another-first-speedy-thread.20591/ Oh yeah. Then there is this one. A cute little post-war Glycine all stainless steel military style watch. $5 (may have been less than that) in good running condition from the now defunct South Main Pawn Shop in Cleburne, Texas. Of course that was some 35 odd years ago. It's been my beater ever since: chores, hiking, hunting, fishing. The crown used to have most of its plating back when I got it.
I bought my first proper watch in a Pawn shop in Islington. An Omega Flightmaster for £390. Probably worth about £800 at the time(around the millennium).
With the internet I’d be surprised to find deals. The ones by me know exactly what they have. In theory an unmarked Longines Majetek is rare and basically impossible to search for... or maybe even a civilian dirty dozen might sneak through... things that are rare and impossible to google if you are clueless as to what it is...
Only once. Pawn shop buy at just over scrap price. I think I paid £630.00 and it came on a period 9k bracelet (not Rolex though). Surprising really as it’s the brand you’d least expect to slip through.
I got excited 2 weeks ago, at a Nomos in a local shop. Turned out to be fake. I haven't yet bought a watch in a pawn shop
I checked few around me once or twice, and no luck. Hell, one of them had fake Rolex in the case, and he knew it was fake too. There were few low end quartz watches, but that was about it really. May pop in again to few other ones, who knows what I stumble on.
I used to buy a few guitars from pawnshops. I only ever see dross or fantastically overpriced watches when I look. Bric a brac shops are better..
Yeah I’d imagine the internet really put the stop on rare pieces falling through the cracks. Although I’m sure there are still gems to be found. All part of the thrill of the hunt. I have a few in my hometown I haven’t checked yet. I’ll be up in Detroit in a week or so, gonna check out some shops up there. Fingers crossed.