hey gang....I'm off to nyc for some r+r next week. still kinda new to vintage watches but looking for some recommendations on where to look for some watches while in town. Any stores, markets, dealers or otherwise? Any recommendations are appreciated. I'm presently into UG, Omega, Rolex, and other fine watches from the 50's-70's.....thx.
A couple of places are John at Alltiques on Bowery Street, Aaron Faber on 5th Ave, the Showplace in Chelsea (I believe there is also the flea market that goes on across the street on weekends, also a big garage sale like a block down from there on the weekends), etc... There are also vintage watches scattered in the Diamond District.
NYC is a great city to look at watches but a terrible place to purchase watches. High rents + High taxes = expensive watches and everything else.
Chelsea garage flea market is now closed. Another new hotel going up. Outdoor flea market 1/2 block east has 1 booth with what seems to have some interesting watches.... I past by the Bowery last Sat.. If i'm not mistaken, the building where John is at is gutted. Farber sucks. I bought a sm300 there over 1 yr ago to have verify if all is original. I specifically asked the head watchmaker if the watch had been molested. Long story short, They said never molested. Later i found out the markers and hands had been relumed. Oh, I think I paid 120$ ish for this.
I'm in NYC and I agree, a bit disappointing for such a big city. Faber is a great place to go to look, but they are very over priced. I saw recently they have an Omega Dynamic similar to this one being sold here http://omegaforums.net/threads/superb-omega-dynamic-automatic-chronograph-1998.14215/ with a bracelet, listed for $2,850.
well thanks to all...i agree....didn't find anything and not worth the effort dealing with crowds, etc....since i'm new to the game, wanted to ask you all where you look for watches. Obviously e-bay, but what about in person? I go to some local pawn shops, estate sales. Any tips would be much appreciated. I'm located here in Raleigh, N.C.