I will be in Italy for a few weeks next month. I've been there many times and I look forward to returning. We will be flying into Milan and traveling in the area of Lake Garda, Lake Como, Lecco, Iseo, and Milan itself.

I wonder if there are any good watch stores where I can see a broad selection of new and pre-owned watches. Does anyone have any experience in this area?

 

Bernadini Milano is one of the best vintage watch stores in the world! That's a must visit from everything o have heard. Here's a link to a video with the owner:
http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/the-road-to-basel-episode-6-drinking-negronis-with-max-bernardini

 

Yes! with plenty of these!

 

Sassella Milano and Vintage Watches Milano are also good shops to check out.

 

Good time to buy over there at the moment

 

Love the BIG Italians Reds Barolo, Amarone and Ripasso

 

Why's that?

Edit: to clarify, there wasn't a discernable dip in vintage watch prices in Italy even in 2008

 

I appreciate all the comments and suggestions. Keep them coming. Comments on wine varietals also appreciated!! And yes, the euro is now trading at about 112 to the dollar compared to the more historic 140. It's a good time to buy!

 

Ah I misunderstood. I thought the comment was related to the recent talks of the debt crisis. Yes, the exchange rate has been good for most of this year. Bought a few when it dipped to 1.06 in March, but it's never really a good time to buy watches in Italy, Milan most of all, at least financially speaking.

 

In contrast, we, Europeans, cannot enter in US auctions and forum deals as we usually did...

I remember a couple of vintage stores in Rome, near Piazza Spagna. One of them with the widest selection of Rolex Explorer McQueen I have ever seen.

 

I think that in August the greater number of the stores are closed

 

You need to take a day trip to Greece, plenty of bargains there at present if you've got a suitcase full of euro's

 

That is not completely true, i am afraid...

In Greece we do have very good prices because ADs are willing to offer discount at all times.

It is normal to get 20% off for a Rolex, 25% for an Omega and maybe even 10% for a base Panerai.

Actually I have a very good friend who managed to get 20% off for a SS Daytona Black dial.
And i am talking about ADs, not grey Ds

BUT in most cases the discount is offered only to Greeks...

 

LOL. Just remind the Italians that ROLEX and OMEGA are Greek words, they like that.

 

As someone already mentioned almost everything closes during the month of August in Italy. I've also noticed that prices in Italy tend to be very high. There could be bargains out there but I've never found any.