Hi OF friends, i'm heading to Amsterdam in early Nov and have couple of days to explore.

Would any kind soul recommend places to hunt for vintage watches? i know of Amsterdam Vintage Watches and Amsterdam Vintage Company. Are there anywhere else? Tried searching around to no avail.

Any other recommendations on food / sightseeing would be appreciated too!

Thanks everyone!

 

Can’t help you with watches, but check out the museums, and some of the local colour. And check,out the “Floating Gardens”, which incidentally no longer float!

View attachment 641399

 

No there's nowhere else really worth mentioning in Amsterdam.

You can try De Spiegelgracht, there's a jeweller or two there who often have stock. Spiegelgracht Jewellier is one of them. Although IMHO never any bargains, or even good deals to be found.

 

thanks both @cristos71 and @Canuck ! seems like i'll be spending time exploring museums instead

 

Was there a few years ago...Heineken tour, Ann Franks house, Red Light District.......

 

Thanks @1972Steve ! Yes heineken tour is well in the must-dos!

 

Hi @Renton,

Whist I agree the museums are worthwhile (particularly Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh), there certainly are a few watch shops that are imho nice to visit.

It’s been discussed before. Have a look here; https://omegaforums.net/threads/vacation-hunting-grounds-european-edition.82723/#post-1062465

Enjoy Amsterdam!

 

Amsterdam is just amazing.

I can recommend you go to this restaurant — both for the food and to see the lovely GMT on the wrist of an older, very charming and distinguished waiter there.

Restaurant Palladio
Elandsgracht 64, 1016 TX Amsterdam, Netherlands
+31 20 627 7442
https://goo.gl/maps/DrmkJu9wEeE2

He noted mine and introduced me to a local dealer who I met with in 2017. He had a shop at the time but was closing up to sell purely online. He was so friendly, he showed me a lot of interesting pieces.

Both guys were extremely friendly and I’m sorry I don’t have the contact info of the other gentleman in front of me.

I hit the other vintage dealers there (there are I think two with storefronts) but didn’t see any deals. Did not expect to. But maybe follow that lead. The worst that can happen is that you’ll have a lovely lunch or dinner.

 

There are a few worthwhile tips in this one: https://omegaforums.net/threads/vacation-hunting-grounds-european-edition.82723/

 

Such a coincidence, I was speaking to and bought a watch from these two only a couple of weeks ago!

 

Oh wow. So what is the dealer’s name? Something oddly American. If I remember correctly his name sounded closer to a character from The Outsiders than a Dutchman. (Johnny, Eddy...?)

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

Not the dealer, the two Italian guys from the restaurant. They were selling at a watch fair I attended.

 

I often take the 'burger and beer' boat tours. It's cheap, simple and I don't feel too silly being alone. It's like sitting in a cheap restaurant but while sitting and eating a simple meal you get to see the city from the water.

(I've always loved boating, my favorite thing in Paris is always a nice dinner cruise on the Seine)

 

You can visit De Reiger. It's in one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Amsterdam (de jordaan) and you can eat a nice meal over there. I'live lived there for 12 years around the corner. No reservations but you can sit at the bar and drink nice dutch and belgium beers.

 

As Amsterdam native i'm happy to give you some tips to enjoy yourself (shouldn't be difficult), but i'm afraid vintage watch-wise there is not that much to dig for a great deal. The shops are friendly (A'dam Vintage Watches, A'dam Watch Company) but never seem to fail to price any watch "ambitiously".
Very very occasionally you may find something at the stalls of the Antiek Centrum Amsterdam (Elandsgracht 11), which is a short stroll from the Leidseplein. Incidently HP Horlogerie (which i will refrain from any comments...) is around the corner there.
Have Fun!

 

wow, very interesting. many thanks for the recommendation! the reviews for the restaurant itself seem pretty decent. will definitely check it out. hope luck's on my side and i'll get to meet the waiter you mentioned!

 

and many thanks to @timestamp @Wombat123 @Shabbaz @gostang9 ! just filled up my itinerary with some of your recommendations!

 

What's with the Amstel Bier signs being upside down? Something one would expect in Australia.
Spiegelgracht Jewelers as mentioned before but do not expect bargains or anything to much out of the ordinary. And more vintage and antique dealers (not watches) in the area.
The Museum Plein with several well known musea (the old plural, now museums). But I must ad that any museum I visit I find interesting.
The Red Light District if you don't mind crowds.
And plenty of pubs.