When living in the deep tropics we would often post report updates on MWR of what stuff we found and/or bought. Now that we relocated back to Connecticut I figure some might get a kick out of similar reports from time to time here on this site as well. I will simply limit these (hopefully) entertaining reports to this one thread and post them as I find 'em. Some of the watches we bought and others are just pics snapped of stuff we came across in our travels. I figure it might be a refreshing change to see watches that are only spotted for sale via boots on the ground rather than pictures of watches offered on the net. Anyways feel free to discuss any of them we post and critique all ya want. This is just for fun.

Ok first up is this old Longines at a local shop. At least it's more interesting than the usual used Movado Museums, Michael Kors and Invictas in most second hand display cases

 

Next up is this vintage Zenith at another small shop.

 

The Zenith is interesting. I hope you didn't buy the Sei...

 

And this vintage GP automatic. So far I didn't buy any of the watches posted as the proprietors want a tad too much to my likings but that may change depending on how long they might sit in the cases. However it's nice to actually spot a few interesting pieces when driving around in the afternoons.

 

Nope I didn't.

 

I went on a mission today also an area near you. Still working on the deal but here is part of the guys driveway which is almost a .25 mile long

 

Best hold your cards closer to your chest. I'm gonna be driving around all night looking for long driveways

 

I’ll narrow it down the town has a D in the name

 

Thank you for providing an insight into "local" small shop foraging. Question: once you determine the providence and quality of a watch from the exterior, how do you determine if the guts are appropriate? Do you often ask to open up a watch, do you base it on your experience with the seller or do you just take a chance based on the price? Thanks again.

 

West Haven?

 

Damn you figured that out quick my hint was to precise

 

I was going to say Cheshire.

 

Good question. I'm a cowboy so usually I take a shot without opening them up so yes I just take a chance based on the price. However as our fellow member Walrus knows that can bite me in the ass depending on the seller. I bought a few doozies from our Pakistani pal that are so screwed up they can't even show the right time at least twice a day

 

I don’t think the word “service” is in our friend from Pakistan’s vocabulary

 

This looks like a light weekend for you Fred- usually you got a tote bag full of the stuff.

 

Yea slim pickins the past few days. I'll post next on what I managed to buy but there's nothing super exciting.

 

Please keep this thread going. It is a great feeling to find something nice amongst the dross at antique shops, pawn shops and fairs - especially if the price is too good to pass up.

My wife is an incorrigible bargain hunter: she can spend a full day at a collectables fair - even longer if it is the Brimfield Fair ( I had to drag her away from that after two and a half days). I love a good purchase too, but her stamina outlasts mine.....

 

Oh man I did hit that fair a few times and I know what you mean. The place is so huge it takes half a day to just walk it let alone horse trade with the vendors.

 

Asking price?

 

Longines is redialed IMO. The others are interesting. The photos are a little blurry obviously, but from what I can see, I particularly like the condition of the Zenith, with the interesting lugs and dial font. Hopefully it's not too tiny.