Where do you buy watches?

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Wizzar

·Jan 1, 2025

Hi,

I’m wondering where do you buy your watches, what are the possibilities in your country/region, do you ship watches from far away using some websites to buy them or live trading like local markets or bigger watch events? I know there might be some reasons to not to share your knowledge but I feel it’s not wrong to ask 😉
Thanks and I’m waiting for your opinions!

 

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DaveK

·Jan 1, 2025·Yoda of Yodelers

Here in Vancouver, there’s a guy that sells lots of vintage stuff by the flea market

 

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Duracuir1

·Jan 1, 2025·Never Used A Kodak

Canadian Watch Collector’s Forum.

The Jardur… read about it on « Bring A Loupe » back in 2020. Scooped it up.

Local auction (flightmaster)

Traded for a strap that I made.

DuMouchelles (Detroit)

Gruen traded for a strap. Seamaster at local auction.

Local auction.

Speedy (see above). Titanium Tissot. Mugged someone.

Tissot was not a mugging, but did feel like theft, until I learned it needed work. Thanks Archer.

I sold the Swiss Military for $80!

 

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sheepdoll

·Jan 1, 2025

Buy watches??? I breed watches. The problem is that the fertilizer to grow the food to feed them is quite expensive.

 

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Dan S

·Jan 1, 2025

The obvious places, all the places you mentioned and more. I don't have any secret sources, it just takes work.

 

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wagudc

·Jan 1, 2025

I'm in the USA.

Ebay (coming from as far as Vietnam or Pakistan)
Yahoo Auctions Japan via a buying service: https://www.fromjapan.co.jp/en
The Omega Forums Private Sales Subforum (only bought from a US based member, but have sold to UK and Austrailia)
A few cheapies from Antique / Junk Stores, and pawn shops

 

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Larry S

·Jan 1, 2025·Color Commentator for the Hyperbole.

Not really adding to my collection these days but my sources in the past:
Omega Forums
Watch Brokers with solid reputations and access.
Bricks and Mortar
Direct from the maker.
I don’t trust EBay or auctions in general.

During peak collecting years I had a busy job and hectic global travel schedule so I didn’t really have the bandwidth to take a lot of risks. Not saying this is the best strategy but I mostly did OK.

 

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wagudc

·Jan 1, 2025

Larry S

I don’t trust EBay or auctions in general.

I understand this perspective. All my Ebay / online auction purchases have been under $1000 USD. If I were spending serious money I would be more cautious.

 

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Canuck

·Jan 1, 2025

Garage sales (once in a while fruitful), estate sales (likewise), but only ever bought from a dealer once. Most of my stuff I halve acquired privately, from people who wanted to unload a watch. The very odd one from auctions. Some from NAWCC Marts. Never from on line auctions, or similar sites (Facebook Market Place as an example). Connected as I am in the local world of watches, a surprising number of my watches have been given to me!

 

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Giarc66

·Jan 1, 2025

My Omega Boutique. Prices elsewhere can be tempting at times, but nothing beats the retail experience, calls when new releases come in, and in the rare instance, a repair issue. Can't beat my OB!

 

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zkramez

·Jan 2, 2025

I personally use Marketplace and chronograph 24. Those are the best options to score a good deal at least for me.