Where do you buy watches?

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

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