Observations from a vintage watch show.

[Fleetlord]

I had heard there was a big vintage watch and jewelry show in Miami this weekend, so I decided to check it out.

I am a casual observer when it comes to vintage, so I just wanted to go and see what was what.

First off this is pretty big money show. There were some big names in vintage there and the inventory was absolutely ridiculous.

Some casual observations.

1) Rolex is king. Vintage Rolex dominated. There were a nice selection of vintage Patek as well, but Rolex is the king..

2) Daytona Daytona Daytona. They were all over the place. If you wanted a Daytona, this was the place to get one. Hard to believe they are scarce after seeing so many in one place, but it's relative I guess..

3) Subs and GMT's. They were all over the place too. But NOT any LV or Hulks that I could see. Mostly 5513, Reds...etc. All at sky high pricing.

4) Condition and Box/Papers of the pieces were very important, especially no polishing... But...the mechanical function of some of the pieces I looked at was a bit suspect. Dealers didn't really know service history or if the watch even really worked. They sure did look good though..

5) You really need to know what you are looking at and looking for at the show. The main dealer guys are busy networking and acquiring pieces from others..etc. There is definitely a clique to this vintage stuff. Which is fine. The staff they leave behind are certainly competent, but there really isn't much time or patience for the novice. It's not show and tell. These are serious watches for serious money. No time for nonsense is the prevailing attitude. Not snobby....just don't be a rookie.

Overall a good time and I would go again...

[springer]

Well, since you are ready to go again, get in the car and drive up to the World Wide Traders show in Lakeland, Florida, on Wednesday and Thursday - then on Friday there is the regional NAWCC show at the same location.

All info is available at the WWT web site - just give it a google.

The IWJG show in Miami starts on Monday so if you are there, maybe you might want to attend that show also.

Many of us will be in Lakeland and Miami.

[twnturbo]

Wow sounds like a fun week & wish there was a west coast version of this, or is there ? How about some pics

[BreezyMan]

Any shows in San Diego or Los Angeles Coming up!? I’m die
Hard vintage Rolex guy I need this in my life lol

[Tom1675]

Originally Posted by BreezyMan

Any shows in San Diego or Los Angeles Coming up!? I’m die
Hard vintage Rolex guy I need this in my life lol

x2 Are there any annual events in LA or somewhere nearby?

[Wiener48]

Thanks for the report to the thread opener, grazie

[theflywrist]

We would LOVE pictures guys!
Thanks for the report.
I've only ever been to the Parma watch fair. Though there was a LOT of inventory, in all honesty ALOT of it was average quality at best, and asking prices were still high.

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by theflywrist

We would LOVE pictures guys!
Thanks for the report.
I've only ever been to the Parma watch fair. Though there was a LOT of inventory, in all honesty ALOT of it was average quality at best, and asking prices were still high.

I didn't take pics....it just didn't seem like that kind of an event. Nobody else was taking pics.

Unless you were with the press, etc.

I would expect security would have frowned on it...idk...plus it was important to look like this wasn't your first rodeo kinda vibe...

[motoikkyu]

I think you might find the WWT and NAWCC Florida mid-winter shows a little "friendlier" in that folks are willing to talk about their watches. We all benefit from more information, after all. That's been my experience, but I must confess, it's been at least two years since I attended in Florida.

[uncleluck]

In reference to your ‘that were all over the place’ comment... It amazes me old Rolex are as expensive as they are really. You’d think there was a huge excess of them out there going by Instagram. A couple of the people I follow will post pics of tables full of them in their own collections. Then they meet up and it’s like a stock room at Rolex or something!