Are watch shows common?

[Kingfish01]

By “show”, I mean convention or the like. My area, MD, has plenty of coin shows, card shows, car shows, etc. but I don’t ever recall seeing a wristwatch show and a google search hasn’t found anything. Are they common?

[JayHantz]

Baselworld.

[Abdullah71601]

Outside of dealer events, I'd say very rare.

[agsstructures]

NYC has a ton of events at the boutiques. Was at an AP event in Long Island City last week. Hodinkee throws some good ones at last once a month!

[cvera]

Never seen any or heard of them besides baselworld. I'd go if I ever had the chance tho.

[MinMay]

There are a few once a year in Bay Area, CA. SF had one last month...mostly new watch company and accessories. Came back from Las Vegas watch convention not too long ago... Usually big cities have them....I think Baltimore is coming up soon, New York, Miami

[Kingfish01]

Originally Posted by MinMay

There are a few once a year in Bay Area, CA. SF had one last month...mostly new watch company and accessories. Came back from Las Vegas watch convention not too long ago... Usually big cities have them....I think Baltimore is coming up soon, New York, Miami

Do you know the names of the shows?

[Fleetlord]

Originally Posted by Kingfish01

By “show”, I mean convention or the like. My area, MD, has plenty of coin shows, card shows, car shows, etc. but I don’t ever recall seeing a wristwatch show and a google search hasn’t found anything. Are they common?

There are watch and jewelry "shows" in the spirit of what you are referring to above...ie coin shows, sports cards...etc.


https://wwtshows.com/

http://www.iwjg.com/calendar.shtml

The difference is that these are geared more towards dealers and those in the trade than the general public. You have be a paid member to attend.

These are "no nonsense" events. Do not expect anything like an AD experience by any stretch.

They are not for novices or casual browsing. You must know what you are looking for and what you are looking "at"...no time for 20 questions.

Many deals are struck behind the scenes at the show and the dealers have credit lines with each other so to speak, so it's not easy for an "outsider" to really get involved.

There are vintage watch shows that ARE open to the public with a general admission charge, but expect the same atmosphere as above, except the prices will be much higher. Some dealers are accommodating to the average collector, but many are not and will not be amicable.

For example a dealer could have 3 Speedmasters in his case. One is $4k. One is $9K . One is $15k. Prices aren't marked. You really "need" to know what reference Speedy you are looking at in the case before you ask to see it...the dealer won't have the time or the patience to get in to why this one is $4k and that one is $15k...etc

It's the way it is. It's a tough business and unfortunately that is reflected in dealer demeanor.

[Masteryacht]

There are a lot of watches at NAWCC events.