Do you have antique/thrift shop markets? And have you been to one?
Since I live in the land famous for three geometrical shapes, buying new watches which aren't casios or base line orients is nigh impossible. Usually people who are into watches and don't have a lot of cash resort to thrift/vintage/antique shops for watches. You can find cool looking watches usually dating 1940 ~ 1990s for dirt cheap (3~25$). Most of them are in need of basic maintenance and some have more detromental issues which are highlighted by the sellers. Almost all of my collection except for two watches are comprised of these time pieces which needed some love that I gladly had too much of. This got me wondering do y'all have similar markets? And would you consider buying from them?
This market is called "سوق الأنتيكات/ السبت" simply the Antique/saturday market held at cinema diana palace each saturday in downtown cairo.
Just a chemistry student who likes watches :)
And if someones wondering about spelling or exact words
"سبت"="sabt" : saturday
"ألأنتيكات" = " 'Al'antikat " : Antiques
"سوق" = "souq" : Marketplace/market
And its read from right to left
I live in the land where Car Boot Sales were once a religion to many people and replaced going to church on Sundays. Unfortunately eBay and covid has put an end to a lot of them now, but occasionally one pops up and very occasionally they have watches too. I've had more success selling watches at them than buying them though.
Damn, it sucks that you can't have that anymore in your town. Come to cairo I guess covid policies were never inforced here, though we don't have access to ebay or Craigslist. Amazon is usually filled with fake items that abuse the outside reviews. Hopefully the car boot sale returns one day and you'd get to have some nostalgia with a hint of fun
There is a vintage store not too far out of my way, that is halfway between antiques and flea market. It seems to be individual vendors renting space (and the actual sales support, so they don't have to be there all the time) and a few sell/specialize in watches.
I have not bought any. They tend to have about three flavors. The first is some ephemeral kitsch or pop culture stuff. This is smart, as it appeals beyond horology, and probably in spite of it (as I'd give the chance of any of this stuff working long term the lowest odds).
The mid-market is run-of-the-mill "grandpa's watches" that are half a century old or so, of varying levels of dated styling, and usually showing decades of wear. These are often interesting, often of dead brands, and (I imagine) a total minefield for the casual buyer.
And then there is usually some <5% "good (Swiss) watches" in decent condition at prices showing that the seller did a little homework.
Were the seller there, I'd stand a better chance of "buying the seller" because there is a spectrum between avid watchmaker that fully inspects and services and guarantees everything and some junk collector that unloads whatever as-is. The absence of this kind of indicator is likely why I've remained timid.
There is a vintage store not too far out of my way, that is halfway between antiques and flea market. It seems to be individual vendors renting space (and the actual sales support, so they don't have to be there all the time) and a few sell/specialize in watches.
I have not bought any. They tend to have about three flavors. The first is some ephemeral kitsch or pop culture stuff. This is smart, as it appeals beyond horology, and probably in spite of it (as I'd give the chance of any of this stuff working long term the lowest odds).
The mid-market is run-of-the-mill "grandpa's watches" that are half a century old or so, of varying levels of dated styling, and usually showing decades of wear. These are often interesting, often of dead brands, and (I imagine) a total minefield for the casual buyer.
And then there is usually some <5% "good (Swiss) watches" in decent condition at prices showing that the seller did a little homework.
Were the seller there, I'd stand a better chance of "buying the seller" because there is a spectrum between avid watchmaker that fully inspects and services and guarantees everything and some junk collector that unloads whatever as-is. The absence of this kind of indicator is likely why I've remained timid.
I'm the guy who jumps in those garbage collections looking for gold. Usually you'd find as stated very dated or crappy pieces, but there's always a diamond in the rough. As for dead brands or minefield watches I think here in egypt we have the advantage of piss cheap labour costs that assist in that regard. For example I bought a watch from a dead brand called octo that shut down in 1950~60s. I was able to get it replated (its brass silver plated case), fixed up along with buying a new mesh strap for it. All for roughly 14$.
I think with that last story you are truly a great contribution to the horological welfare of your great country 🔺🔺🔺
The thrift store near me doesn't have great selections. It's either cheap fashion or clapped out and tired digitals. I need to venture out and check out real antique stores. But they are far. There are huge flea markets not too far away but the watches there are garbage knock offs and actual fakes. I have yet to be lucky and find a real gem of classic watch.
I was gifted three Rolexs. One President Day-Date, a Sub and a GMT Master. They were in rough shape. Then I did some research on then. They were all fakes. The Day-Date has a quartz movement. The GMT only has three. Not that one fell off or anything... It was born that way. And the Sub has a made in china movement.
I was told by gifted that a member of his family paid $5,000 for one of the three. He doesn't remember which.
So this is what you find at flea markets around me.
The thrift store near me doesn't have great selections. It's either cheap fashion or clapped out and tired digitals. I need to venture out and check out real antique stores. But they are far. There are huge flea markets not too far away but the watches there are garbage knock offs and actual fakes. I have yet to be lucky and find a real gem of classic watch.
I was gifted three Rolexs. One President Day-Date, a Sub and a GMT Master. They were in rough shape. Then I did some research on then. They were all fakes. The Day-Date has a quartz movement. The GMT only has three. Not that one fell off or anything... It was born that way. And the Sub has a made in china movement.
I was told by gifted that a member of his family paid $5,000 for one of the three. He doesn't remember which.
So this is what you find at flea markets around me.
My God, this is terrible......for 5k from where I live, you can almost get a pretty decent pre-owned DJ from 1990s or something equivalent.....terrible indeed
My God, this is terrible......for 5k from where I live, you can almost get a pretty decent pre-owned DJ from 1990s or something equivalent.....terrible indeed
I need to venture out farther and deeper.
I really need to start looking into it though. I'm at some point I will find something interesting.