Finding Time

As collectors, we find things at flea markets, from other enthusiasts, specialists, markets, antique and collectible shows, basements (and attics), auctions and retailers. 

I had always thought flea markets would be the venue I'd find a grail or expensive watch at a ridiculously low price. My friends luck at flea markets (he finds genuine Rolex, Omega and others consistently) has always inspired me to scour through flea markets; alas nothing yet. But then again, my friend lives in a city of 7.5 million people and the population around me is only 350,000.

For me, its been a couple of reputable online auction houses (not eBay and certainly not the auction house recently trying to pawn off some far from genuine Seiko watches) and a local auction house where I've had some luck over the years. 

The annual time pieces auction at my local auction house this summer featured a Jaeger LeCoultre chronograph but it was the multiple lots of Seiko (and others) that interested me. Truth be told, I wouldn't have come close to the $10,000 (Canadian) reserve on the LeCoultre so the estimates on the Seiko lots were more my speed.

 

A couple of "nuggets" in this mixed lot
 

Like most auctions with multiple pieces offered up as a single lot, they're often a mixed bag. Despite this, there were a few gems in several of the lots. And as you may have read from a previous post on my Seiko obsession, there were plenty to bid hard on and I felt great about the ones I came away with.

 

A mixed lot at Lunds

 

These came with their original boxes
 

The Seiko World Time watch in the middle was the "prize" in this lot
 

One of two Wittnauer perpetual calendar watches in one of the lots


Gold Longines from a mixed lot


While a number of the Seiko watch lots got away, there will always be another opportunity. After-all, part of the fun is the hunt.

BTW, the highest bid on the LeCoultre was $6,200;  it was a nice watch though.