Emil Wojcik
1651
Before the pandemic I spent at least a week of every month for over 25 years going to local auctions. Not specifically watch auctions, but there were usually a few watch’s in most sales.
Mar 20, 2024,17:19 PM
Then in 2004, after I retired, my wife and I spent even more time at auctions. She eventually accepted a job with one of them run by a friend of ours managing their jewelry sales. Since I was unofficially involved with the auction, and a friend of the owner, I was given free reign to examine anything that was consigned for sale in exchange for authenticating watches, antiquities, porcelain, ancient coins, Japanese katana, and a few other things.
It was a big advantage to be able to spend the time closely examining watches, opening them up to check their condition, making sure the movement was correct and without damage, and given an unlimited amount of time to do so.
The auction is now exclusively online, twice a month. My wife still works there but from home. I still do authentications. Not as fun as it was in person but I still have access to some nice pieces.
Basically what I’m saying is, if you spend enough time looking through auctions, estate sales, flea markets, and even coin shows, you’ll eventually come across just about anything you can imagine…even some great watches.