Any good secondary / grey dealers in the SF Bay Area?

[Golden Palomino]

^


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[bullies]

https://www.fogcityvintage.com/

https://tropicalwatch.com/

https://hqmilton.com

[Chewbacca]

From the sounds of it local pawns should have more new Rolexeses for sale than ADs

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by bullies

https://www.fogcityvintage.com/

https://tropicalwatch.com/

https://hqmilton.com

These are not grey market dealers.

These specialize in vintage but have a few modern classics. Very few new/unworn.

[SDR581]

I heard Timepiece Gentleman on the West coast is pretty reputable :-P NOT!

[KatGirl]

If you know what you want, use the trusted sellers here.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by WatchGuy1966

These are not grey market dealers.

These specialize in vintage but have a few modern classics. Very few new/unworn.

So they don't sell used watches?

[jfmiii]

Originally Posted by bullies

https://www.fogcityvintage.com/

https://tropicalwatch.com/

https://hqmilton.com

Both Jacek (TW) and Tim (FG) are very good. Have had dealings with both and highly recommend. While they both deal mostly in vintage, they can get whatever you want.

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by whiskyrolex

So they don't sell used watches?

Of course they sell used watches.

What kind of question is that?

The OP asked about Grey Market. Grey Market is not "used" watches per se.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by whiskyrolex

So they don't sell used watches?

That is all they sell.

The Secondary (used) market is not the Grey Market, totally different.

[JParm]

If you're looking for a DavidSW / SD Watches equivalent here in Northern California, I don't think you'll find one.

The names mentioned above are great at what they do but as mentioned, they specialize in vintage. Fourtane down here in Monterey is a great AD with vintage pieces, and they will be standing up a CPO section soon.

[askdanny]

Originally Posted by bullies

https://www.fogcityvintage.com/

https://tropicalwatch.com/

https://hqmilton.com

I thought Jacek/Tropical Watch moved to San Diego?

[Onequik135i]

You can also try Recaro18 here on TRF. He’s located in CA too, great guy to work with.

[Golden Palomino]

Originally Posted by bullies

https://www.fogcityvintage.com/

https://tropicalwatch.com/

https://hqmilton.com

These shops look great, lots of cool pieces, but i don’t see a physical location on their websites? I haven’t contacted them yet but but I was hoping to find a local place I could see watches in real life


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Golden Palomino]

Originally Posted by KatGirl

If you know what you want, use the trusted sellers here.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I’ve had good luck with this route, just hoping perhaps there was a local place with a real physical showroom


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Golden Palomino]

Originally Posted by Tools

That is all they sell.

The Secondary (used) market is not the Grey Market, totally different.

I guess I was using the terms interchangeably….. perhaps the good folks of trf could help me understand the difference?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Golden Palomino]

Originally Posted by JParm

If you're looking for a DavidSW / SD Watches equivalent here in Northern California, I don't think you'll find one.

The names mentioned above are great at what they do but as mentioned, they specialize in vintage. Fourtane down here in Monterey is a great AD with vintage pieces, and they will be standing up a CPO section soon.

I do very much enjoy checking out Fourtane thanks! I actually live a lot closer to them, in the other (Monterey) Bay Area. But it’s a small community, I was hopeful there might be more options near my office in the southbay. But seems perhaps I am outta luck


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by Golden Palomino

I’ve had good luck with this route, just hoping perhaps there was a local place with a real physical showroom


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Go to an AD and pick up a brand new 2023/2024 hardcover catalogue.
That, and using the trusted grey dealers here, is a good alternative. Also, visit some ADs that have a lot of exhibition pieces. You know how rough it is, in Rolex world, right now.

Kat


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[WatchGuy1966]

Originally Posted by Golden Palomino

These shops look great, lots of cool pieces, but i don’t see a physical location on their websites? I haven’t contacted them yet but but I was hoping to find a local place I could see watches in real life


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Fog City's Tim will arrange a place to meet you

HQ Milton has a non-descript no-sign place in a dingy part of town above a Pawn shop.

You'll need to make appointments for both.

I'm lukewarm on HQMilton as it seems half the time, they don't respond. I've bought from them and even brought in a friend who bought from them. Others will vehemently disagree with me and place them on God Tier.

You can also check out Jesse Webster's Oyster Palace.

All three are trusted sellers here as well.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Golden Palomino

I guess I was using the terms interchangeably….. perhaps the good folks of trf could help me understand the difference?

It is baffling because it seems to be used interchangeably on Forums, even though the Grey Market is a known economic standard.

Grey Market goods are always new, but are generally imported, bypassing the authorized distribution channels set up by a manufacturer/authorized distributor.

Flippers and resellers who buy from an AD or AD customer, are not Grey Dealers.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_market

[Guppydriver]

I see the seller name DESIROLEX quite a bit when I search watchrecon. The location is "SF Bay Area" and all the watches are listed here on TRF.

I've never used them and they may not be a trusted TRF seller, but the prices are competitive and they appear to have good feedback.

[Recaro18]

Originally Posted by Onequik135i

You can also try Recaro18 here on TRF. He’s located in CA too, great guy to work with.

That’s me! I can help you source what you want…

www.CrownInOysterCase.com

[Golden Palomino]

Kind thanks y’all, very helpful and informative!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk