Show Report: IWJG and the Miami Beach Antique Show
Is a big show like this still worth going to in today’s market?
The Miami Beach antique show is one of the biggest “trunk-style” shows in Miami for both dealers and the public to participate in, with all types of antiquities such as watches, jewelry, leather goods (trunks and bags), furniture, art, and other miscellaneous (really cool!) items.
Being my first time, I didn't know what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised not only to find out that there were deals to be had in vintage watches (if you hassle and nag enough), but a lot of people I see back home. Of course, it's nice to see all the local watch guys in NYC in Miami as well.
A lot of the time, watch dealers in the industry go to shows such as this or IWJG, not necessarily to conduct business, but rather socialize, catch up etc. Many dealers don’t come to IWJG as much anymore, especially after Covid because a lot of business can be conducted over the phone whether domestic or international, specifically Whatsapp and the private group chats. It’s not worth the time and money to schlep to Miami or Las Vegas, especially with today’s unprecedented watch market.
It was nice to see categories such as jewelry or art that I’m not regularly exposed to see. A few highlights of the show included stopping by the booths of Eric Wind and Menta Watches — Wind’s inventory never fails to impress. One of the coolest pieces, I think, that Eric had in his showcase was an Oyster Perpetual reference 15000 with “Honda” on the dial. At an asking price of $25,000, that’s a bigger flex than sporting a contemporary Tiffany Oyster Perpetual. How many OPs are there in the world with a Honda signature?
Dealers at both the Antique and IWJG show were charging market prices or retail for all the models everyone and their mother wants. What’s the point of going to these trade shows as a dealer when many sellers are trying to get greedy by asking retail, sometimes even higher than its current market value because they are trying to sell at “tomorrow's” price?
Their rationale is to charge high as people will have no other choice, but you can only stretch out pricing for so much until everyone in the room collectively agrees that it's silly. Speaking with dealer after dealer, the complaints were similar: everything was too expensive and they could have gotten the same product for the same price or cheaper back home.
I experienced a similar issue personally as I had a tougher time than usual buying as well. And I do vintage! (You might be surprised that I pay the same prices on vintage Datejusts as a retail customer… but that's the market today!) The little watches that everyone ignores or neglects at the show.
There aren't many pickers that deal with the same watches as DVW consistently, so you would think I would have an easier time compared to the modern watch guys. But everyone dealt with similar issues, whether the watches were too expensive, or there wasn’t enough product for certain buyers,and many thought it wasn’t worth it to show up at all.
There are talks about people exhibiting and buying less at IWJG, but there is still so much old-school charm about it. From laying out millions in merchandise like fruit in a bazaar, to the duffle bags of cash being carried around, it's still fun to experience. Can I source watches back home in a faster and cheaper way? Yes, but is it as fun as attending these shows? Not at all.
Daniel Matatov is, of course, “Danny” of Danny’s Vintage Watches. If you have a pitch for us, reach out through our Contact form or send it to @iamjoshcameron on Instagram.
