What's the best regional for pocket watch collectors? (and why?)

[Jon Hanson]

Bob,

For many years I attended many and obscure (small) marts around the country. When the goods began disappearing 8-10 yrs. ago, the larger marts still continued to be a decent source for pocket watches, attracting the *most goods* at a particular venue. Slowly, this has dwindled down to the following (provided one can travel) *best* PW marts: the national convention, Orlando, Dearborn, Drawbridge (Ky.), etc. (Chicago, the midwest regional, used to be a great show until they moved it to Milwaukee)

The above have usually been the best shows because most of the major players have attended them as well as PRESHOW benefits, BUT several things have happened: shortage of goods, fleabay, 911 UnitedAmerica, high cost of travel, and lack of sales. Many are now rethinking attending so many shows. In my opinion fleabay has had a HUGE effect on shows the last two years. Philly and N.O., especially, were the worst two nationals as far as buying goes in 25-30 years. Many of the major players are now doing other things (fleabay and auctions) and care not to waste time at shows.

Lastly, you might read Howard Gunderson's (chapter 149) experience flying to a show last week. Personally, I stopped carrying "show and tell" goods to our 149 convention meetings several years ago due to security and "other reasons." Now with new hastles I definitely will not drag stuff to shows ever again. Flying into a show with goods to sell *may* become a thing of the past. Even if one attends just to buy, it will be a hastle to get your purchases home. So the answer (in my opinion) will be more local participation and travel by car to shows. Consider attending local or regionals marts by car.

AND, remember you might rather spend your money and gain *more* watches by NOT traveling long distances than on air fares, hotel costs and time off from work!

Jon H.

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Jon Hanson, moderator

[BUZZ BAZARNICKI]

It kinda depends where ya live....Ya didn't say.....and since you're not registered....We can't tell by your log-on info... http://www.nawcc.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif

If ya live on the grand ol' West Coast...I'd say the L.A. Regional for starters....There's a show comin' up in Nov. 16-18th in the Bay Area which might have some goodies availiable and I may even make an appearance at......Judgin' by your post,you're mainly in the 16s RR grade type market ($150-$400 range for a ball-park figure.)...From my experience,there are usually more watches than money for most of ya collectors out there at almost any of these marts....Too many timepieces..and too little time...and $$$$....Just enjoy!!! :biggrin:

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BUZZ BAZARNICKI
ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGIST
HAMILTON SPECIALIST
MEMBER #120851 NAWCC
PAST V.P.CHAPTER # 52

[John Cote]

You know I have a certain bias in this matter, but my favorite show in the Mid-West, and probably in the country is Drawbridge, or the Southren Ohio Regional. As Jon stated, the show is actually a few miles South of Southern Ohio in Northern KY. I think this show has been better than many of the Nationals in recent years. It is a big, well run show. There is a lot of merchandise, and the people who put it on are pretty flexible, within the limits of the size of event they are dealing with. The accomodations are inexpensive, the local area has some good resturants and it is easily accessable by car or by air. Best of all, most (not all) of the pocket watch folks I want to see go there.

I guess I would say though that I have never been completely dissapointed with any regional. I like to go look at and hold pocket watches in my hands. I will go almost anywhere to do this. I once even travled to the suburbs of Boston!!! Who'd have thought there would be watches there!



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JohnCote
President, Indiana Chapter 18 - NAWCC

http://www.interstatetime.com

[Jon Hanson]

Yeah, but if you think the FT. Mitchell mart is good now, you should have been there 15 and more years ago when there was really great snagging to do.

It is a cozy show with lots of action, including the parking lot sale where a Fantantic all original early NYWCo peice, the finest known, was snagged by one of the BIG DEALERS some years ago.

There is one drawback at the drawbridge, though, it usually falls around tax and filing time; also, sometimes it is difficult to get a direct flight into that particular airport.

Jon Hanson, nawcc#8801

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Jon Hanson, moderator

[HOWARD GUNDERSON]

Chicago was always the best show. We used to have the National in June and Chicago in July and the Chicago show was always better for pocket watches. Now we have the National in July which kills the midwest regional, as if putting it in Milwauke wasn't enough.Chicago is easy to fly to. Drawbridge is impossible from the west coast, unless you like 30 passenger prop jets out of Chicago.

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[John Cote]

Howard,

I used to think Chicago was great too. Also, as far as flights to Cincinnati from the West Coast, try Delta from any major airport to Atlanta with a connection to Cincy. Should be all jet.

[Jon Hanson]

Who in the heck wants to make connections, plus fly all the way to Atlanta from LA, then back to Cinci? Plus, there is a time change. That is absurd!

Besides, Howard has AA connections and I HAD AA miles. :biggrin:

Jon

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Jon Hanson, moderator

[Jon Hanson]

Add, Chicago.

Howard,

One thing that was great was that the show was right at the airport-super convenient. When things were boring in July in Ca. and after the let down from the JUNE national (hint, hint nat assers) Chicago was great with always fabulous deals, the old "boys", and lots of "laughing and scratching"; plus, there was always the Rockford TM and that little neat private museum, now closed that were close by. The nawcc screwed it all up!

Jon

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Jon Hanson, moderator

[Jerry Freedman]

I think it is time to stop all the bitching moaning about the regionals. Nothing stays the same. I guarantee you that 15 years ago someone was yearning for regionals to be what they were 15 years before that. A regional is as good as we members want it to be. Lets get off our collective asses and make them sucessful. Stop telling eveyone who participates what to do and join in the doing yourself.

[Jon Hanson]

Incredible!

Bob asked some questions and those that participate are answering them.

Hmm......

BTW, JF, how many times have you attended Chi., Cin., Dearborn?

[This message has been edited by Jon Hanson (edited 10-26-2001).]

[rrstd]

I admit that cost to attend, availability of flights and distance from the airport are all important factors to consider. Having said this, the main reason I attend any regional is to find more "stuff" to add to my collection. With this in mind, my favorite regionals are as follows:

1. Orlando - In addition to being one of (if not the) largest shows of the year, I have never came home from this show without buying more than I should have (my wife's opinion). In addition, Orlando's weather in February beats the H--- out of Nebraska.

2. Ft. Mitchell - Although the availability of good items at all the shows is down from the past, this is still one of the best venues for finding better pockets (especially railroads). Dont miss the parking lot, its the place to take away the best finds.

3. Dearborn - This has historically been one of the better shows for pockets. I was unable to attend this year, but have had good luck here in the past.

Some of the smaller shows can also be very fun. Although there are less items at some of these show, the competition is also reduced. Ft. Wayne would rank at the top of my list of these smaller to medium size shows.

Rhett



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[ron schneider]

if the economy and poliferation of pockets continue to be thrown onto the market yes things will not remain the same and maybe we can begin to again do some heavy buying

doc ron

[HOWARD GUNDERSON]

Fort Wayne is a great show if you like friendly people, but difficult to fly to.
There are always a lot of railroad watches and the show is over in a few hours. But then try to have some fun... or in Chattanoga...
I support regionals all over the place, clock shows in the east, North Texas where people bring pot luck lunches,the Great Northwest where the scenery is better than the few watches, Midwest where the same people and the same unsold watches are at every show. I will continue to go lots of Regionals but I am seeing fewer buyers and I feel very strongly that the NAWCC must adapt to the times with a EMART or it will cease to function in our time.

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[cmedsker]

I would have to say, that in my limited experience, strictly for buying, The Nationals are best. For Regionals, Orlando rates #1, followed by Ft. Mitchell, and St. Louis, and of course, Ft. Wayne. I never had much luck west of St. Louis, but I think this was because the Regionals were smaller. I?ve not had the pleasure of attending any Regionals on the west coast, so can?t speak of any experience with those. I always thought that Orlando was pretty good because people wanted to escape the snow for a few days, and dealers brought some better pocketwatches. Ft. Mitchell in April was the 1st good Regional of the spring, and there are many RR watch collectors in the Ohio-Indiana-Kentucky-Tennessee area.
Well guys, I can remember attending my 1st Ft. Wayne Regional about 1977. At the time, this was held at the Holiday Inn on the northwest side. I distinctly remember Tom Engle?s tables, with a showcase full of high grade RR pockets, another full of PW?s with low serial numbers, the next case would have M-C gold?s, the next with repeater?s, etc. And here I was with $250.00 in my pocket! Oh well, so much for the good old days! We can look back, but we can?t change the way things progress. I must agree, since the advent of internet auctions, things have changed very rapidly, and I?m not sure for the best. I do think an improved eMart would help. Perhaps our own eMart auction? Probably more work than anyone wants to tackle, but one might generate some revenue for NAWCC?

[BUZZ BAZARNICKI]

Well said Jerry.......See ya in San Jose!!....(Contingent upon Lexie's work schedule,of course...Gotta keep the the little woman workin'......It keeps her outta trouble,out from under foot,and helps maintain my sanity while I enjoy the retired life!!!! :biggrin:)

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BUZZ BAZARNICKI
ANTIQUARIAN HOROLOGIST
HAMILTON SPECIALIST
MEMBER #120851 NAWCC
PAST V.P.CHAPTER # 52