What time is it?
Not sure?
Then the chances are you need a watch!
Thankfully, in Sydney, you can buy a watch on pretty much every street corner. But if you are looking for something a bit more special, then you are going to have to get a vintage watch.
In general, ‘vintage’ watches are considered within the industry to be those which have reached an age of 25 years or more.
Traditionally they represented classic, timepieces that were lovingly made to last by highly skilled professionals with excellent craftsmanship and strong attention to detail.
Within the city, there are several stores where you can find these pocket-sized clocks. So whether you are after something classic, unique, elegant or refined there is a store for you to visit.
With that in mind, here are the 9 best places in Sydney to buy a vintage watch. Shop at any of these destinations and you will surely find something that catches your eye.
1. Vintage Watch Co.
Since it opened in 1994, the Vintage Watch Company has been a standout purveyor of top-quality watches.
Situated on George Street, in the heart of the CBD, they showcase one of the most distinctive ranges of watches in the city.
Boasting a constantly changing selection of vintage watches – as well as new and modern ones too – they pride themselves on offering outstanding watches in mint condition. Their prices represent outstanding value for money too.
If you own a watch that needs repairing, their trained staff of watchmakers can also help with everything from a simple changing of battery to restoring your timepiece back to full working order.
Popular Brands: Luminox, Oris, MeisterSinger, U-Boat, Grand Seiko, Maurice Lacroix, Mondaine, Longines, RADO, Victorinox and Tissot,
Address: Shop 28, The Strand Arcade, 412-414 George Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9221 3373
Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri 9:15 am – 5 pm, Thu 9:15 am – 7:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 5 pm, Sun 11 am – 4 pm
2. Watch Exchange
Over in Bondi, Watch Exchange has developed a reputation for being one of the industry’s most experienced and reliable watch buyers.
Focused on providing international and local customers with the best standard of vintage timepieces they can find, their selection is highly sought after.
If it is top quality you want, then this is the place to come. What is more, if you do visit there, you will be lavished with world-class customer service from staff who are genuine horologists.
Popular Brands: Panerai, Audemars Piguet, Richard Mille, TAG Heuer and Frank Muller
Address: Shop 5044, 500 Oxford Street, Westfield Shopping Centre, Bondi Junction NSW 2022
Phone: +61 424 808 888
Hours: Mon – Wed 9:30 am – 6 pm, Thu 9:30 am – 9 pm, Fri 9:30 am – 7 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm
3. Watch Collector
Tucked away in a quiet part of Market Street, Watch Collector well and truly let their range do the talking.
Specialising in second-hand timepieces, this vendor gives their customers the choice of some of the best watches Sydneysiders can buy.
As well as selling watches, they are also one of the best places to go to in the country for watch restoration.
All of the work they do to fix watches is done on their CBD premises by highly skilled technicians who use cutting-edge Swiss technology. They also offer a warranty which acts as an endorsement of the quality of their work.
Popular Brands: Rolex, Cartier, IWC, TAG Heuer, Omega and Tudor
Address: Level 43, 1 Market Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 1300 858 960
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 am – 5 pm, Sat 11 am – 2 pm
4. Nicholas Hacko Fine Watches
As a third-generation expert watchmaker, you could say Nicholas Hacko was born for the job.
This could go a long way to explaining why he has become one of the most trusted and acclaimed independent vintage watch distributors in Sydney.
Offering a quality range that includes some of the biggest brand names in the business, this establishment also sells watches made by the world’s smallest brand – Rebelde.
For the last 10 years, making watches from scratch has been his side hustle. Born out of the necessity to innovate and survive as an independent watchmaker in Sydney.
Popular Brands: Patek Philippe, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Rebelde and Rolex
Address: Suite 403, Level 4, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9232 0500
Hours: Mon – Thu 11 am – 5 pm, Sat 11 am – 4:30 pm
5. J Farren Price
One of the oldest vintage watch sellers in town is J Farren Price.
Launched in 1942, this retailer is an institution on Castlereagh Street in the CBD.
They offer an excellent selection of classic and modern watches and are the longest-serving agent for the country’s Patek Philippe and Rolex brands. A relationship that started way back in the 1970s when John Farren-Price, the shop’s founder first introduced some of Europe’s best timepieces to his Australian customers.
If you want to buy from the best, this is as good a place as any to go.
Popular Brands: Hublot, Greubel Forsey, Patek Philippe and Chopard
Address: 80 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9231 3299
Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri – Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Thu 10 am – 6 pm, Sun 11:30 am – 5 pm
6. Master Watchmaking
If a name was ever appropriate for a business then Master Watchmaking would have to be it.
Another of the exceptional watch shops on Castlereagh Street in the CBD, the business started in the early 90s. Over three decades of service, they have forged an excellent reputation among both customers and major brands for their commitment to the world of horology.
Not only have they been chosen by Audemars Piguet to be an authorised service centre, but the likes of Maurice Lacroix and Chopard have also followed suit too.
Renowned for being classy, opulent and very unique, their selection of vintage watches is highly sought after.
Popular Brands: Chopard, Audemars Piguet, Seiko, NOMOS Glashüte and Patek Phillipe
Address: Suite 1004, Level 10, 265 Castlereagh Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9264 7769
Hours: Mon – Fri 9 am – 5 pm
7. Timekeeper Boutique
Another excellent place to visit for those wanting a second-hand vintage watch is the Timekeeper Boutique.
You’ll find it at the Strand Arcade in the Sydney CBD where they present a fantastic range of pre-loved designs to their adoring clientele.
Inside you’ll find many top Swiss and other European watch brands including those made by A Lange and Söhne, Audemars Piguet and Jaeger-LeCoultre.
While the team here are notably younger than at other outlets on this list they do not lack in the knowledge department. They also have a bit of dynamism too, which makes them a pleasure to interact with.
As well as buying top quality retro watches, you can also trade and have them expertly serviced here too.
Popular Brands: Audemars Piguet, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, A Lange and Söhne, Hublot, Rolex, Breitling, TAG Heuer, MONTBLANC, Omega, Chopard and IWC.
Address: The Strand Arcade Shop 14, 412-414 George Street Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9233 2740
Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri 9:30 am – 5:30 pm, Thu 9:30 am – 7:30 pm, Sat 10 am – 5 pm, Sun 11 am – 4 pm
8. Zaeger Diamonds & Watches
Want a quality timepiece at a wholesale price? Then make your way over to Zaeger Diamonds & Watches.
Situated on Elizabeth Street within the CBD, they offer their outstanding range of watches directly to customers at very attractive wholesale prices.
Known for their exceptional customer service, for almost 30 years their showroom has wowed those who have perused their collection – which includes some of the biggest brand names in the industry.
Popular Brands: Montblanc, Breguet, Maurice Lacroix, Zenith, Piaget, Baume & Mercier, Omega and Chopard
Address: St James Trust Building, Level 1, Suite 101, 185 Elizabeth St, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 1300 923 437
Hours: Mon – Fri 10 am – 5 pm
9. Kalmar Antiques
If you really have your heart set on an antique timepiece then the only place to go is Kalmar Antiques.
Widely regarded as one of the best antique dealers in Sydney, this impressive outlet on George Street can be found in the CBD within the Queen Victoria Building.
They are known for offering a fantastic range of modern jewellery, clocks, watches and other objects that relate to art, as well as fine antiques. In addition, they also are a registered jeweller who employs a diamond valuer on site, as well as master watchmakers who can repair your timepiece.
While their selection of antique watches is relatively small, this is one occasion when less is definitely more. All of them are incredible.
Popular Brands: Omega, Rolex, Patek Phillipe and Cartier
Address: Shop 23, Level 2, Queen Victoria Building, George Street, Sydney CBD NSW 2000
Phone: +61 2 9264 3663
Hours: Mon – Wed & Fri 9 am – 6 pm, Thu 9 am – 8 pm, Sat 9:30 am – 6 pm, Sun 10 am – 5 pm