You can learn a lot from forums online, but it’s nice to get out of the house once in a while. So why not find a local watch get-together (GTG) to meet up with others who are just as watch-obsessed?
If you prefer field trips, and enjoy some spirits as well, check out your local RedBar chapter (if you don’t know someone who already attends…good luck with you cold-email to the organizer(s)), with get-togethers held at bars, retail stores, museums, and more. RedBar isn’t the only organization around, with different groups by city – check out watch forums and in-person watch events to track these down.
If you do attend a watch GTG, don’t go diving into the watch pile, reaching around and over people to grab watches. At least say “hello” to the owner before fondling their goods, and politely ask if you can check out their watch or try it on. Some owners will prefer their watches set on their side so not to mar the case. Oblige.
Some meetings aren’t limited to a local area – there are groups of vintage collectors take field trips. Far away. Such as all the way to Switzerland, such as for the Heuer’s Collectors Summit. Now that’s a field trip.