ON THE ROAD FOR WATCHES, GOLD AND ANTIQUES.
By ALICE MASCARENHAS, Gibraltar Chronicle, Friday 29th August 2008.
Examining old jewellery the team from Roadshow EU, a London based company, delves into the finer details of the items arriving at their two day fair at the Elliot Hotel. Back in Gibraltar for a third time this company buys mainly watches and gold – some of the stuff may have gathering dust at the bottom of a draw – the stuff handed down through generations just taken out once every few years, which at times you have thought of getting rid of but never quite got round to it because of sentimental attachment.
Roadshow EU is an easy alternative to auction houses where the buyer comes to you.
Morne Botes, is originally from South Africa, and started this business some three years ago but he has been in the business for some seven years. “People do forget about their valuables sometimes for years, maybe they bought them or inherited them.”
Yesterday morning the steady flow of locals who had obviously delved into their old jewellery boxes and long forgotten items had already produced some goods.
“We have bought a Rolex for £250 and even thought it was damaged and rusty we know we can put together a second watch of the same style and make and create one.”
“Watches are our main interest and we are looking for all Rolex, Omega, and Breitling watches. At the moment the interest lies in Rolex diver watches the kind that Roger Moore used to wear in the James Bond movies.”
“There is a huge market for old watches. We are always on the look out for obscure watches because we know they will sell. Many people like to buy old watches, watches with a bit of history. Our main business is the Omega watches, “he says. In fact theirs is a pretty unique business. Travelling around Europe – and they have been everywhere over the past few years – Spain, Germany, Belgium, Holland, Czech Republic, Slovakia – buying old jewellery and collectable watches from the ordinary man in the street, or taking old stock from shops which are just holding on to them because they simply can’t sell them. These then get sold in London, and in fairs in Germany and Italy.
In fact, in Germany there are watch fairs every weekend. “The Germans and Italians are great collectors. There is a fair in Munich where there are 3,000 watch dealers. It is a massive market. Young city boys want a watch that their fathers used to have, because anyone can go out and buy a new watch, but these guys they want something that is unique and not made anymore, something anyone else will not have.”
“Gold is a big thing. People come in with broken bits, maybe an item they don’t wear anymore. English sovereigns, the Krugerands, because gold price is very high it is the right time to sell.”
They are also looking for diamonds, and Victorian jewellery and antiques. There are strict guidelines when you arrive at the fair with the buyers taking the right steps to ensure that the jewellery is genuine and not stolen. Their business comes in through their strong promotion and advertising campaign. More often that not people who come in to inquire about their pieces end up selling. They pay cash for everything. You get a free verbal valuation and security and discretion is assured.
10% of their annual profits are donated to charity. One of the main charities that has benefited is Great Ormond Street Children Hospital in the UK.
The Roadshow continues at the Elliot Hotel from 9am to 6pm.
They will also return to the Rock and the O’Callaghan Elliot Hotel.
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