Trade Show Report

- by B. Bullock, President

Well, if you missed the Orlando show, you missed the BIG ONE! The best in 5 years! Nearly 1000 members and special guests, plus 20 new members. All 3 days were very good. Sunday, the first day, was great for all buyers and sellers. There was plenty of merchandise. Prices were high, but this did not stop the open-to-close action.

Now for a report on some prices: as always Rolex led the pack for watch action. Due to the new Rolex company prices, we saw prices change on the floor the first day. Gents' double-quick Presidents were at $**** to $**** — up $***. Single-quicks were at $**** to $****. All sport watches were up  from December.

Stainless steel Subs were good at $**** to $**** — new at $****. Gold Subs? There were a few at $**** to $****. Ladies' tutone quick-sets, with holes, $**** — gents' $****. No holes at $**** for ladies', $**** for gents'. Very strong action on ladies' S/S quick-sets at $****, gents' at $**** — better $**** to $****.

On all vintage Rolex watches, prices were very high. Prices on some better model Daytonas from the 1970s were unreal at $****. New Daytonas were still at $****. All models of Yachtmaster were up 10% from December prices.

All better models of the best brands — Patek, Cartier, Franck Mόller — were at **% to **% off list new, and there was a short supply on the floor. Tag Heuer, Breitling, Omega and other name-brands were **% to **% off list. There were no closeout Breitlings. From talking to our big volume watch dealers, they had a very good show. All will be in Vegas March 15th for sure. (Please see our new prices on the web.)

Let's start the jewelry report with loose diamonds. We had a few members who hit 1 MILLION in sales. All shape stones 2 carats and over were strong at **% to **% back of Rap. Many non-cert stones sold at $**** p/c and up. The action on 4 and 5 carat rounds and princess cuts was not to be believed. Some stones changed hands 2 or 3 times! On any stones J color or better and SI1 clarity or better, it was a seller's market in Orlando.

Our jewelry dealers who sell in bulk and with large closeout inventory did a very nice job. It looks to me like most of us had a big holiday season and wanted to re-load on merchandise. Bracelets at $200 to $500 sold. We did not see the large supply of diamond stud earrings that we saw before Christmas.

Large matched pairs of diamonds for studs were hard to come by. Some color sold, and there was good action on all better estate pieces. The buyers of this merchandise told me they were pleased with their buys, as Orlando always brings out the better pieces.

As always, we had great security by Sgt. Cox and his crew. No problems! Keep up the good work!

We had a 3-day Texas Hold 'Em poker tournament. We played a total of 20 games and ended up with co-champions: Alex Roiz of Philadelphia and Guy Attia out of Miami. Second place went to Mark Nowak of Dallas, and third place was Nory Yezekian, also of Miami. These players were impossible to beat. Each received a very nice plaque from this writer.

See you in Vegas!

— Burley