Editor’s pick — Accessory quick take: key highlight (movement/specs for watches, materials/finish, limited run, pricing tier) in 1–2 lines.
The Original Miami Beach Antique Show (OMBAS) is one of my favorite trips of the year. For those of us deep in vintage watch appreciation, it’s an absolute must-see. The show sees watch dealers and collectors flying in from all corners of the world for arguably the most important vintage show in the world. OMBAS is the sort of show you can find stuff you’ll never see again, as well as things you simply didn’t know existed. Ever wanted to see numerous Tasti Tondi’s, Paul Newmans, and 2499’s all in one room? This is where you do it. As its name suggests, it’s truly a diverse show, with all manners of antiques you could think of, and those you couldn’t, all for sale within the colossal Miami Beach Convention Center.
The Miami Beach Convention Center
Typically, the show is held just after the holidays in January, but for 2026, it was moved to March, a decision that also ensured much better weather for those fortunate enough to have spare time to explore.
Held over six days, I picked up a few key takeaways from my time there compared to previous visits. Firstly, prices. Previously, it felt more possible to find deals at the show. Not as much with the watch dealers who know exactly what they have, but from those stands that stock all sorts of antiques, who also just happened to have a few watches hidden away. They were always the gold mines for vintage scores. Nowadays, it seems everyone knows what they have, which seems to be down to one thing: the price of gold.
The desirability of smaller watches isn’t going anywhere.
Secondly, there was undoubtedly a lot of interest in Piaget, perhaps as a second chapter of the buzz generated by Cartier as of late. In a similar vein, vintage Movado was also on the lips of those in the know, though finding pieces in great condition without paying big premiums was tough. Neo-vintage watches were also everywhere, both in booths and on people’s wrists, with AP certainly being the most prominent player.
However, despite focusing on all of these specifics, there was an overarching feeling of a super diverse taste at the show. People were really asking for and hunting for watches that were incredibly specific to their taste, regardless of trends. Some were after the aforementioned, while others were laser-focused on corners of collecting that are insanely overlooked as of late (think vintage Rolex Submariners).
This is just a fraction of the 800+ exhibitor-strong show.
Perhaps this says more about the crowd that attends an antique show hunting for watches than a reflection on the market, but OMBAS is a prime time to take a temperature check on all things vintage.
Before I let you scroll away through the 80+ images from the show, I wanted to highlight a story that’s come out post-show from Matthew Bain. Here, Bain discusses what it was like to attend the show this year, 30 years after his first appearance. It’s packed full of insights, experiences, and, of course, a wealth of knowledge.
At the show, people were undoubtedly in a shopping mood.
There was a lot of buzz around vintage Movado.
At the WatchBrothers London stand, there was a tray of some of the rarest Audemars Piguet QP neo-vintage references.
Over at NYC Vintage Vault, Jordan had curated one of the most coherent stands of the show.
This might be the ultimate Miami Daytona collection right here (zoom in on the dial of the purple Daytona and find that retail signature…).
An incredible Piaget necklace, beautifully modelled by none other than Sacha Davidoff.
A duo of Audemars Piguet neo-vintage QPs, also via Davidoff, with lovely mother-of-pearl dials.
A two-tone Patek 130, retailed by Hausmann via Caso Watches.
The CPCP Cloche from 2007, one of only 100 produced.
A lovely Salmon 2508 Rolex from circa 1937 via Menta Watches.
These two were some major highlights from Mike, first a LeCoultre and then a Cartier Triple Calendar.
And on the wrist was his steel Patek 96 with Breguet numerals.
On day one, Daniel Somlo from Somlo London, one of the premier vintage watch dealers based in Burlington Arcade, pulled me aside to show me his latest pick up.
The beauty of OMBAS is that you truly never know what you’ll come across, and this Hazemann & Monnin, right off the back of winning the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize For Independent Creatives, was certainly unexpected.
Gai from Morillo55 is always a joy to see.
And his selection at the show was perfectly on brand, with both old and new Piaget.
But my personal favorite watch from the show is this long signature Patek Calatrava with its raised numerals, thick hands, and button release at two o’clock on the case – it’s actually a braille watch. The button lifts the crystal so the dial features can be touched and time can be read. You can find braille watches still today, but I’ve never seen a Patek one before.
Franck Muller piece unique. A super early ‘Franck’ only signed minute-repeating perpetual calendar with a Hagmann case, brought to you by none other than Alfredo Paramico.
Sat next to the Franck was this, a unique prototype Speedmaster perpetual calendar, once owned by Mr. Anton Bally (the ETA Ex-Director).
If you follow Alfredo Paramico on Instagram (you should), you’ll have seen his recent love affair with Lange, and during the show, he brought the best of the best.
The Wellendorff bracelets for Lange are having a moment with collectors – and of course, as a leading voice in the world of watch collecting, Alfredo has many.
Another Lange from Mr. Alfredo Paramico.
The San Macro by Ulysse Nardin with the cloisonne dials has been steadily growing in popularity over the past few years, and these two examples are some of the rarest I’ve come across.
Although this Saint Peter’s Basilica edition might have the others beaten – ‘0/10’.
One of only 7 Gübelin Druid in platinum.
Made in 2000, this 041/00R features a handmade dial which has more of a shimmery, almost mirror like effect,
Back inside, Monaco Legend Group is always a highlight of any show, and this year they brought 200 watches with them, with a mix of pieces from their upcoming auction as well as their private sale – this Vacheron Constantin Reverso is particularly special,
As is this platinum Tank à Guichets. This is one of only three produced for the 1996 Cartier auction.
Continuing the theme of ‘I’ve never seen this before’: The Parmigiani Fleurier Tecnica – a piece unique perpetual calendar, minute repeating tourbillon…
A doré dial Patek 3448, and before you ask, yes, that necklace around the watch is also from Patek.
A stunning cloisonne Rolex 6101 focusing on the map of Africa – its the birds on the left hand side of the dial for me.
The more you look, the crazier this AP gets.
A particularly cute Cartier.
Returning to Monaco Legend Group, this particularly compelling Doxa just so happens to feature the same movement.
On the Friday evening, the annual tradition of the Davidoff x Menta GTG took place, for Cameron Barr from Craft and Tailored he rocked up wearing this Daytona 16528 with a Tiffany stamp.
Audemars Piguet Purple Star Wheel.
An Aquanaut 5066A.
Yet another neo-vintage AP, this time a crazy diamond set piece platinum with a hand engraved car dial.
A caramel dial Submariner.
Cameron Steiner (@cameronrosssteiner) rocking his F.P.Journe Chronomètre Souverain in rose.
Over at WatchBrothers London, a Breguet triple threat had people talking, each with Tiffany & Co stamps.
As did this wild complete set Vacheron Constantin 43032.
From one full set to another, this Vacheron Mercator even included its loupe.
Another day, another hugely (and wrongly) overlooked neo-vintage Blancpain.
Back with CasoWatches, the heat was brought thanks to this remarkable split-second Patek Philippe pocket watch.
How often do you see a stickered Midas in 2026? There’s just nothing like it on wrist.
Triple calendar and two tone.
A Rolex Padellone 8171 – serious vintage.
Strong double AP game.
This Patek Philippe 96 in platinum had a lot of attention…
… as did this purple patina Submariner.
How about something a touch more out there?
We’ve seen a couple neo-vintage AP QPs so far, but this one might take the top prize.
Yes, that’s a Panerai compass.
Even a friends and family Berneron made it to Miami Beach.
More retailer signatures.
A seriously lovely two tone Patek Calatrava.
And arguably a highlight of the show come via Maxime from Mr Watchley – a Cartier Octagonal from London and a Dual Time.
The 3350 Tourbillon from Breguet is one of the smartest buys in the neo-vintage world today.
An Advanced Research 5550P.
Super funky numerals on this disco volante style LeCoultre.
And with that, my ride to the airport awaits.
Source: www.hodinkee.com — original article published 2026-04-27 13:00:00.
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