Join Us: The Watch Preserve Starts Bringing Vintage to Brooklyn Aug 28th

Windup Watch Shop

August 25, 2025

Buying your first vintage watch is a little like stepping into a time machine. Every case has patina earned over decades, every dial tells a story of design choices made in another era, and every movement keeps time with the stubborn persistence of mechanical ingenuity. For three days this August, the Windup Watch Shop showroom in Brooklyn will become exactly that kind of space—an immersive experience curated by The Watch Preserve.

The Watch Preserve at the 2025 Dallas Windup Watch Fair

A Journey Through Timepieces

The Watch Preserve, founded in Fort Worth, Texas, has built its reputation on offering watches that feel less like artifacts and more like living objects. Their philosophy is simple: vintage watches shouldn’t be confined to display cases—they should be worn, enjoyed, and folded into daily life. The collection they’re bringing to Brooklyn reflects that ethos: tool watches that feel ready for the next adventure, dress pieces that pair seamlessly with modern wardrobes, and hidden gems that remind you why collecting can be as much about discovery as it is about acquisition.

Guiding the Conversation: Michael Pandolfo

At the heart of this experience will be Michael Pandolfo, a collector and writer whose essay “Living With Your Watches: A Collector’s Guide to Versatility” has become a touchstone for vintage enthusiasts. Pandalfo’s perspective isn’t about treating vintage watches as fragile treasures—it’s about embracing their versatility. He’ll be in the showroom to share insights on everything from styling to care, but more importantly, to help visitors see these watches not as objects from the past, but as companions for the present.

The Watch Preserve YouTube channel hosts a trove of videos on interesting and rare vintage pieces. Check out this great conversation between Michael and Forest Barber—a five-time offshore powerboat world champion and co-winner of the 2004 Rolex 24 at Daytona.   

More Than a Buying Event

What sets this experience apart is the chance to engage directly—with the watches, with a seasoned collector with a plethora of knowledge. You’re not just browsing a lineup of old watches; you’re holding history, trying it on your wrist, and considering how it might play a role in your own life. The tactile moment when a vintage watch clicks onto your wrist, or when you feel the weight of a timepiece that once timed dives decades ago—that’s the kind of connection you can’t replicate online.

Why It Matters

Vintage collecting can sometimes feel intimidating—prices, provenance, condition reports—but The Watch Preserve and The Windup Watch Shop are approaching it differently. By bringing these watches into a casual, open showroom space, they’re stripping away barriers and creating a community-driven environment where curiosity comes first. It’s less about finding the “perfect” piece and more about engaging with the process: talking, learning, and discovering how vintage watches can fit seamlessly into modern life.

This isn’t an event to attend and leave—it’s an experience to immerse yourself in, a moment to explore what it means to “live with your watches.” Whether you walk out with a new piece or simply with a deeper appreciation for the stories ticking inside these cases, the impression will last far longer than a weekend.

As a reminder, our showroom is located at 540 President Street, Suite 1G, Brooklyn, NY 11215 and our hours of opreation are 12pm - 6pm, Thursday, Friday, Saturday. No appointment needed. 

We hope to see you there!

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