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PhrasesAt the Antique MarketVende orologi antichi?
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Vende orologi antichi?

Do you sell antique clocks or watches?

Pronunciation

o-RO-lo-gi — four syllables; stress on the second. The 'gi' at the end is the soft 'j' sound ('ji').

When to use it

Use this at a general antique stall to ask if they have horological items. 'Orologio' covers both clocks (da tavolo, a pendolo) and wristwatches (da polso).

What it means

'Orologi' is the plural of 'orologio'. Italian antique markets often include dedicated watch and clock sellers. The distinction: 'orologio da polso' (wristwatch), 'orologio da tavolo' (table clock), 'orologio a pendolo' (pendulum/grandfather clock), 'orologio da parete' (wall clock).

Variations

Ha orologi da polso vintage?

Do you have vintage wristwatches?

Vintage wristwatches (Omega, Longines, Rolex, Vetta) are very popular in Italy

Questo orologio funziona ancora?

Does this clock/watch still work?

Working condition is important — non-working pieces should be priced lower

Ha qualcosa di marchi italiani?

Do you have anything by Italian brands?

Italian watch brands like Panerai, Bulgari, and Eberhard & Co. have vintage collector value

Mini Dialogue

— Vende orologi antichi? — Sì, ho qualche orologio da tasca dell'Ottocento e alcuni da polso degli anni Cinquanta. — Gli orologi da tasca funzionano? — Questo sì — è stato appena revisionato da un orologiaio. — Posso vederlo?

— Do you sell antique clocks or watches? — Yes, I have some nineteenth century pocket watches and some from the 1950s. — Do the pocket watches work? — This one does — it was just serviced by a watchmaker. — Can I see it?

Cultural Note

Italy has a rich horological tradition. The Patek Philippe museum in Geneva notwithstanding, Italian cities like Genoa were early pioneers in clockmaking. Vintage Panerai watches — originally made for the Italian Navy's divers — have become enormously collectible internationally, with some examples fetching six-figure sums at auction.