The Rise of Tyler Mikorski, AKA Vookum: A Young Entrepreneur Dominating NYC’s Watch Market

Tyler Mikorski, known in the luxury watch scene as Vookum, has transformed New York’s 47th Street into his professional playground, building a remarkable career as a luxury watch dealer and social media influencer. Born to an Italian mother from Naples and a Polish-German father, Tyler combines a multicultural heritage with a unique blend of tenacity and resourcefulness. This biography explores the journey of a young entrepreneur who has successfully integrated his business savvy with his social media prowess to establish himself as a trusted name in the high-stakes world of luxury watches.

Early Life and Influences

Tyler’s fascination with commerce began at a young age. As a teenager, he immersed himself in flea markets, reselling phones, phone cases, and even assisting in furniture moving. These early experiences honed his entrepreneurial spirit and ingrained in him the determination to carve out his niche. From lifting boxes in flea markets to selling luxury watches on one of the world’s most prestigious streets, Tyler’s journey has been marked by hustle and resilience.

A pivotal figure in Tyler’s life has been John Buckley, the father of one of his close friends and a mentor in the jewelry business. Buckley introduced Tyler to the Diamond District, teaching him the importance of reputation and trust in the industry. Through Buckley’s mentorship, Tyler gained valuable insights into the complex world of luxury watches, learning that relationships and reputation were paramount to success.

Launching into the Watch Industry

Tyler’s first foray into luxury watches began when he was 17, with Buckley guiding him through the intricacies of watch trading. By 18, Tyler was a regular on 47th Street, where he started flipping luxury watches in New York’s Diamond District. He describes his early days as challenging, navigating an industry that often looked down on newcomers, especially young ones. However, his resilience and ability to quickly make connections on the street helped him gain a foothold.

Tyler soon found his rhythm, meeting new people every day and selling watches to buyers ranging from collectors to fellow jewelers. The transactional nature of the business appealed to his fast-paced style, and he quickly recognized the potential to grow beyond just street sales.

The Vookum Brand and Social Media Impact

In January 2022, Tyler took his business to the next level by leveraging social media, particularly TikTok, to market his watches. Initially, his goal was to build a following that would help him sell watches more quickly and at better prices. What began as a strategy to move inventory soon turned into a powerful brand. Vookum became a recognizable name in the online luxury watch community, with Tyler’s posts attracting a substantial following. The transparency of his content—showing real-time negotiations, flips, and the everyday hustle of a watch dealer—resonated with viewers and cemented his reputation as an authentic and trustworthy dealer.

This transparency also posed challenges. Tyler’s open approach to social media, where he disclosed his purchase prices and profit margins, occasionally led to difficult negotiations, as customers were now aware of his margins. Nevertheless, his willingness to share these details built trust among his followers, many of whom began to see Tyler as an accessible figure in an otherwise opaque industry.

Navigating the Challenges of the Industry

The luxury watch market is volatile, influenced by factors such as global events, currency fluctuations, and shifts in consumer trends. Tyler has weathered these challenges with a keen eye for market changes and a focus on quick, profitable flips. He recalls a particularly stressful experience buying a Patek Philippe watch from a retail seller at $82,000, only to find that the market price had dropped, leaving him scrambling to recoup his investment. Fortunately, Tyler’s connections came through, and he managed to sell the watch at a modest profit, but the experience underscored the high stakes of his chosen field.

His unique working hours—starting around noon and ending by early evening—allow him to maintain a relaxed lifestyle while managing the demands of a bustling business. Tyler is clear about his priorities, focusing on profitable deals and avoiding unnecessary risks, like wearing high-value watches on the street, to protect himself in an industry fraught with security concerns.

Looking Ahead

As his brand continues to grow, Tyler is considering diversifying his investments beyond watches. He has expressed an interest in real estate, viewing it as a stable complement to his fast-moving, high-risk watch business. He’s also exploring ideas for branded products, like watch cleaning kits, and merchandise that his fans can purchase as a piece of the Vookum legacy.

Tyler Mikorski’s journey from flea markets to luxury watch dealing on 47th Street is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic branding, and the importance of mentorship. Through hard work and a shrewd understanding of market dynamics, Tyler, or Vookum, has become a respected name in the luxury watch business, with a reputation for authenticity that sets him apart in the competitive world of high-end jewelry. As he continues to grow his brand and expand his horizons, Tyler remains an inspiring figure for young entrepreneurs everywhere.