Buying Rolex in Tokyo vs Hong Kong

[NCD1979]

is it true that a strong US dollar has made Japan the better place to get a deal on Rolex? My understanding is that the HKD is pegged to the USD therefore taking advantage of exchange rates is not what it once was. Has Japan become a prime Rolex buying destination?

Just curious as I'll be in Tokyo next month and would like to price out a Hulk. AD/Gray recommendations??

[Old Expat Beast]

AD price for the Hulk in HK is HK$68,100. Grey prices are not good on this one, around HK$66,000 so you may as well go AD, as they'll usually offer 5% off anyway (not sure if they will of this model, but I guess they would). Not sure about Tokyo pricing.

[DCheeta]

I'm curious about this as well, as I will be in Tokyo next month also.

[NCD1979]

The question came from an interesting article I recently read in a newspaper. It spoke of how the strengthening US dollar has negatively impacted retail sales in Honk Kong. It also spoke of increased sales in Tokyo and other Asian countries where currency is not pegged to the USD.

[SMD]

Heading to Tokyo again in a few weeks but I would guess that HK is better. Tokyo dealers tend to adjust the pricing very quickly for currency depreciation. Given that the yen has been week for a long, long time, most prices of imported goods will have adjusted accordingly long ago. Domestic goods would be a different story.


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[4vCoupe]

Originally Posted by SMD

Heading to Tokyo again in a few weeks but I would guess that HK is better. Tokyo dealers tend to adjust the pricing very quickly for currency depreciation. Given that the yen has been week for a long, long time, most prices of imported goods will have adjusted accordingly long ago. Domestic goods would be a different story.


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Can Rolex ADs adjust the price of their watches? I thought all prices were set by Rolex and not the AD.

Also is it cheaper to buy in Canada or Japan?


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[SMD]

Originally Posted by 4vCoupe

Can Rolex ADs adjust the price of their watches? I thought all prices were set by Rolex and not the AD.

Also is it cheaper to buy in Canada or Japan?


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No but prices adjust for currency changes as needed. The yen has been weak a long time. Based on APs, which is what I have bought in Japan a couple of times and am more familiar with, they adjust pricing fairly quickly. I was there once when the yen was 103 per usd and then at 123 per usd and each time the pricing worked out pretty much the same. I say HK only because it is such a huge market for watches and there is a lot of competition amongst the resellers.

[malarky_hk]

Availability of the Hulk is an issue in HK. Have yet to see one on display at the ADs. Went in asked recently while browsing and was told to get on a wait list.

Japan maybe better given the 8% tax refund and the weak Yen. Try Housekihiroba.

[AK1984]

Buy in Canada


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[SMD]

Originally Posted by AK1984

Buy in Canada


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Very helpful for someone heading to Japan


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[theprocess]

Originally Posted by AK1984

Buy in Canada


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10,300Cdn or 7,350Usd at current exchange rate. Sales taxes are extra 5-15% depending on province.

[AK1984]

Originally Posted by theprocess

10,300Cdn or 7,350Usd at current exchange rate. Sales taxes are extra 5-15% depending on province.

I just bought a BLNR for CAD 10,000, or $7,2xx, AD covered tax.
Very happpy


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[jon_jon]

If you can find an AD with the watch you are looking for in Tokyo or elsewhere in Japan, you will get a better deal. The problem is their limited supply of popular Rolex watches. Also bear in mind, English language skills of Japanese SAs can vary greatly, so make sure you have google translate ready on your phone.

Since the HKD is pegged to the USD, I have not found any great deals in HK, unless you are looking at the vintage Rolex market, where you may find some hard to find watches in HK.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by jon_jon

The problem is their limited supply of popular Rolex watches. Also bear in mind, English language skills of Japanese SAs can vary greatly, so make sure you have google translate ready on your phone.

Since the HKD is pegged to the USD, I have not found any great deals in HK, unless you are looking at the vintage Rolex market, where you may find some hard to find watches in HK.

A very good advice indeed on the googling part. I was there a few weeks ago and Google helped a lot when watch watching

Yes, you can forget about getting a popular model at the AD unless you are dead lucky that day ! I was there a few years back and gotten a Hulk. The grey dealers, all their BNIB pieces, are commanding a premium ! So not worth the look.

As for HK, too bad, the USD and hence HKD has rallied and made watches there unattractive

All the best watch shopping in Tokyo

[bbressler]

Weak yen makes for good prices for US buyers, but Rolex raised prices in Japan earlier in the year, so not as good a deal as it was at the end of 2014 when I got my GMT2c at Housekihiroba. They are an excellent gray dealer, and there are a couple of others that pop up if you search the forum for Tokyo. Finding popular SS models at ADs there is very tough.

[ADINVA]

The price for a Hulk in an AD store in Japan after tax is approximately HK$56,000 (give and take couple hundreds depending on exchange rate). Official retail price for Hulk in HK is HK$68,100 (max discount is 5%, roughly HK$63000).

Only issue in Japan is that you can hardly get it at an AD shop. Hulk is one of the most wanted pieces given the significant price discount and almost everyday there are customers asking for this watch. Japan grey reseller is selling Hulk for approximately HK$62,000 after tax.

Good luck in hunting for Hulk in Japan or in HK. Need a lot of luck.

[climbwithahelmet]

Was just in Tokyo and didn't see any deals from ADs. Granted I was looking at SS models and I was in Tokyo. I have heard you will have better luck in the outlying cities.

Japan has a huge second hand market though. Saw some good opportunities at Jack Road in Nakano. Don't expect to negotiate though according to my interpreter.

[ADINVA]

Jackroad has a great selection and a reputable grey reseller. Prices are pretty attractive for pre-owned. Hulk is priced above the AD retail price unfortunately.

[GB-man]

Also not going to help you that green is a lucky color for the Chinese new year. I was told by a friend and dealer here that there has been a small spike in demand for the piece as a result.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by GB-man

Also not going to help you that green is a lucky color for the Chinese new year. I was told by a friend and dealer here that there has been a small spike in demand for the piece as a result.

I see a lot of them on female wrists here.

[hchj]

Japan wins hands down in almost every possible way, provided you can find the hulk in an AD. I bought mine in Tokyo in June.


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[4vCoupe]

Originally Posted by hchj

Japan wins hands down in almost every possible way, provided you can find the hulk in an AD. I bought mine in Tokyo in June.


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I know the price you pay in US dollars will vary by he current exchange rate but can you PM me some details of how much you paid and what kind if discount you got. Just wanting some more info in the whole process. I will be back in Japan around April and I am curious about buying there.


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[hchj]

Originally Posted by 4vCoupe

I know the price you pay in US dollars will vary by he current exchange rate but can you PM me some details of how much you paid and what kind if discount you got. Just wanting some more info in the whole process. I will be back in Japan around April and I am curious about buying there.


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No discount as I bought it in an AD. Got the full 8% tax refund on the spot, in cash.


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[lewisanderson]

Kame Kichi and Jack Road in Nakano are the places to go, but both price the hulk above Japanese RRP.

[NCD1979]

Thanks guys...this is all very helpful.

[SMD]

I will report back in 3 weeks on Tokyo. Been there 3 times in the last 12 months and there have never been smoking deals. Resellers adjust pricing fairly quickly and most ADs have a limited selection.

[slomo]

Was in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka) in October. Lots of ADs but very little inventory of SS sports watches. I did see 1 SubC Date at Lexia Ginza and 1 black GMT in Osaka. BLNR and sub LV are nowhere to be found except for grey dealers. There are plenty of SD4000. Definitely recommend going to hosekihiroba - some really good prices and huge selection.

[NCD1979]

Originally Posted by slomo

Was in Japan (Tokyo, Osaka) in October. Lots of ADs but very little inventory of SS sports watches. I did see 1 SubC Date at Lexia Ginza and 1 black GMT in Osaka. BLNR and sub LV are nowhere to be found except for grey dealers. There are plenty of SD4000. Definitely recommend going to hosekihiroba - some really good prices and huge selection.

What was the price on SD4000?

[rollee1]

The 2 best places I know are the Rolex boutiques in Amsterdam Schiphol airport and Tokyo Haneda airport. If you come across your model in these shops, you struck gold.

Haneda Rolex boutique is famous for the most affordable prices on Rolex, worth to change flights which flies out of there.

[shou.biao.kuang]

Originally Posted by rollee1

The 2 best places I know are the Rolex boutiques in Amsterdam Schiphol airport and Tokyo Haneda airport. If you come across your model in these shops, you struck gold.

Haneda Rolex boutique is famous for the most affordable prices on Rolex, worth to change flights which flies out of there.

great advice.