Buying GS Snowflake (SBGA211) in Japan ?

[faust munihausen]

Hi,

I will be on a vacation trip in Japan for 2 weeks in August 2023 (traveling around Tokyo, Kyoto etc).

I would be interested in buying a GS Snowflake (SBGA211) while over there.

Where would I get the best deal for this model (new) and what price woud I have to expect?

I heard about the Seiko Boutique in Ginza but if I can get a better price elsewhere I would prefer that.

Bic Camera maybe?



Thanks.

[Old Expat Beast]

I would definitely try Bic Camera and other discount AD stores.

[1William]

I would be tempted to find a JDM model that is limited. Not sure what that would be though.

[Aussiexplorer]

Originally Posted by 1William

I would be tempted to find a JDM model that is limited. Not sure what that would be though.

That would be a great option and then the timepiece becomes the ultimate souvenir.

I'll be looking very hard when I'm there in a few weeks. :)

PS: Bic Camera is where I bought my GS last trip!

[mongrelnomoad]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

I would definitely try Bic Camera and other discount AD stores.

This. It's a regular production model with a long history so you'll probably be able to find it for cheaper at Bic or Yodobashi, and they'll knock off a few percent if you pay by card.

I'll be difficult and say if the sales assistant is Chinese, you may be able to haggle... a bit.

If you don't mind paying a bit more, it's a very special experience to buy a Seiko at Wako.

[faust munihausen]

Originally Posted by mongrelnomoad

This. It's a regular production model with a long history so you'll probably be able to find it for cheaper at Bic or Yodobashi, and they'll knock off a few percent if you pay by card.

I'll be difficult and say if the sales assistant is Chinese, you may be able to haggle... a bit.

If you don't mind paying a bit more, it's a very special experience to buy a Seiko at Wako.

What exactly is the special experience of buying at Seiko (Wako)?

In my home country the Snowflake costs €6700.00 (including VAT).

I have seen it online at Yodobashi for approximately €4300.00.
Bic Camera was more expensive.

If I get the the 10% Tax discount at Yodobashi. That would bring
the price down to a bit under €4000.00.
Not sure how much I would pay at the Seiko flagship store.

So that would probably make Yodobashi my best option.

[mongrelnomoad]

Objectively, nothing. But subjectively it’s a very special place if you are a Seiko fan.

[In-N-Out]

im in Japan now and I haven't seen any snowflakes at any bic camera or yodobashi store. snowflake and white birch, for example, appear to be a boutique exclusive here. I've been to Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo and that seems to be the case throughout all those cities.

also your trip is relatively far out. it's not really the retail price that makes GS cheaper in Japan right now, it's the fx rates. yen could get stronger by august

I bought my sbgm221 at bic camera (about 10% cheaper than boutique), and I bought my white birch at Wako at retail price. got vat refund at both places of course

[faust munihausen]

You might be right.

Yodobashi and Bic don't seem to carry the Snowflake after all.

But if I have to pay the boutique price in Japan (even with 10% discount) I could buy the Snowflake grey in my home country for the same amount (€5200.00) without any customs hassle.

[A971]

Go to Wako / Takashimaya / Mitsukoshi…
Skip the discount places?

If you are okay buying secondary, there are several highly reputable dealers in Ginza… and a gigantic selection of them in Nakano.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[faust munihausen]

If I would be buying the snowflake secondary what would be my best option Tokyo?
Thanks.

[mongrelnomoad]

Just FYI - I was in Tokyo last month and didn’t see a Snowflake in either Yodobashi or Bic.

[faust munihausen]

Hi,

I will be leaving for Japan in 1 week.
Where would be good places to look for second hand GS watches in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka or Hiroshima?
Maybe if I find a "like new" Snowflake I might go for it.
I heard about nakano Broadway in Tokyo. Would that be a good place?
Thanks.

[PBJ1925]

I'd start at Nakano Broadway, there are at least a dozen dealers there in 1 location.

Ginza Rasin (if you're in Ginza) has a decent selection. Happy hunting!

[faust munihausen]

Hi,

I am currently in Japan.
The best deal on the Snowflake that I found so war is JPY 713.000 at Mitsukoshi (8.5% Tax refund and 5% guest card discount included).

Has any1 dealt with a grey dealer housekihiroba in Tokyo?

https://housekihiroba.jp/shop/

They seem to have the best offer atm.

[faust munihausen]

Hi,

I have returned from Japan by now and I got a Snowflake indeed.

I picked it up at Housekihiroba (in Tokyo) at a (tax free) price of Yen 598.000 (€3750).
Full set unworn, box and papers included.
The GS guarantee was activated on the day of purchase.

That was the best deal I could find on my trip (Nakano Broadway included).

Bic Camera, Yodobashi and Don Quijote (donki) do not carry the Snowflake though especially Don Quijote had some interesting deals for Omega watches.

I also checked out the Seiko store at Wako.
Very nice building and exhibiton.
But they were only willing to give me the 10% tax refund on the official sale price of Yen 814.000 and if I can save €800 I save them.

[rom33]

Congratulations faust munihausen,

Soon I will visit Tokyo and will be looking for a GS GMT.
Would you suggest I start looking at Housekihiroba?
Or try several other places first.
Kind regards.

[faust munihausen]

Originally Posted by rom33

Congratulations faust munihausen,

Soon I will visit Tokyo and will be looking for a GS GMT.
Would you suggest I start looking at Housekihiroba?
Or try several other places first.
Kind regards.

Hi,

I would check the home pages of housekihiroba, Jack Road and Kame Kichi (the latter two being in Nakano Broadway) and see what they have.
If they don't have the model that you are looking for in stock just drop them an email well before in advance and ask them if they can help you out.

If all else fails I would check out the Isetan/Mitukoshi (same company) department store.
They will give you are VAT tax refund of 10% (actually 8.5%) and a "guest card" refund of 5%.
So you should be able to get the mode you want at a discount of 13.5% (to Japanese list price) at least.

Good luck.

[LeonardGS]

Thanks faust_munihausen! Heading to japan at the end of this month and just so happened to be looking for the same watch. created an account to say thanks!