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brandobot · 22 March 2018, 11:19 AM

Hello.

I’m flying to Japan next month and was wondering if anyone knew if it were cheaper to buy a Rolex from an AD there?

Also interested in hearing about duty fees when coming back to the US. Thanks!

Daryl · 22 March 2018, 12:19 PM

I'm going there too in May. I'm interested as well.

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Etschell · 22 March 2018, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandobot

Hello.

I’m flying to Japan next month and was wondering if anyone knew if it were cheaper to buy a Rolex from an AD there?

Also interested in hearing about duty fees when coming back to the US. Thanks!

paging gaijin

Gaijin · 22 March 2018, 01:15 PM

Page answered.

From an AD. No. No discounts ever too. Shopping tourists come over and pay cash. No negotiations. Also popular models are not always to be found in ADs. Stock is not too bad though.

From a grey NIB, Maybe. Depending on the model.

If you are using a US Dollar conversion that has been ugly lately too. The last Rolex I bought I used my US credit card. The Dollar then was 118 to the Yen. I bought my OP 39 NIB for about $3600 not including tax. Today hovering around 105-106.

As a non resident you will get the 8 % tax back. But sadly there are no deals to be had in Japan right now.

Trading a watch in you might do ok. Prices have risen so much on popular models at Greys that they are being fair in their offers.

Daryl · 22 March 2018, 01:19 PM

Thank you buddy

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brandobot · 22 March 2018, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Page answered.

From an AD. No. No discounts ever too. Shopping tourists come over and pay cash. No negotiations. Also popular models are not always to be found in ADs. Stock is not too bad though.

From a grey NIB, Maybe. Depending on the model.

If you are using a US Dollar conversion that has been ugly lately too. The last Rolex I bought I used my US credit card. The Dollar then was 118 to the Yen. I bought my OP 39 NIB for about $3600 not including tax. Today hovering around 105-106.

As a non resident you will get the 8 % tax back. But sadly there are no deals to be had in Japan right now.

Trading a watch in you might do ok. Prices have risen so much on popular models at Greys that they are being fair in their offers.

Thank you for the informative post!

sensui · 22 March 2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandobot

Hello.

I’m flying to Japan next month and was wondering if anyone knew if it were cheaper to buy a Rolex from an AD there?

Also interested in hearing about duty fees when coming back to the US. Thanks!

I've been married for 10 years now and I visit my inlaws there every year. Been watch shopping there for many years.....can tell you Gaijin knows his stuff obviously living there. No discounts to be had in ADs no matter what you're buying.....I personally have never seen more than datejusts and PM sports models at ADs (OK maybe I've seen a stainless Milgauss once).....but the grey market has everything you'd ever want....at an astronomical price of course. Japan's pricing is consistently higher than what you'd buy for here in the US grey market wise and the dollar's value is terrible now versus the yen....so that throws the AD idea out the door as well. You can save the tax but declaring the watch coming back to the states subjects you to around 3.5% tariff and if you're in California (seems like OP is in San Francisco), you can bet you'll be receiving a letter for use tax so that's another 8-10% tacked on.

Conclusion, enjoy Japan for the culture (especially the people and food) and don't waste too much time watch shopping unless you like to window shop or it's on your way. That's my advice.

kdphan · 22 March 2018, 04:05 PM

Was there about a month ago

Couldn't find a sport model at 3 diff ADs

There really isn't any supply there.

oreiam · 22 March 2018, 04:09 PM

Going to Japan next month as well, thank you for all comments sharing.

Royalex · 22 March 2018, 04:37 PM

Recently in grey dealer, I found the prices were not so good for some popular sport models. But datejust41 was quite reasonable price compared to my country.

brandobot · 23 March 2018, 09:32 AM

Thanks guys! Sounds like I'll be passing on spending time looking for a watch in Japan. :)

Grapenut · 23 March 2018, 09:50 AM

Visited Japan 3 times in the past 12 months. To echo everyone above, sport models very limited at ADs and the super desirable pieces non-existent. The grey inventories are nice to window shop but you won't see much, if any, savings.

Just enjoy the culture, weather & cherry blossoms, and hopefully you happen find your piece

coelacanthus · 23 March 2018, 10:50 AM

Going to Japan myself in a couple weeks, but sounds like the Rolex prices there aren't attractive. I am originally from Japan and can read Japanese so I've been researching bunch of store websites and forums there, but that has basically confirmed what sensui said.

Another problem of Rolex shopping in Japan seems to be that they like their watches shiny and looking new (though I'm also hearing they are now "reverse importing" the concept of Wabi-Sabi in the recent years). So many reputable places casually and consistently saying "polished" and "touched up during service" in their descriptions.

Instead, I'm planning to look for some of the Grand-Seiko pieces I've been thinking about.

Jay (Eire) · 23 March 2018, 11:03 AM

In general now is not the time to buy in Japan, the Yen is too strong. Late 2014 - Mid 2016 and again in early 2017 there were, in USD terms, fantastic buys in the grey market in Japan. I'm not sure that opportunity will come again any time soon.

That said, in Tokyo at least, the grey market/used dealer inventory is superb. Everything you want, you just now have to pay up for it (which perhaps our local posters always had to do).

gt0279a · 23 March 2018, 11:07 AM

As others have said, the US to Yen conversion was much better a few years ago.

Bought wew Rolex and lots of vintage there, it is the place if you are looking for mint condition.

Jack Road in Nakano Broadway is my favorite. Nice Vintage collection there as well and in many other shops in that mall.

Grapenut · 23 March 2018, 11:13 AM

For reference, in January Yodobashi Camera locations in Osaka and Akiba had Hulks at ‎roughly ¥120,000 and standard subs/GMT around ‎¥100,000.

tech_controller · 23 March 2018, 11:14 AM

If you have time, you can head over to jack road or kame kichi in Nakano...easy on the JR Yamanote line.

Lots and lots of greys and new and pre-loved pieces there. I frequent from time to time. They gave me almost 11k in trade on my TT Blue Sub ceramic.

https://www.kame-kichi.com/foroverseas.html

As Gaijin and others have mentioned, the ADs don't discount and the only time to buy was a few years ago when the FX rate was very good.

Quark will have lots of vintage pieces to drool over but be ready for the sticker shock of what they are asking for to get it on your wrist.

teo · 23 March 2018, 11:22 AM

Just wonder in japan is it cheaper to buy a Tudor big block chronograph?

teo · 23 March 2018, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuneparg

For reference, in January Yodobashi Camera locations in Osaka and Akiba had Hulks at ‎roughly ¥120,000 and standard subs/GMT around ‎¥100,000.

Cannot be so cheap.

i am getting a dozen.

Gaijin · 23 March 2018, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teo

Cannot be so cheap.

i am getting a dozen.

Just missing a zero.

gregmoeck · 23 March 2018, 08:56 PM

Enjoy the food, that’s the main reason to visit japan

hype.e · 24 March 2018, 12:42 AM

I was there 2 weeks ago.
If you're going to Tokyo head into Nakano Broadway, it's a mall with a tone of grey market sellers.
You can pretty much find anything there and you save 8% tax if you take your passport.
Although there wasn't much vintage stock there.

22 March 2018, 11:19 AM	#1
brandobot 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: Daytona Posts: 363	Rolexes in Japan Hello. I’m flying to Japan next month and was wondering if anyone knew if it were cheaper to buy a Rolex from an AD there? Also interested in hearing about duty fees when coming back to the US. Thanks!

22 March 2018, 12:19 PM	#2
Daryl 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 3,363	I'm going there too in May. I'm interested as well. Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ 2FA-Enabled Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

22 March 2018, 01:19 PM	#5
Daryl 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: USA Posts: 3,363	Thank you buddy Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk __________________ 2FA-Enabled Official Member "Perpetual 30" Las Vegas International GTG 2016 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2017 Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019

23 March 2018, 11:07 AM	#15
gt0279a "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Real Name: Steve Location: Georgia Watch: All of them Posts: 579	As others have said, the US to Yen conversion was much better a few years ago. Bought wew Rolex and lots of vintage there, it is the place if you are looking for mint condition. Jack Road in Nakano Broadway is my favorite. Nice Vintage collection there as well and in many other shops in that mall. __________________ Current: Rolex Daytona 116500 \| Rolex Submariner 116610 \| Zenith El Primero 03.2150.400/69 Past: Rolex Sea Dweller 126600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 116600 \| Rolex Sea Dweller 16600 \| Rolex Submariner 16610 \| Rolex Submariner 1680

23 March 2018, 11:14 AM	#17
tech_controller "TRF" Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Real Name: Daniel Location: Middle Earth Watch: Me Bleed... Posts: 687	If you have time, you can head over to jack road or kame kichi in Nakano...easy on the JR Yamanote line. Lots and lots of greys and new and pre-loved pieces there. I frequent from time to time. They gave me almost 11k in trade on my TT Blue Sub ceramic. https://www.kame-kichi.com/foroverseas.html As Gaijin and others have mentioned, the ADs don't discount and the only time to buy was a few years ago when the FX rate was very good. Quark will have lots of vintage pieces to drool over but be ready for the sticker shock of what they are asking for to get it on your wrist. __________________ 126711CHNR \| 326935 \| 11613 black \| 11613 serti \| 16610 \| 116660 \| 116610LV \| 116713LN 116519 panda \| 116710LN \| 116713LB \| 116713LB diamond

22 March 2018, 01:15 PM	#4
Gaijin 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Japan Watch: ing your back. Posts: 16,179	Page answered. From an AD. No. No discounts ever too. Shopping tourists come over and pay cash. No negotiations. Also popular models are not always to be found in ADs. Stock is not too bad though. From a grey NIB, Maybe. Depending on the model. If you are using a US Dollar conversion that has been ugly lately too. The last Rolex I bought I used my US credit card. The Dollar then was 118 to the Yen. I bought my OP 39 NIB for about $3600 not including tax. Today hovering around 105-106. As a non resident you will get the 8 % tax back. But sadly there are no deals to be had in Japan right now. Trading a watch in you might do ok. Prices have risen so much on popular models at Greys that they are being fair in their offers.

22 March 2018, 04:05 PM	#8
kdphan "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: SF Bay Area Watch: Fitbit Posts: 265	Was there about a month ago Couldn't find a sport model at 3 diff ADs There really isn't any supply there.

22 March 2018, 04:09 PM	#9
oreiam "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Bangkok, Thailand Posts: 2	Going to Japan next month as well, thank you for all comments sharing.

22 March 2018, 04:37 PM	#10
Royalex "TRF" Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Bangkok Posts: 762	Recently in grey dealer, I found the prices were not so good for some popular sport models. But datejust41 was quite reasonable price compared to my country.

23 March 2018, 09:32 AM	#11
brandobot 2024 ROLEX DATEJUST41 Pledge Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: Daytona Posts: 363	Thanks guys! Sounds like I'll be passing on spending time looking for a watch in Japan. :)

23 March 2018, 09:50 AM	#12
Grapenut 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: IAH Watch: GMT(s) & Sub Posts: 290	Visited Japan 3 times in the past 12 months. To echo everyone above, sport models very limited at ADs and the super desirable pieces non-existent. The grey inventories are nice to window shop but you won't see much, if any, savings. Just enjoy the culture, weather & cherry blossoms, and hopefully you happen find your piece

23 March 2018, 10:50 AM	#13
coelacanthus "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SF, CA, USA Posts: 148	Going to Japan myself in a couple weeks, but sounds like the Rolex prices there aren't attractive. I am originally from Japan and can read Japanese so I've been researching bunch of store websites and forums there, but that has basically confirmed what sensui said. Another problem of Rolex shopping in Japan seems to be that they like their watches shiny and looking new (though I'm also hearing they are now "reverse importing" the concept of Wabi-Sabi in the recent years). So many reputable places casually and consistently saying "polished" and "touched up during service" in their descriptions. Instead, I'm planning to look for some of the Grand-Seiko pieces I've been thinking about.

23 March 2018, 11:03 AM	#14
Jay (Eire) 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Real Name: @jb.watching Location: NYC Posts: 1,491	In general now is not the time to buy in Japan, the Yen is too strong. Late 2014 - Mid 2016 and again in early 2017 there were, in USD terms, fantastic buys in the grey market in Japan. I'm not sure that opportunity will come again any time soon. That said, in Tokyo at least, the grey market/used dealer inventory is superb. Everything you want, you just now have to pay up for it (which perhaps our local posters always had to do).

23 March 2018, 11:13 AM	#16
Grapenut 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Feb 2017 Location: IAH Watch: GMT(s) & Sub Posts: 290	For reference, in January Yodobashi Camera locations in Osaka and Akiba had Hulks at ‎roughly ¥120,000 and standard subs/GMT around ‎¥100,000.

23 March 2018, 11:22 AM	#18
teo "TRF" Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: amk Posts: 792	Just wonder in japan is it cheaper to buy a Tudor big block chronograph?

23 March 2018, 08:56 PM	#21
gregmoeck "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Maui Watch: Patek Posts: 2,032	Enjoy the food, that’s the main reason to visit japan

24 March 2018, 12:42 AM	#22
hype.e "TRF" Member Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 5	I was there 2 weeks ago. If you're going to Tokyo head into Nakano Broadway, it's a mall with a tone of grey market sellers. You can pretty much find anything there and you save 8% tax if you take your passport. Although there wasn't much vintage stock there.

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