Hong Kong Watch-Hopping

[broham84]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

Go into a grey in the US and they would have similar selection. There are just more greys in Hong Kong and the place is a lot smaller, so visiting a grey can just be on another floor in a commercial building or next door.

A lot seems to focus on just the SS sports. Did you see all the other crap models they hold onto? Yes that came in a package.

No chance. You have not seen some of the large grays in HK.

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by broham84

No chance. You have not seen some of the large grays in HK.

I've seen them. They're all represented at the Watch Fair that's held every 3 months in the basement of Holiday Inn in Tsim Sha Tsui.

They all hold crappy stock. The only guys I suspect who doesn't trade in Rolex are the ones who only hold 100K+ watches (tables with 20 Richard Mille's only or Pateks only).

And when I refer to a grey in the US it's the same ones listed on Chrono24. Essential Watches, Avi, etc. They hold a lot of stock.

[broham84]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

I've seen them. They're all represented at the Watch Fair that's held every 3 months in the basement of Holiday Inn in Tsim Sha Tsui.

They all hold crappy stock. The only guys I suspect who doesn't trade in Rolex are the ones who only hold 100K+ watches (tables with 20 Richard Mille's only or Pateks only).

And when I refer to a grey in the US it's the same ones listed on Chrono24. Essential Watches, Avi, etc. They hold a lot of stock.

Not to name the dealer, I’ve seen an inventory that consists of no less than 20 500C and 100 plus 6 digit SS sub and GMT IIs in their coffins, not to mention used and vintages.

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by broham84

Not to name the dealer, I’ve seen an inventory that consists of no less than 20 500C and 100 plus SS sub and GMT IIs.

Yep I don't doubt that, but they didn't just get all these SS at MSRP as many would assume in here. Everything adds up when you take on pearlmasters, datejusts, DDs with diamond bezels etc. OR they paid the AD close to market price on the mark-up.

[broham84]

Originally Posted by WatchLurv

Yep I don't doubt that, but they didn't just get all these SS at MSRP as many would assume in here. Everything adds up when you take on pearlmasters, datejusts, DDs with diamond bezels etc. OR they paid the AD close to market price on the mark-up.

Yes, you’re right. They take on lots which include all models. Word on the street is that they are connected with Hengdeli...

[WatchLurv]

Originally Posted by broham84

Yes, you’re right. They take on lots which include all models. Word on the street is that they are connected with Hengdeli...

They all have their own connections. Just a matter of how good they maintain that. I've heard same rumours of some greys being a "right hand" to their own shops in order to create "numbers" on both sides (double up on their bottomline without having to do anything).

Greys are the garbagemen of the horology world. Rich garbagemen but they certainly act to pick up all the stuff ADs can't get rid of and then we get impressed with their 20 Batmans on display and think they all got it at retail and now extorting us for a 75% mark-up because they "took" all the stock Reality is different, but these threads keep popping up, so the education continues.

[brandrea]

That’s pretty amazing

[beshannon]

Thanks for the images.

These should be linked every time someone posts that there is a "shortage" of watches.

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

This is global. Watches from all over the world end up here.

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and watches from there end up here sometimes. I brought my NIB OP 39 from a grey here in Japan that had been sourced from a Hong Kong AD.


888

[crownprince]

Originally Posted by MinMay

why not...I just book a flight to check them out. Can they be trusted? Who knows if it's fake movement....

Isn't Asia the king of replicas?

Hong Kong is the biggest watch market in the world! Bigger than the USA and it only has $7.2 million people. The Hong Kong Stock exchange is the 5 largest in the world in terms of market cap. They are even bigger than Euronext and the London Stock exchange.

[crownprince]

Originally Posted by broham84

Not to name the dealer, I’ve seen an inventory that consists of no less than 20 500C and 100 plus 6 digit SS sub and GMT IIs in their coffins, not to mention used and vintages.

Do you know when is the next World Fair meeting at TST Holiday Inn? Thanks in advance.

[bondtoys]

Originally Posted by Al1969

Wow! Rolex watches wrapped in plastic, yeah that just “screams” exclusivity.

Asian people prefer their watches ‚untouched‘ and don‘t want watches that dozens of other customers touched.
Plus no damages during storage/display/removal for the night.

If you think about it for a while, it makes sense.

[supernova]

Always negotiate prices at greys, at least 10% off sticker price, even on the hard to get SS models. I bought a absolute mint unpolished 2011 G serial polar 16570 with B&P last year for 10% off sticker at $44k HKD (~$5.5k USD) last year so there are some bargains if you hunt! HK is easily one of the best places for watch eye candy.



Friend also got a brand new stickered BLRO SS last year for $125k HKD, down from $150k HKD sticker price!

They have high sticker prices to chance a sucker comes in and purchases without questions. And we all know there is a sucker born every minute!

[Al1969]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Thanks for the images.

These should be linked every time someone posts that there is a "shortage" of watches.

X2.

[R!$]

decent selection but terrible prices

[testrak]

I was there in February. Didn't bother to step into the ADs but saw these at a Grey dealer.

[Golden Ellipse]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

Plus money spent on GS is less for Rolex.

Money spent on Rolex is less for GS

[delboylee]

Originally Posted by testrak

I was there in February. Didn't bother to step into the ADs but saw these at a Grey dealer.

Lots of watches from greys in hk. Funny how the 888 serials are a selling point too!! My Daytona c black has one ‘8’ in it. Is it worth more?

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by delboylee

Lots of watches from greys in hk. Funny how the 888 serials are a selling point too!! My Daytona c black has one ‘8’ in it. Is it worth more?

888 is the Rolex country code for Hong Kong. Those stickers are just showing that the watches are from local ADs, not overseas.

[delboylee]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

888 is the Rolex country code for Hong Kong. Those stickers are just showing that the watches are from local ADs, not overseas.

Ahhh understood. I’m learning :) thanks

[Wrist King]

The secondary market is legit in HK. If its v cheap dont bother, but above retail price with box and paper and it is unlikely to be a fake.

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[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by delboylee

Ahhh understood. I’m learning :) thanks

No problem

[nuts070]

I wonder how I can get the good graces of one of the ADs there, I have a supposedly VIP card from one of them having bought jewelries for my wife and mom. (I know, there are gazillions who have these cards at hk)

[JohnTz]

Great pictures but that would be the last place I would buy a watch for numerous reasons.

[kashkin]

Great pictures! Thank you for sharing. Makes me want to go to Honkers.

[Hoodoo]

Are they selling by the lbs???

[TheDude]

Look on YouTube. There’s a very recent video of a guy going through shops in Japan with the same level of stock and similar prices.


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[jimcameron]

Originally Posted by Pete17

X2

Rolex need to stop ignoring the traditional markets.


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Such a noble company, or such money hungry whores. Time will tell.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

This is global. Watches from all over the world end up here.

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Takes about 72 hours from an AD sale in Europe to the watch sitting in one of these windows. I’ve done it once but think I’ll try different route for next round.

[InitialAndPitch]

Originally Posted by Wrist King

The secondary market is legit in HK. If its v cheap dont bother, but above retail price with box and paper and it is unlikely to be a fake.

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I took mine into an AD with the papers after buying grey in TST and all good. There are clear examples of dodgy sellers though. I also paid with a credit card as they’ll step in for you.