Buying a GMT-Master II or Submariner Date in Tokyo, Japan

[chewsta]

Originally Posted by Azure Chicken

Cheers! I hope so too, but trying to find any SS models, much less a specific ref at a Japanese AD these days...well, needle, haystack, etc.

I have a feeling this is not specific to Japan, but everywhere. Here in Perth, the only SS sport model I saw in stock at the AD is the black dial DSSD. All the others are TT or precious metals. Small discounts can be had on these but not the SS models.

They have 3 Black dial Daytonas on order for customers and apparently are not taking anymore orders for them . And according to the Rep the two cheapest places to buy a Rolex is either Japan or Australia. At least for me after conversion it is no cheaper buying anywhere else other than Japan.

They have also already sold one of the new OP 39mm ref 114300 which was just released at Basel World.

[Park423]

I was in Japan on family vacation back in December and started hear about how cheap some luxury items were due to the favorable exchange rate with the dollar (120y to a dollar at the time), so I went "browsing" at the Rolex AD's in the various dept stores in Osaka (never checked while in Tokyo) and after doing some math (8% tax back-minus 1.1% dept store fee + 5% foreigner discount + great exchange rate), couldn't believe the deal for a SS sport watch. Unfortunately, the only watch I could find was the Explorer II 42mm, I already have an Explorer II 40mm and wasn't interested, I was looking for a Sub date or GMT. Visited or called every Rolex AD in Osaka and no luck. Finally, my wife cold-called one at the Daimaru AD in Kyoto and they said they had a Sub date in stock!!!!! Asked them to hold it for us as we would be there in an hour. Arrived at the store, the clerk had put it away for us (doubt an AD in the US would that with just a random phone call buyer) and I was beyond thrilled to see the Sub.

Bottom line ~$6,000 all-in for the Sub date.

Now the prices are 8% higher and my sister-in-law is in Japan at the moment and Daimaru is no longer giving the 5% foreigner discount on Rolex and hasn't seen a SS GMT or Sub yet. I asked her to buy a SS Daytona on the spot for me if she can find one...no luck but has seen several two-tone ones.

At the current 124y exchange rate, offsets the 8% price increase and loss of the 5% foreigner discount a little - if you can find one, buy it on the spot.

Also checked out Quark in Osaka after I bought my Sub, their price was higher for the Sub. They did have plenty of SS Daytona's.

[hchj]

Originally Posted by acaixguard

Greetings! I will be going to Tokyo, Japan in August. From what I've gathered, now seems like a good time to pick up a Rolex in Japan due to how weak the Yen is compared to the dollar. If that is the case, I would like to pick up a GMT-Master II (116710LN) or the Submariner date (116610), both in stainless steel with black dial & bezel. Slight preference for the GMT-Master, only because it's a tad cheaper and there isn't anything I love more about the Sub that I want to pay extra for. However, I would be perfectly happy with either.

For those who are familiar with dealers in Tokyo, are there particular dealers I should check out first? And is it beneficial to bring someone who can speak Japanese when purchasing?

As for inventory, how hard is it to find either a GMT-Master 116710LN or Submariner date in black in Tokyo? I read in another post that the GMT-Masters are hard to find, but is that the case with the Subs too? Also, are they typically going for MSRP from dealers that do have either in stock?

Thanks in advance for your help!

Grey dealers such as Kame Kichi and Jack Road price popular rolex sports models higher than Japanese ADs.
I suggest go to ADs to try your luck. I bought my Hulk at ¥860000 from an AD in Machida, a satellite city of tokyo. When i was there, i saw 2 GMT 116710LN in both shinjuku and machida Odakyu. It saves u a lot if u buy in Japanese ADs. Good luck!

[hchj]

Originally Posted by acaixguard

So my uncle made a visit to Daimaru for me, and had some not so promising info he passed along.

While they do have what I want in stock, they told him the 5% discount card for foreigners doesn't apply to watches (WTF?). Then, they told him that for the tax refund, they only give back 6.9%, and they hold 1.1% as a handling fee (bigger WTF???). Isn't that not even legal? He may make some inquiries about that one, cause that really sounds wrong to him.
On top of that, when he asked if it's possible to hold the watch with a deposit, they said maybe if it's paid in full. Forget that.

He will try some other ADs next for me.

I didn't get 5% discount at the Odakyu dept store but i didn't pay the 1.1% fee. They returned the full 8% tax.

By the way, it is normal for companies to charge processing fees. It happens in most of the countries

[acaixguard]

I made a call to Lexia and they do have the Sea-Dweller 4000 in stock. No such luck with the Sub, GMT, and of course the Daytona. I asked about the possibility of leaving a deposit to hold, and that's pretty much out of the question. The salesman there said it's not possible with any of the sport models. I have a feeling that this is going to be the case from any AD. Most likely I'll have to make my calls in August.

Is the Sea-Dweller much less popular than the other SS sport models? It seems like a few ADs have them in stock, but haven't found the others yet.

[acaixguard]

So my uncle visited Takashimaya for me. He confirmed they still offer the 5% discount card to foreigners along with the 8% tax refund. However, they are completely out of stock on the SD and SubC. They told him they get about 20 calls per day about those watches, and that they get probably one of each per month only. They absolutely will not place one on hold. Not even for an hour, and not even with a deposit. First come first serve.

So seems like there isn't much anyone can do for me until I am actually there. My uncle offered to buy it for me and let me pay him back, but then I'd lose out on any refunds since he's a resident in Japan.

Hopefully the grey dealers like Housekihiroba and JackRoad continue to keep getting them in regularly, so I can always go there as a last resort.

[ADINVA]

It is really a matter of luck. There are so many tourists in Japan scouting for the popular rolex SS sports models. I visited all except one AD in Tokyo and did not find any GMT, SubC or Daytona.

[Nsx_23]

Seems jack road offers pretty good prices on IWC and JLC. Hows availability for other brands?

[Nsx_23]

So I ended up visiting Jack road, and whilst they had some good stuff in stock the prices were definitely a little bit higher than the retail price. The gmtc was only a little bit above retail so that wasn't too bad, but the Daytona was going for stupid money, especially second hand ones. At those prices you may as well buy the brand new ones they had in stock (They only had new white dials in stock). SubC LV, gmtc ln/blnr, milgausd and DSSD stock levels weren't bad.

Second hand rolexes prices weren't bad and they had a good selection of stuff in stock. Their prices for other brands like Omega, IWC and JLC weren't bad. There wasn't much vintage stuff available though.

[acaixguard]

Update on this thread. I ended up getting the 116600 from Lexia in Ginza! Very happy with the purchase!

Detailed here...
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=428651

Thanks to everyone here who helped me with info about dealers in Tokyo!

[bbressler]

Congrats!!! SD4K is a great choice, glad you found one. Enjoy the rest of your trip

[speedneed2]

Hello all,
I've been a reader/ lurker here for a while and wanted to contribute some more info back since this forum has been instrumental in helping me procure my first Rolex. acaixgiard, thanks for sharing your info, I had the same questions and this thread was super helpful to understand the purchasing situation in Tokyo.

I just returned from a trip to Japan (Tokyo only) and Seoul, Korea with the hopes of locating either a stainless steel submariner date or a GMT Master II. A few weeks before the trip, I called every AD in both cities who kindly reported to me that they have neither in stock and haven't had one available for quite a while. Some kindly laughed that I was crazy to find a SS GMT or SubD anywhere. Hopes were dwindling...

Apparently the demand in Asia is extremely high right now and it is still super rare to find any sport watch in stock at any AD. Fast forward to the week of my trip, I called again with the same results.

Based on the current exchange rate and MSRPs, the cheaper of the two places to purchase was without a doubt Tokyo so I focused my purchase on that part of the trip. With no ADs in stock, I carefully considered the grey stores. I took a trip to Jack Road and located the one - 116710LN.

In stock and listed for about ~300US over MSRP. Even so with the JPY exchange rate, the deal was too good to pass on. The service as described by others was excellent, watch was brand new in box with all documentation and they accepted all credit cards. Their selection was amazing. I chose Jack Road primarily for their great reviews here but also because they offered the same price for cash or credit. Other vendors quoted prices in cash with an extra charge for credit. The small price premium compared to their competitors was worth it to me for the ease of not withdrawing yen as well as for the credit card purchase protection should something happen to it on my trip.

In short, if you're in the market for a new sport watch, Japan is currently the cheapest country to purchase in Asia with USD. Availability at ADs is scarce but they will give you the best price of they have it. For a small amount over MSRP, you can still get a great deal with trusted dealers with USD.

I enjoyed the search and visit at all the Tokyo ADs but if your time is limited, call for availability and have Jack Road as a solid backup.

[k8wt]

Well done :) What exactly are 'grey' watches though!?

[acaixguard]

Congrats! I didn't get a chance to visit Jack Road, but hopefully will in a future trip there. Did you get to visit any other watch stores in Tokyo?

[speedneed2]

I passed the other store in the same building as Jack Road but didn't have time to stop in. (Both stores are in the same nondescript building which is pretty far out of Tokyo)

Their selection looked amazing as well. I did stop by a few of the ADs in Ginza - each of their sport displays were basically empty except for a few high end gold editions. All other inventory looked on par to what I've found in the US.


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[JCLerit]

So Im going to Japan for christmas and new years. Anyone know how much 114060 and/or blnr in AD or in greys?

For jackroad and such, it says in the website its tax free already so no more of that 8% less 1.1% debate? Can you still negotiate further discounts?

[Simon29]

I'm traveling to Japan next year in May as well and will be looking to see if any stores have stock of the SubC no date (114060).

I did contact on AD and they advised the RRP after tax back was 710,000JPY, but that stock is hard to come by.

For those who have bought from Japan, is it still the case that on top of the tax free price, some department stores will give a further 5% discount?

[rollee1]

Rolex shopping in Japan is a joy, you need to visit each AD as they restock daily. It is by chance coming across your favourite model which makes the experience so enjoyable (or tiring).

The tax rebate is 8% but most stores levy a 1.1% service charge, however there are stores that does not levy a service charge, and they are like a needle in a haystack. At the time you find the store, but the model is out of stock.

Last month on another Rolex forum, a member by chance came a cross a black Daytona 116520 in Lexia Ginza for ¥1,150,000 = USD$9300.
After the sales lady told him the price while still holding the watch; in his words "I automatically handed over my passport and credit card."