Tokyo - what's the deal today?

[dera]

Going to Tokyo in a few days - what's the latest WIS gossip there on 2nd hand watch shopping?
Quark still overpriced?
Any experience with Moonphase?

I'm considering a 16570 Polar, what would be a good price today for one?

It's been a year since my last trip, any help much appreciated :)

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by dera

Going to Tokyo in a few days - what's the latest WIS gossip there on 2nd hand watch shopping?
Quark still overpriced?
Any experience with Moonphase?

I'm considering a 16570 Polar, what would be a good price today for one?

It's been a year since my last trip, any help much appreciated :)

Quark will negotiate with you. Sometimes a lot depending on the model . I found the best prices cash or credit card to be at Housekihiroba.

Jack Road and Kamekichi are must look and sees though. Great prices but are pretty much non negotiable. Depending on model again. Date just yea. Steel Sub most likely not.

With the weak Yen lots of foreigners are walking in, not negotiating and just dropping cash which may weaken any bargaining position you have.

Bring your passport to get the tax/duty free savings of 8 or maybe now 10%.

Good luck! Watch shopping in Tokyo is awesome !

[Otto]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Quark will negotiate with you. Sometimes a lot depending on the model . I found the best prices cash or credit card to be at Housekihiroba.

Jack Road and Kamekichi are must look and sees though. Great prices but are pretty much non negotiable. Depending on model again. Date just yea. Steel Sub most likely not.

With the weak Yen lots of foreigners are walking in, not negotiating and just dropping cash which may weaken any bargaining position you have.

Bring your passport to get the tax/duty free savings of 8 or maybe now 10%.

Good luck! Watch shopping in Tokyo is awesome !

What Tom said! And Housekihiroba has a new showroom and it's on the third floor.

[redhotmurc333]

Gaijin is exactly correct and all those stores are must places to go~ Tokyo has some of the cleanest used watches... the only thing is the prices are quite high even with the current weaker yen rates as Vintage Rolex collectibles are very sought after in Japan~ But on the other hand Japan has the lowest prices for Omegas that I have seen anywhere... Oops kinda went off the subject... anyways Have fun in Tokyo! Its a cool place!

[Speed]

Echoing Gaijin and Otto. Had the pleasure of a meet up with Otto at Jack Road several years ago.

The used and vintage watches are extremely clean overall. Original owners there seem to take great care of their watches - if I can generalize.

When I return to Japan I will definitely go to Jack Road...hope I go home with something. Last time I got a watch for my wife.

[dogpawss]

As Gaijin and others mentioned, Jack Road and Kamekichi are must see but expect no discount based on my experience with them. Moonphase has been moved to new location in Ginza which is only a few blocks from their previous location and their prices are good too. However selection wise Jack Road in Nakano broadway has the largest and you will also find Daikokuya and other small grey dealers in this shopping mall kinda place.

Once you get to Nakano by train which is approximately 30 min from Tokyo, just ask for Nakano broadway. Its 10 minutes walk from the station.

[acaixguard]

As others said, negotiating in Japan, especially these days, it not likely to be successful. That said, the Yen's position can still get you a good price.
Also, Japan is a very service oriented country. Here in the states, you may get some grumpy salespeople who don't want to help you unless you are actually buying. Plus have to run the risk of blatant dishonesty, particularly with anything used. You won't get that in Japan!

[Gaijin]

How is the trip going? Any update?

[dera]

So, last day here, thanks everyone for the tips. The Rolex prices I saw were all insane, so didn't buy one. I did find a great deal on a NOS Speedmaster 3570.50 which I did buy (~2500USD). As a general trend, I'd say finding a good deal on a Rolex is not easy (especially new when I'm used to European VAT free pricing), but non-Rolex watches are very reasonable. Another brand worth looking for is IWC, very reasonable prices, especially new at grey market dealers.

Some stores are worth a visit just to see the stock, the Quark in Ginza has pretty impressive vintage shelf, with a Comex Sub, 3 Paul Newmans etc...

Then again - after dining rather well twice a day for 3 days, I think I'm technically bankrupt, so time to head home and start saving up for the next trip :)

Love this city.

[dogpawss]

Originally Posted by dera

So, last day here, thanks everyone for the tips. The Rolex prices I saw were all insane, so didn't buy one. I did find a great deal on a NOS Speedmaster 3570.50 which I did buy (~2500USD). As a general trend, I'd say finding a good deal on a Rolex is not easy (especially new when I'm used to European VAT free pricing), but non-Rolex watches are very reasonable. Another brand worth looking for is IWC, very reasonable prices, especially new at grey market dealers.

Some stores are worth a visit just to see the stock, the Quark in Ginza has pretty impressive vintage shelf, with a Comex Sub, 3 Paul Newmans etc...

Then again - after dining rather well twice a day for 3 days, I think I'm technically bankrupt, so time to head home and start saving up for the next trip :)

Love this city.

I was at the Quark yesterday too and saw one PN sold and another one on hold. Since this store is very close from my house, I frequently visit.

Anyway I suppose you didn't have time to check out Jack Road in Nakano. The insane prices you referred is I assume stores like Evance in Ginza where the prices are not as competitive. There are few ADs in Ginza but those SS popular models are extremely rare to find since these stores became favored by the tourists.

[Mr. K]

Sounds like a great trip, post pics if you can. I miss Tokyo. Think of that city at least a couple times a week.

[dera]

Originally Posted by dogpawss

I was at the Quark yesterday too and saw one PN sold and another one on hold. Since this store is very close from my house, I frequently visit.

Anyway I suppose you didn't have time to check out Jack Road in Nakano. The insane prices you referred is I assume stores like Evance in Ginza where the prices are not as competitive. There are few ADs in Ginza but those SS popular models are extremely rare to find since these stores became favored by the tourists.

Hehe the Evance was downright ridiculous, 1,7mil for a SS Daytona...

Problem with Rolex prices is, that when a new SS Sub Date costs just over 6000USD in Europe, there aren't many places in the world that can compete with that. I didn't have time to go to Jack Road this time, but that's a must on my next trip over during thanksgiving. I hope to do more shopping then, unless - again - I spend all my money on kobe beef and sushi!

[madmax21]

Hi guys I see that you can getting an SS Daytona for 6000 US and Europe where about I'm planning to visit Rome in the next month or two I don't have an issue visiting another major city in Europe to pick one up

[dera]

Sub Date, not a Daytona!

[Arjan93]

I've had a good experience with Dakoya (Or dakokuya) in Shinjuku, had some nice deals. Also Komehyo in Shinjuku is where i bought my speedmaster, misses was also pleased since they have a big clothing department.. with.. You guessed it... Jimmy chop's... It was a long day. Love Tokyo!
Any pics of your new speedy?

[MahdiyaDad]

I am headed to Tokyo in a couple of weeks for the MotorShow. Was hoping that you'd find a nice treasure trove of Polar explorers cause I was looking for one too haha congrats on the speedy. Just curious how much were these insane asking prices you mentioned?

[Perrinyanna]

where is jack road located? and how do you go there been to tokyo twice and only visited daikokuya and komehyo..going again this end of the month..il try my luck this time on a GMT pepsi

[Gaijin]

Originally Posted by Perrinyanna

where is jack road located? and how do you go there been to tokyo twice and only visited daikokuya and komehyo..going again this end of the month..il try my luck this time on a GMT pepsi

Nakano station . Walk down the walking mall to the end where you enter a building. I think it's on the 3rd floor.

[Wisher]

As mentioned, go to Nakano Station and go out the North Exit. Go to the arcade shopping mall called the Broadway Plaza. Keep going way through a ways until you enter another building and spot the Daikokuya watch shop on the 1st floor (worth a visit., might get discount) to the left of the escalator, which goes directly to the 3rd floor where you will find Jack Road, Kamekichi and a few smaller stores that might discount but have smaller selection. Nakano is worth a visit.
Also as mentioned worth a visit are Housekihiroba in Shibuya, as well as Komehyo in several locations around Tokyo in Ginza, Shibuya, with Shinjuku store the biggest.

[Bigbig]

Anyone knows the latest price for 116613LB?

Thks!

[zapokee]

Houseki Hiroba in Shibuya, Tokyo, is supreme for new and used Rolex/Tudor and other high-end watches. For vintage, head to Jack Road. Avoid Corleone in Harajuku - poor knowledge of their stock and some questionable pieces in my experience.

[jumper]

Is Corleone on "Cat" street? I saw a vintage watch shop, 2nd floor, more or less specializing in vintage Rolexes. I felt the prices were kind of high but had interesting watches on display.

[Mezz72]

yes corleone is there. I happened to bump into that shop not knowing that it was there. nice vintage but like what jumper said, prices are on the high side.

[Valv]

Would you guys have an idea on a Rolex datejust 34 steel (no diamonds) price? Going to tokyo next week! :)

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by madmax21

Hi guys I see that you can getting an SS Daytona for 6000 US and Europe where about I'm planning to visit Rome in the next month or two I don't have an issue visiting another major city in Europe to pick one up

$6000 for a Daytona?

[dogpawss]

Originally Posted by Gaijin

Nakano station . Walk down the walking mall to the end where you enter a building. I think it's on the 3rd floor.

You right. All the must see stores on the 3rd floor!!!

[JCLerit]

Can vouch for jackoad, got my sub nd and blnr there bnib last christmas. No negotiating on price, although i managed to get free gshock watches instead haha.

My regret though was i was not able to check out housekihiroba. Based on the prices listed on their website, less 8% for tax refund, i think they are a bit cheaper.

[ALIWATCH]

quick question for the Japanese experts

Do You think I Can get a discount on a Explorer II/ Explorer I/ Milgaus? at Housekihiroba. If so what percentage % off from asking price you think I can get. I understand negotiating skills play a part but what would be a ball park estimate. Are these popular watches in Japan not so much for the U.S. market compared to the subs and BLNR.

Also does anybody have any experience with the store zetton.

[Gaijin]

Housekihiroba thier prices are pretty much what you see is what you get. They are already low. Worth a shot negotiating , I mean why not. Keep in mind two things. Foreigners are walking in and paying cash for multiple watches sometimes. Second, I gave no idea why but on the span of less than a week the US Dollar has gone from 121 to 114.

[bmrisko]

Is Komehyo in Shinjuku worth a visit? What about Lemonsha in Ginza? It has been almost 2 years since I was in Tokyo and we will be heading back at the end of the month so I can burn some AA miles on JAL F before the devaluation. Last time we hit up Jack Road, Kamekichi, Housekihiroba, a lot of the "camera" dept. stores and Watch Dot. I walked away empty handed, but my wife scored a killer deal on a 37.5mm PO chrono.