Anyone buy new watch (Omega, Grand Seiko, Rolex) in Japan?

TheIrishGrover

I plan on visiting Japan in March 2025. Currently great exchange rate (Approx 170 JPY to Euro), I am looking to spend approx 5K Euro (850000-1000,000 Yen). Any recommendations? I like a smaller watch. Not big into large chunky watches. Would like to walk in-walk out with a watch (Maybe a few days to order one in) and would like a new watch. Anyone got experience with buying one there? Not sure of my flight patch yet so don't know which airport Duty Frees I'd hit but in Japan I'd be mainly in Tokyo and know my way around

TheIrishGrover

I should say "UP TO APPROX 5K" :)

ironictoaster

Tokyo has a large Swiss luxury grey market scene. Google Nakano Broadway Tokyo Watches. Jackroad is one of the most well established dealers there. Will be buying there in October.

https://www.jackroad.co.jp/shop/default.aspx

TheIrishGrover

Yeah, that keeps popping up. Must give it a look. Cheers

Edit: Oh, I didn't see that link. Thanks

TheDamIrish

Grand Seiko is my suggestion - you can also browse/buy from Amazon Japan and have it delivered to your hotel.

TheIrishGrover

Yeah, I know there is some trade agreement with Switzerland and Japan which reduces prices and with the great exchange rate, I wanted to cash in on that. :)

Charlie 22

Just bought a watch there: Tudor Black bay 39 got about 25% off compared to irish prices at the Tudor boutique, probably Tudor is a little cheap for your budget but the store in Ginza was easy to deal with.

In Ginza you should visit the boutiques like Omega, Grand Seiko etc. also around there are some independent stores but their prices are probably a little higher than Nakano where you have: Jackroad and also Kame Kichi and Renzu among many others. Look on their websites for ideas on prices and make a spreadsheet. Note that some models will be a lot cheaper than boutique prices and others not so much. Make sure to use Tax free price. Prices for boutiques you'll need a VPN for Japan. I bought in a boutique since I wasn't saving much going to Nakano and I had the full warranty from date of sale.

Also check out don quijote and Bic camera which are large discount stores that stock all kinds of things. Particularly I noticed Omega models can be cheap there, I saw a brand new SMP 300 blue for 600k Yen tax free which was cheaper than Nakano prices but not by much. These stores have sales too and you can be lucky. They may also stock Grand Seiko etc. Best of luck and make sure to bring your passport everywhere for tax free

TheIrishGrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122357983#Comment_122357983

In Ginza you should visit the boutiques like Omega, Grand Seiko etc. 

That's for sure :) Closest I can afford for anything in Ginza is a ticket on the Ginza LINE. lol

Yeah, I've been to Tokyo a few times but have only recently thought about buying a decent watch (Now that I'm an auld lad). For all the times I've been to Yodabashi and Bic Camera places, I always passed by the watch sections (Usually on my way up to the hobby sections). (There's a fine Yodabashi where I usually stay in Ueno). And yeah, I made the mistake before of NOT bringing my passport….. Ghibli sh*t can be EXPENSIVE :D

170+ Yen to the Euro at the moment. Insane!!!

Charlie 22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122357994#Comment_122357994

I liked going to the stores in Ginza because they are all in walking distance. Even ones from the Swatch group are under one roof. Great for browsing - even pieces you can't afford.

TheIrishGrover

I'm leaning more towards Grand Seiko. Some beautiful dials there (I have a small wrist so don't want a huge chunky diver watch or anything. Something quite slim that I don't want to be constantly on display)

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122366445#Comment_122366445

GS not known for being slim.

TheIrishGrover

Interesting. Thanks. Will check them out

ordinaryfella

This place is good for vintage pieces if that would interest you: https://firekids.jp/

H_Lime

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122373019#Comment_122373019

Ding dong! https://firekids.jp/products/seiko-5%E3%82%B9%E3%83%9D%E3%83%BC%E3%83%84-%E3%82%B9%E3%83%94%E3%83%BC%E3%83%89%E3%82%BF%E3%82%A4%E3%83%9E%E3%83%BC

Fatbiker

Coincidentally, I have a close relative who's planning to visit Japan next year and is talking about, for example, an Omega Speedmaster for €5k which would be about €10k here. Is this feasible and what are the pitfalls to watch out for? Customs for one, I guess! 😅

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122385058#Comment_122385058

customs, but also its presumably used at that price, a used speedmaster here is a lot closer to 5k than 10k, only a mad man would pay retail on one.

Rowley Birkin QC

Subscribed. Heading to Japan in December and eyeing up a used Speedmaster so I'm keen to hear feedback here.

Can't see customs being an issue if it's on your wrist on the way home?

Cyrus

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122607861#Comment_122607861

youd have to be unlucky.

893bet

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122607861#Comment_122607861

post the box home separately.

Post the warranty cards home separately

wear the watch.

quattro777

If you buy a 5k watch online from Japan via Chrono24 what % extra do yo pay in duty and vat?

Deep Thought

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122615949#Comment_122615949

I think and other lads will know better

It’s 23% on the total cost and the shipping .

So if watch is €5K and shipping €200

It’s 23% of €5200

But I could be wrong.

fulladapipes

You'll pay VAT on the cost of buying the watch if you bought it in Ireland. That will be on top of customs duty (which varies depending on the type of product) and shipping. The Revenue website gives examples.

scwazrh

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122615949#Comment_122615949

https://www.simplyduty.com/import-calculator/

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