buying a luxury watch in Japan

IrishHomer · 05-02-2026 12:20AM #1

Would I save money by flying to Japan to buy a Tudor or a Rolex watch please?

I think a return flight can be got for under €900

3DataModem · 05-02-2026 06:21AM

Second hand stuff is cheaper than Ireland and reliable providence AND you get tax back AND the exchange rate is good at the moment (I believe).

So if you have a 20k+ watch in mind it might be a good idea, depending on how much you value your time.

Esel · 05-02-2026 07:13AM

the exchange rate is good at the moment (I believe).

Yes, the Euro will get you12.5% more Yen than this time last year.

H_Lime · 05-02-2026 11:20AM

What a holiday that would be.

Cyclingtourist · 05-02-2026 11:59AM

If it's just a new Tudor you're after I'd try Tenerife. Luxury watch brand ADs on the Golden Mile in Playa Las Americas. Check if they have what you want in stock, fly over and ask for a discount. Maybe send the box and papers home separately. With it on your wrist there's little chance of being caught at airport customs.

Lot less expensive than flying to Japan and you could have a week's winter holiday for the same money.

Charlie 22 · 05-02-2026 03:53PM

You'll save a nice bit if buying new from either a grey market seller or their boutique.

For the boutique look on the tudor website via a Japanese VPN take this figure in yen and subtract ~10% for tax free and thats your final price approx. You'll get full 5 year warranty this way and maybe more re-assurance. Black bay GMT list price for example is 710,000 yen → ~640,000 tax free ~ 3500 euro. List price is 4600 in Ireland, I think?

For grey market dealers look at JackRoad and also Kamekichi stores, they have websites and you'll see the tax free amount and that is how much you'll pay. This watch might even go down to 500,000 yen tax free as its and older model. If you want a newer more desirable tudor either it may not be stocked or its price will be very close to boutique and then you may aswell go there.

Rolex I don't know, its a global market for those and bargains may be hard to come by.

If Omega interests you then you'll save an awful lot more than 900 for some models like seamaster diver 300m in certain configs. If you are in japan anyway with work or leisure then picking up a watch is a nice bonus but actually saving enough to cover your flight is challenging.

Pablo_Flox · 05-02-2026 04:06PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124207574#Comment_124207574

There would be no customs owed on any watch purchased in Tenerife.

Cyclingtourist · 05-02-2026 04:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124208452#Comment_124208452

While part of Spain the Canary Islands are outside the EU Vat area so technically you would be liable for 23% Vat and if the watch is worth over the €430 allowance, almost a certainty, you could also be liable to pay duty.

C0N0R · 05-02-2026 05:32PM

In Tokyo for 2/3 nights in May and am very tempted to try pick up a titanium seamaster if anyone has any recommendations much appreciated.

Charlie 22 · 06-02-2026 11:33AM

I've no idea if this is a deal or not and I've never bought from here but this shop in Nakano Tokyo has one, their site is good to browse: https://www.kame-kichi.com/items/51526

C0N0R · 06-02-2026 04:37PM

thanks, similar pricing to what I’ve seen on chrono24. See I can get it in Dubai for a similar price too so not a complete bargain.

buying a luxury watch in Japan

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