Back from Japan...
So finally after some serious jet lag. I came to update you guys on some of my new watch purchases.
The first week was pretty much quiet in the small town of Takayama.
Then we landed in Kyoto which is not too far from Osaka. Finally my playground.
After a checking for the best deals. I found the first one:
IWC Mark XVIII
While many times I call IWC overprice at a bargain how can I say no? The only thing was the leather band was after market (original buckle) So I could not help myself and went to the IWC store to buy a band making my deal less of a deal but still happy.
Making it a better looking watch IMO.
Finally after couple of days of chilling and eating. I got to Tokyo. For more window shopping.
Decided to buy my King Seiko a much deserved leather band.
I have a pal from Japan that I talk to on IG for a while now he sells me some pieces every now and then. I told to stop by and he brough his friend he came with heat.
I decided to buy this vintage beauty from him:
After coffee and Udon he took me to a tiny unknown spot that sells camera equipment and have a small bin of watches just sitting there sold AS IS. Decided to snag this two pieces:
Now this the WTF moment. Nakano shopping center is the best spot for vintage toys and watches. You can't just go one day you have to go two times and literally go into every store and floor because you have no idea what you can find.
Finally just sitting there in mint condition for under 1,000 USD sold with no box no papers this speedy:
I had the chance to buy some god tier vintage watches but the watch was so new looking I could not skip it. I already put some scars going to Mount Fuji LOL.
Overall a great trip and experience to go to rural Japan. Especially many locals helping us get around with zero Japanese and yet very friendly once you break the ice.
I wish I can visit every year but the 11 hour plane ride triggers my anxiety I didn't even know I had LOL. Hopefully our economy is much better on my side and theirs I would hate to see many moms and pops shops close down.
Here a small photo dump:
Watch, watches, wristwatches
What a cool trip. It is great that you have friends like that.
What a cool trip. It is great that you have friends like that.
Thank you!. You can too just make an IG page and follow people that like watches and you never know who you can meet with the same passion of watches.
Nice my friend 👌hopefully get to go one day,what's the watch next to the bullhead in front of the watch roll,is it credor 🤔
Nice my friend 👌hopefully get to go one day,what's the watch next to the bullhead in front of the watch roll,is it credor 🤔
If you decide to go I can recommend some spots.
This is the watch:
Thank you my friend 👌thought if was that credor,been on my 🤔list 😂👍
Oh man what an incredible trip. Congratulations and thanks for sharing. Beautiful pictures. Beautiful watches.
Look at that view! Congrats!
Great trip and purchases, congrats. I also love Japan in general and for watches definitely Nakano Broadway, full of gems at extremely good pricing if you search a bit. Just look at the price of Breguet XXI you posted, it is a steal. Can't wait for next trip there, probably early 2025.
Truly awesome! Japan is such a beautiful country!
BTW, that "TV" cased Seiko you managed to snag is a STUNNER! Well done!
Love Japan, its a Gem !! Have been there twice and love aftermarket shops, people so educated and theres a lot of watch lovers. Really happy for you, great trip !!
Looks like you had a great trip. My wife & I are looking at booking a cruise that leaves from Tokyo next year. Will have to plan to arrive a day or two early to do some shopping at Nakano Broadway. I'm sure she will want to spend a day shopping for watches 🙄
This is a cool post. This is what I like to see.
Awesome trip and awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing.
@JJMM1983 legend. I guess we're all calling you "senpai" from now on👌👌👌
What a great trip and some fantastic scores! I would have taken a flyer on that Type XX!
I didn't see cookies! For some reason many business do not open on Wednesday. I had some delicious dessert.
Very tasty! I loved Japan and going to Fuji fulfilled a childhood dream.
My comment was in jest. I’m just trying to avoid more excessive watch shopping on my part.
Now I get it!!
What does your itinerary looks like?
For watches Nakano Broadway I would start:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jackroad/@35.7088819,139.66087,17z/data=!3m2!4b1!5s0x6018f2974cf916e3:0x4af9b47947e39d5f!4m6!3m5!1s0x6018f29749349cd1:0x2b38b39b82078987!8m2!3d35.7088776!4d139.6657409!16s%2Fg%2F1wk4d2mt?entry=ttu
Japan, 〒164-0001 Tokyo, Nakano City, Nakano, 5 Chome−52−15 3F
The plaza there can be overwhelming. You're from Cali so not sure if you ever visited a Swap Meet. basically is a scrambled shopping center. watch store here, restaurant next, pharmacy next, cafe next. I would also visit the toy stores some have very very vintage Seiko watches.
Ginza has also many shops. I would start Seiko Museum to get a warm up LOL.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/UnRRN6FN9Lw7pCed9
Close to the Seiko Tower there's many second hand shops there
https://maps.app.goo.gl/saCsPx7syaWWSRwU7
For Vintage I found these two store fronts in Ginza:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QedV2k9Mss6MFJp76
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kvgyzfurT8ftigca6
Let me know if you need more details.
Thanks a lot! Great post and what a haul.
Like @SpecKTator , I am also heading to Tokyo at the end of the month (cherry blossom season). I need to make sure to encourage my wife to buy something first so I have a clear lane to pick up a watch (not sure that I could pull as many as you did but fingers crossed).
Thanks a lot! Great post and what a haul.
Like @SpecKTator , I am also heading to Tokyo at the end of the month (cherry blossom season). I need to make sure to encourage my wife to buy something first so I have a clear lane to pick up a watch (not sure that I could pull as many as you did but fingers crossed).
Nice! With some planning I'm sure even few hours is good enough. I usually go to the extreme. If you are looking for more mall experience and brand new watches Ginza is pretty cool. Hit up the Seiko Museum (free) then around the block there's a Seiko store is a 5 minute walk from the museum.
They have some exclusives and if you have time left you can go beforehand to the second hand luxury shops:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/saCsPx7syaWWSRwU7
Nakano Broadway is a bit more crazy and you have no idea where to start or end.
Just don't forget your passport so you can get the Tax free prices. Anything over 50 bucks can be tax free but not all shops have it so you can ask. If you need me to pin point stores I can drop more info. I would recommend taking a watch roll inside your carry-on in case you buy a watch or decide to take two watches for your vacation. You can put the empty box inside your luggage but I don't trust TSA here. They broke my wife locks twice now nothing was taken out but still.
Thanks! Great advice (keep my passport on me and make sure to leave room for (empty) boxes). I may go a little to the extreme because my wife has already blocked off 2-3 days just for shopping including in Ginza where I was planning on hitting up the Seiko Museum and boutique at a minimum (I was leaning toward getting a Japanese watch but your haul is making me think twice).
Thanks again
Wow !! I now want to go to Japan 🇯🇵 even More Now !! Fantastic Watches , Beautiful scenery !
Wow !! I now want to go to Japan 🇯🇵 even More Now !! Fantastic Watches , Beautiful scenery !
Thank You! You should is a beautiful place especially outside the big cities.
Oh man I just see your amazing post for the first time! What a cool trip and such amazing information and pictures you have shared. Your post is saved for further investigation after work my friend. Thanks a million for sharing this lifetime experience 🙏
Oh man I just see your amazing post for the first time! What a cool trip and such amazing information and pictures you have shared. Your post is saved for further investigation after work my friend. Thanks a million for sharing this lifetime experience 🙏
No problem. If you have any questions about Japan and watch shopping you can always DM me!🍻
No problem. If you have any questions about Japan and watch shopping you can always DM me!🍻
Thanks Jose! I appreciate it!
Awesome post. Takayama is beautiful. I am glad to see the picture of Shirakawago at the end. What an experience.
Awesome post. Takayama is beautiful. I am glad to see the picture of Shirakawago at the end. What an experience.
Thanks! Your night photo that's Kyoto isn't it? I wanted to go early morning or late night to takes some photos but by the time we got back to the hotel around 9pm we were completely defeated and drained lol.
Thanks! Your night photo that's Kyoto isn't it? I wanted to go early morning or late night to takes some photos but by the time we got back to the hotel around 9pm we were completely defeated and drained lol.
Yes, it is in Kyoto. Next time you go you can take some photos.
Yes, it is in Kyoto. Next time you go you can take some photos.
I'm trying to brain wash myself to travel to another country like Italy or Germany but I keep coming back to Japan.
I'm trying to brain wash myself to travel to another country like Italy or Germany but I keep coming back to Japan.
Yeah I would just go back to Japan myself.