Ever come across a deal you could not refuse?
So once in a while, I would just window shop here in Tokyo/Yokohama as there are still a few vintage pieces that I’m looking for.
Sometimes I will come across some gems in terms of value. One time I came across a Grand Seiko SBGA465.
It was a used piece but in very good condition, priced at ¥380,000/USD$2,600/SGD$3,500.
In hindsight, I still regret not pulling the trigger on this. It's a really good price for a Grand Seiko with a spring drive movement. There have been others that I have let slip but this is just one example that I probably regret the most.
There are a few places in Tokyo that are excellent for watch shopping. E.g Nakano Broadway, Dogenzaka, Ginza, and Shinjuku are the usual suspects. However today I found a great deal at a very unlikely place.
Today, while I was out on a business meeting, I stopped by a store in Japan called Don Quiote. I had to drop by to get some groceries before heading home. Now if you have never been to Japan or Don Quiote, it is basically a mega mart. It is this wonderful/terrible place where you can find almost anything. It can honestly be very overwhelming. They sell groceries, electronics, sporting goods (from the big brands: Nike, Adidas, Puma, etc), cologne/perfume, makeup, sex toys (just Japan things), and even luxury goods from brands such as Armani, Coach, LV, Gucci, etc.(bags and apparel included).
Here’s the floor guide:
So once in a while, I would go to the top floor (That is where the luxury goods/watches are usually sold). Usually, it is very slim pickings and most of the time it is not worth even looking at imo.
But I just decided to head up there real quick to see what they have.
I got up there and took a look at the small Seiko and Citizen section. There was a Tag Heuer section and some fashion brands too (nothing really notable).
I got to the small Omega section and saw nothing really out of the ordinary. But one piece caught my eye. I had to do a double take and make sure that it was what it was and priced at what it was.
It’s this Omega Seamaster Railmaster. Priced at ¥235,000/USD$1570/SGD$2150.
I had to ask the staff at the counter, is this actually brand new? Sure enough, after requesting to get hands-on with it and getting confirmation that it is brand new as they are an authorized dealer for Omega, I knew I had to pull the trigger on this. So I instantly bought it. I was able to get Tax-Free too as I am in Japan for slightly less than 90 days this time because I’m heading back home for the new year. So that made the deal even sweeter.
I am extremely happy with this purchase, as I do like simple watches such as the IWC Mark XVIII. I have always wanted to add an Omega to my collection as I have very fond memories of my dad wearing his Omega while growing up. There are some vintage Omega pieces that I am still looking for and I do hope to own an Omega Speedmaster 57 when the price is right. But this was a very pleasant surprise of a find.
Just thought I’d share my experience and how sometimes you can just get a watch in the most unexpected place/manner.
Would love to hear your stories if you have experienced something similar.
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Seems like an awesome deal. Warranty?
Is one of my favorite Omega without a doubt.congrats
Right place right time, never happens to me. Congratulations great watch.
Bargain, beautiful ❤️
Right place right time, never happens to me. Congratulations great watch.
Just wait, your moment will come 🙏
Seems like an awesome deal. Warranty?
I mean, for that price, it could be serviced 10x over and still be under retail!
Wow, if you include a price for a trip to Japan, it is still a good price.
Not as good as your deal but I bought a CK859 with 40% discount.
Don’t have a story remotely close to that!!! Don Quiote/top floor will forever burn in my memory the next time I visit wonderful Japan! Thx for a great read and congrats on one hell of a deal/beautiful watch!! 🤙❤️🎯
wow...that's an awesome deal. I would have been all over that. good find!
I did not know DonQui (I say it like "Donkey") carried brand name luxury watches. The only DonQui's I've been to sold bric-a-brac. It was like the physical embodiment of what an Amazon store would look like if they carried a million types of the same item.
That being said, that is a steal at that price. The cheapest gray market I've ever seen the Railmaster was 2x that price on Jomashop.
Hot dang diggity, what a savings.
See? Alan Rickman agrees with me! Enjoy your purchase my friend. 🍻
Very nice! I also got more than half off (also in Japan) on an American-made Weiss Surfin' Safari - one of only 10 made exclusively for the Japan market.
He shoots! He scores!!! 👌!
Well done.
Amazing stroke of luck. Congrats!
Cracking deal 👍
Oh man of all places at “Donkey”! That’s like finding an Omega section at the Dollar Store in the US
Yeah it was a really unexpected purchase. But sometimes when the price is too good to pass up, you just gotta go for it. This is one of those cases for me. Also I like the look of the watch. Bonus points.
6th floor... An umbrella... Just one, better hurry! 😂
Fabulous purchase!
Congratulations! One o the most beautiful Omega, IMO
Great watch. Congratulations!
Had same experience at Nakano Broadway this year, bought Speedy hesalite for 43% off FRP, brand new with all papers and full warranty. Had same discount level for blue and grey Seamaster and same black Railmaster as you on bracelet but had to press myself hard not buying both of them on the spot. Next trip to Japan is in 2 years and definitely going there with an eye for another great deal.
Now you can call yourself THE Railmaster. I have the dirty mind like a 15 year old kid haha.
My wife and I were randomly talking about this watch yesterday and we joked about getting one engraved “you are the Railmaster”
Perfect after market strap for that watch , this would be my pick , great catch you got there …
My wife and I were randomly talking about this watch yesterday and we joked about getting one engraved “you are the Railmaster”
Will she be the owner of the watch 🤣😂
Congratulations what a bargain. I bet it was a highly satisfactory purchase :)
Thank you! Do come to Japan! The yen is great now for tourists and the watch scene here in Japan is amazing. So many stores that sell new and vintage. You will be spoiled for choice.
Japan is on my wish list, I would love to visit one day. I have bought a JDM watch but would like some more. One day maybe !
I just doubled checked your pictures, you can pick up a Seamaster 300M for $3670. That is nuts. I recently moved from Tokyo back in April after living there for 4 years. I need to move back there, just for the watch deals going on right now with the exchange rate.
I just doubled checked your pictures, you can pick up a Seamaster 300M for $3670. That is nuts. I recently moved from Tokyo back in April after living there for 4 years. I need to move back there, just for the watch deals going on right now with the exchange rate.
Yeah. There’s even an aqua terra there with rose gold markers for around 550,000 yen. Though I expect the yen to bounce back. So this pricing will not be this good forever. The Seamaster professional 300 is quite widely available at that price. So it’s not that big of a deal imo. If it’s the green variant. Then I think that’s an instant buy haha.
Really nice Omega - avoiding the cliche Seamaster diver with the double crown
Understated, elegant, functional