Does any one have a favorite watch shops in Tokyo, Japan? Looking for vintage watches. I did a search and found out about Jack Road and Kame Kichi in the Nakano Broadway mall. I will also be in Seoul, Korea for a few days. Any one have any suggestions?
I was in Seoul Korea a few years ago and there is an area that I cannot remember the name of, however I went into a watch shop where they had quite a few omega watches but they were, in my opinion, overpriced, they had a dynamic watch that was ok but they wanted over a 1000 dollars for it which was pretty steep. Obviously this might not be indicative of all watch shops but it was the only one I found and I was there for 7 weeks holiday.
I've always wanted to check out Private Eyes in Tokyo, recently written up on Hodinkee. http://www.watchnet.co.jp/p-eyes/index.php http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/watch-shopping-in-japan
Nakano Broadway is the place to go for vintage. Some watch shops around kabuki-cho as well but mainly recent examples.
Go to Ueno station and heading to Ameyokocho shopping street. There are dozens second hand branded watches stores, which probably 3-4 specializing in vintage watches. Last time I visited, there are few mission logo speedmasters, a Gemini IV and a 35th Panda Speedmaster in a mixed brand store. One of the store has few high end vintage watches from IWC, Vacheron and Patek. They also sell vintage cameras and audios. One other store specializing in Japanese vintage watches (Seiko, Grand seiko, Citizen, Orient) Another Rolex-only store has couple McQueen explorers, pre daytona chronograph and few vintage subs.
I find that watch shopping online using Japanese katakana letters to search has been quite rewarding....
Great thanks. Just starting to think about accommodation's any suggestion for hotels? Going in October.
If you don't mind efficient space, APA hotel is my pick. Very clean and comfy bed, enough space to put in 2 big luggages. Me, my wife and our 2 yr old go to Japan (Kansai, kanto, Hokkaido) and we always like APA, if you are lucky can even book at below 8000yen for their ginza locations. Basically they are everywhere, very clean and cost efficient. Make sure you ask for non-smoking. Have a good trip.
For reservations around Japan I use Agoda.com. Their interface is very good and you get access to a wide range of accommodations from the capsule hotels (don't bother, or at the very least don't schedule more than one night) to hostels, to traditional places, all the way up to five star hotels.