Dear OF members,

I will be visiting HK in a couple of weeks. Will be staying there for quite a number of days, am wondering if there are any particular area or shops that I should check out for watches. Would be ideal if I can pick up 1 or 2 nice pieces for the trip. I am not limiting my options to any particular brands, the cash goes where the heart flutters.

Thank you in advance for the kind advices. Have a great sunday ahead ya'll.

 

Paging Mr. @JohnSteed ...

 

I just did this search and I tried to check out the one location way up Nathan Road, but I was too much of an earlier riser to be successful! Next time I’m over there, I’ll check ‘em all out!

https://omegaforums.net/threads/where-to-go-for-watch-ing-in-hong-kong.34641/#post-390633

 

@Zhikiat PM me when ready...those shops (in thread referenced above) have moved a bit and have different opening hours.

Take a ferry to Macau too!! Nathan rd a must if you want a spectacle, but not much to see there. Mongkok just like ebay IMHO...

 

Aw, come on, John! Share your recommendations with all of us if the old leads are no good!

 

@JohnSteed Thanks for the advice John! Will drop you a PM soon. Am trying to do up an itinerary. Have got to include them in.

@mikechi22 Thanks for the link! Tried searching for a similar thread but couldn't find it. Now I know! Thanks so much

 

Please do let us know how it goes! I live right across the river from Hong Kong and have been eager to check out some better vintage spots. The OB on Nathan Road is a helpful one.

 

Yeah, throw a rock...

 

There's a number of second-hand watch -- and camera -- shops in a mall (Champagne Court?) on Kimberley Road just off Nathan Road, beyond the Mira Hotel, in TST. Union Watch has a HUGE selection of pretty much every modern brand. If you're particularly into vintage rolex, you could try Alex Pig in Quarry Bay, but check his opening times before you go.

 

Thanks for the recommendations mate. Will keep ya'll posted on this lil journey of mine!

 

Trip got delayed till the 17th of November. Will keep everyone informed! @JohnSteed Will drop you a pm instead in a few days mate! Have a good weekend guys

 

My updated thoughts.

First HK was my second home and I love it - you have to have some understanding of the culture not to be constantly offended as a westerner going for the first time - most especially if you are American (no judgements here, just saying who I see most upset in dealing with the Cantonese which is strange as they make 1970's New Yorkers look like pussy cats).

Vintage concept has the best retail experience - huge selection of vintage Rolex.
Berne Horology. Tiny shop packed with vintage, but as ever prices too high.
Mong Kok has several shops worth looking at, in a tiny mall that specialises in vintage watches and toy guns. (??Welcome to HK)
You would be extremely lucky to buy a (vintage) speedmaster in HK.
If you really know what you are doing you might find a vintage Rolex or Tudor worth having, but it won't be cheap.

HK people have woken up in a big way to vintage. Just look at the biggest collectors in IG. They pay high for the best, but also there is wickedness where there is money, and HK is a strange place where the very best vintage meets with the best counterfeit. And when I say counterfeit, I mean part by part replicas that can contain any number of genuine parts.

Just one example, when many of the 18kt gold GMT's were scrapped (during the high gold prices of the late last century), the movements were sold (by the bag) into the market where they were put into replica cases - I know the man who scrapped the cases, but not the man who built the watches.

I would agree with @JohnSteed comparing Mong Kok to eBay with the added observation that eBay is often cheaper, better selection and better buyer protection.

Also check out the HK watch guild show http://www.hkwgs.com/home2.html
They have shows about once a month and that will blow your mind, by far the most intense vintage watch experience you can imagine. It's worth making sure you are in HK to witness it. Lots of Middle East gold watch dealers, lots of real vintage dealers with all makes, and now several of the New York boys were there too last time I went.

 

Vintage is no cheaper there than anywhere else but what they do have apart from great Chinese food....


Is very very able watch makers ,and they are extremely good value and very efficient in my experience..fast turn around and very skilful
For example as my fellow forum member will I am sure attest ,Mike Young at classic watch repair is one of the most recommended Rolex watch and particularly bracelets repairer in the world ...oh and by the way cash is preferred for all