Interesting Japanese (vintage) watch traders

[Mark020]

While hunting for UG/Movado serials I sometimes run into Japanse traders which for some reason don't easily show up in Google but are very interesting to browse. Perhaps not if you are mainly interested in Rolex and Omega but especially more obscure brands are well covered. Quality - in general is - (very) high. Thought it may be fun to share here.

Some remarks:

• Not all sites are easy to navigate. Some of them are in English but if not use Chrome (as browser) right click and choose translate.
• EURJPY=162 which means that JPY 100k is about EUR 616 (or USD 682) at the time of writing this (edited at 19 August 2024)
  [*]I don't recommend or endorse ANY of them..... Do your own due diligence if you want to buy something

https://www.antiquewatch-carese.com/ (site is SLOW)
https://www.shellman-online.jp/ (over 100 pages!!)
https://curious-curio.jp/
https://www.watchnet.co.jp/
http://www.cool-auction.net/gallery/
http://www.taiando.com/Antique_2.html
https://antiwatchman.com/
https://firekids.jp/search?q=
https://www.libertas-watch.com/ (but use - in google - site:www.libertas-watch.com [brand you want to research])
https://www.yonedaya.co.jp/category/item/antique-watch (use google. See remark right above....)
https://chronograph-seno.com/ [edit 19 April 2023: seems out of business]
https://www.cagi-due.co.jp/
https://cue-vintagewatch.com/stocks/
https://timeanagram.com/
https://www.cotton-tail.com/
http://www.dazzling.co.jp/all/100
https://www.sweetroad.com/
https://onbehalf.jp/en/item/type/complications/ (only Patek)
https://fromtimetotimes.com/
https://aando-since1993.net/?mode=cate&cbid=456896&csid=0&sort=n
https://vintagewatchjapan.com/ (nice stuff but you can't click through)
https://antiquemitsugen.co.jp/
https://the-vintage-watch.stores.jp/
https://vintagewatchlife.com/en
http://select-watch.tokyo/
https://kashichi.theshop.jp/
https://watchtenderjapan.com/
https://www.bijoux-teraguchi.com/watch-top/antique-collection
https://www.ruchiklu.com/
https://antiqurious.com/
http://cticorp.jp/
http://www.syuukou.com/
https://kurofune-tokei.com/
http://www.bq-watch.jp/list/new.htm
http://www.daiwatokeiten.co.jp/
https://www.luxurydays.jp/en/ (Patek)
http://anytimewear.jp/
https://www.corleone.co.jp/watch/new.html
https://www.oneminutegallery.jp/
https://nivram.official.ec/ (mainly Rolex)
https://www.watch-colle.com/
http://www.le-temps.com/chrono.htm
https://www.horol.com/
http://tertrerouge2010.blog58.fc2.com/blog-category-8.html (not a trader but still interesting)
http://www.goodwatch78.com/ (mainly Rolex)
https://www.e-maruka.com/watch
https://shop.tribute-watch.jp/
https://antique-tableware.com/en/collections/ヴィンテージ-ミリタリーウォッチ?page=1 (military watches)


Not Japanese but hard to find: https://www.bernehorology.com/watch

Please share other suggestions!!

Edited: Sep 2, 2024

 

[wrist time]

Note that many Japanese sellers will not ship outside of Japan. With the ones that do factor in any applicable import taxes as they will almost certainly declare the full value on shipping forms.

 

[Mark020]

Added a couple!

 

[collector1946]

wrist time

Note that many Japanese sellers will not ship outside of Japan. With the ones that do factor in any applicable import taxes as they will almost certainly declare the full value on shipping forms.

Set up an account with a reshipper in Japan, It gives you an address to ship to in Japan, You need to fill in your values (on line) of whatever you have bought. Then choose the postal service you require (online) all at the shippers website, hey presto a few days later you have your goods.

 

[cqing]

collector1946

Set up an account with a reshipper in Japan, It gives you an address to ship to in Japan, You need to fill in your values (on line) of whatever you have bought. Then choose the postal service you require (online) all at the shippers website, hey presto a few days later you have your goods.

But iirc, if you choose to ship to a Japan address, you need to pay Japan GST @ 10%.

 

[Mark020]

Added a couple!

 

[Zman4eva]

Why does it seems like Japan has so many more vintage watches compared to US? Or is it just perception?

 

[JetLinks]

Zman4eva

Why does it seems like Japan has so many more vintage watches compared to US? Or is it just perception?

I just got back from 3-days of watch shopping in Tokyo.... Shinjuku, Ginza and Nakano! New, used and vintage watches galore!!! Highly, highly recommended!!!

 

[Zman4eva]

JetLinks

I just got back from 3-days of watch shopping in Tokyo.... Shinjuku, Ginza and Nakano! New, used and vintage watches galore!!! Highly, highly recommended!!!

Do you have any pics to share (new purchases, etc.)?

 

[JetLinks]

Sorry I'm so slow to respond here but I'd be happy to share some pics. I'll start with my favorite Japanese trio acquired over the last couple of years.....



Then there's all the sad cases full of unloved (and overpriced) watches, especially Rolexes.....



Then how about some amazing food in between all the shopping....

 

[jantjewgm]

Wow nice work and thanks for sharing @Mark020. I have no experience in buying watches from Japan.
Do you have such a list of European or American watch sellers as well?

 

[Mark020]

Nope. And no ambitions to do that 😁

 

[Skrv]

JetLinks

I just got back from 3-days of watch shopping in Tokyo.... Shinjuku, Ginza and Nakano! New, used and vintage watches galore!!! Highly, highly recommended!!!

Great watches. I keep traveling to Tokyo for work. Any suggestions on good vintage shops around Ginza ? Thanks again

 

[Mark020]

Added some!

 

[Mark020]

Added some more

 

[Redondo444]

Mark020

Added some more

Thx Mark for all the updates - some very nice websites with even more nice watches 😀

 

[paddymoran]

collector1946

Set up an account with a reshipper in Japan, It gives you an address to ship to in Japan, You need to fill in your values (on line) of whatever you have bought. Then choose the postal service you require (online) all at the shippers website, hey presto a few days later you have your goods.

Grateful if you could share a link to a Japanese reshipper that you have used.

 

[Braindrain]

paddymoran

Grateful if you could share a link to a Japanese reshipper that you have used.

I've used Buyee (or rather, their parent company) with zero issues.

 

[Larry S]

wrist time

Note that many Japanese sellers will not ship outside of Japan. With the ones that do factor in any applicable import taxes as they will almost certainly declare the full value on shipping forms.

As they should. no legitimate dealer wants to have a watch snagged by customs.

 

[Joe_A]

I have not spent much time perusing the Japanese sites, but I do follow "Private Eyes"

https://www.watchnet.co.jp/

on Instagram. They often have vintage watches in exquisite condition on offer.

Over at the Enicar Forums a member put up a link to this watch . . .

https://curious-curio.jp/watch/53441

And I had to buy it. ;-) Working on the "paperwork" now.

Our EF member later indicated that the watch was sold prior on another Japanese site, also on Mark's list:

https://www.libertas-watch.com/rolex-other/26043

I'd never heard of Curious Curio nor the site where the watch was previously sold, also on Mark's list - Libertas.

Perhaps Mark can delete this thread as a service so that some of us can hang on to more of our money?

😉 😉,

Joe

Edited: Jan 7, 2024