Greetings everyone.

This is a quick recount of my Japan trip and a super impromptu gtg with @bigsom and @sliceoftime_

Would like to give a special mention to @aap for his recommendations to walk around the cool vintage streets of Koenji (vintage clothes and bags) and the flea watch market (which I was unable to attend due to our itinerary) but it was still awesome!

This is my first trip down to Tokyo and boy was it fun.

Visited many many watch shops both modern and vintage ones; and there's a #barnfind story to be told too!

Visited the famous Jack Roads and tried on a few watches with @bigsom mostly a 16750 and some day dates. I tried on Som's super nice 2020 speedy too!

A 1501

Couple of 1803s


Some UGs

Soon after which we left and proceeded to meet @sliceoftime_ Kent for a quick gtg and coffee


Sorry about the cut off of your speedy @bigsom my tech skills are supbar. =3

It was really awesome meeting Som and Kent and finally putting faces to the names. I forgot to take a picture of all the handsome gents mentioned because we were being watch otakus for the most.

Last but not least Som and I walked past a pop up toy store and lo and behold there were some Seiko watches for sale. Quickly picked these two up for they were crazy cheap.




Also managed to get an IWC Calatrava 582 Cal from time anagram. Definitely paid a premium for this but I thought the price justified the premium.

Hope you guys enjoyed the post as much as we did catching up!!

 

Great pics and great times! Was a blast, looking forward to the next time

 

Some pictures from Carese and other vintage watch shops.



Curious Curio

 

Looks like a fun trip!

 

Some great looking watches, very jealous.

 

Do you remember how much is the Cartier Santos Dumont in your picture?

I can imagine it was amazing trip! Went to Japan once, unfortunately I didn't look around for watch shops, but I notice almost all men wear watches!

 

Japan is a real fun place to shop for vintage watches! Always a joy to go vintage watch shopping. Sadly the watches are usually priced higher than usual. But if you manage to find the one watch that you were looking for, I say go for it.

 

Very timely post. Just arrived in Tokyo for a week of meetings. Not much time for sight seeing but trying to steal couple of hours before Friday for some watch shopping. Any vintage watch shops near Rappongi area? My first time here and can not wait to step out of the hotel tomorrow morning. Trying to combine a work and vacation in Feb with Famliy and if they are available would love to meet members.

 

Sorry just saw this! For rolex and all that Jack roads/ Broadway seems to be the place to go for those.

For military watches Curious Curio have a nice selection.

For seikos and everything else, mizutani at ueno is great. Ueno has some shops like satin doll which Som saw some nice pieces omega and rolex.

Hope it's helpful.

 

Cheer man, was a short fun trip. Catch up soon in Jakarta or Singapore.

 

@sdre : Thank you for taking the time to give me some pointers. Looks like Mizutani is the place to go for vintage Seiko’s. From their website they are closed today and will try to take off early from work tomorrow and go there. From my google search (and no knowledge of Japanese langauge whatsoever) think there are lot of watch shops around Ueno area. Around 20 mins on Cab from Roppongi where I come to work everyday. Hopefully tomorrow will be able to post some pictures .

 

http://deadseconds.net/2018/02/01/used-watch-shopping-in-tokyo-part-3-ueno/

I used this as a guide. Hope it helps.

 

Thanks.. Now I have to make sure I don’t spend all my money here Thanks

 

Some wonderful looking watches you got to see. Will have to go back one day. Japan has to be the country I enjoyed visiting the most. I spent 7 weeks visiting different cities. I have only been to 40 countries but I think it will take a lot to beat Japan for me.

 

Thanks again @sdre. Went to Ueno. Great place for shopping. Found a good deal on Oris and Cosmo Aviator series. Planning to go to Mizutani tomorrow. Their website said they were closed today.

Any recommendations for a toy shop in or around Roppongi area? Thanks again

 

Purchased 2 more at Mizutani. Great place and great service. Was never pressured to buy anything they were happy to take out any watch I wanted to wear. Very knowledgeable owner and store has watches and camera everywhere. Not cheap but can bargain a little. Foreign buyers can take their passport and get tax free. Looking to buy the original bracelet for the Seiko below. Any pointers on where to keep a eye on? Thanks @sdre and @bigsom. Great country and my new project may take take me there few times a year.

Also declared all the watches at customs at JFK and pretty much was told Merry Christmas and you are good to go. Don’t worry to custom duties .

 

Congrats man!

Sorry didn't see the alerts to your question

But yeah Miztuntani's store guy is really fluent in English. I didn't get anything there in the end but he was cool with me looking at some watches.

These are from Mizutani

 

@Skrv congratulations man, that 6117 looks AMAZING. Fantastic find!

 

this is so great! Go OF!

I think i need to plan a trip out to Japan soon...