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  1. JwRosenthal Jun 15, 2019

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    And the two you mentioned above, they are sellers here on OF?
     
  2. Dan S Jun 15, 2019

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    Closer and elady are legit high-volume sellers, and I don't think their prices are outrageously high. However, they rarely have really top-notch examples. This is just something I've personally noticed over the years.
     
  3. JwRosenthal Jun 15, 2019

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    I’ve been looking at the Valjoux based SM’s lately (the reduced posted above being the exception) after a recent thread and these Japanese ones keep popping up. They seem like a great value for what they are and not looking for minty, just don’t want to get screwed and have to ship it back to Japan on my dime.
     
  4. Shabbaz Jun 15, 2019

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    Closer watches...:D Typical japanese watches.
     
    20180901_170354.jpg Screenshot_20190313-191407_Gallery.jpg Screenshot_20171220-173913.png
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  5. JwRosenthal Jun 15, 2019

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    I take that as one ringing endorsement for Closer then
     
  6. JwRosenthal Jun 15, 2019

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    Make that two actually
     
  7. Shabbaz Jun 15, 2019

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    Well. I always scan the japanese market for modelnumbers like the:
    168001
    1680065
    166010
    168024
    14777 (out of my head)
    Etc

    Nice iwc's also
     
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  8. wsfarrell Jun 15, 2019

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    Putting in another good word for closer in particular, Japanese sellers in general. Something not mentioned yet: these sellers are usually MUCH more honest in the description of the watch, often showing photos that highlight minor imperfections, rather than hiding them.
     
  9. Stufflers Mom Jun 15, 2019

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    elady always has plenty of stock, but I've never bought anything from them.
     
  10. impalla62ss Jun 15, 2019

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    A lot of the Japanese listings have watch accuracy timing in the listing. I have been looking a chronometers and it is great to know if they are out of COSC specs. Who knows how many positions they have been timed in, but it is a lot more info than, 'it keeps good time.' Knowing that am not buying a watch that is due from a service is worth a bit of a premium. The Japanese BIN prices for the watches I am looking at, appear to be lower than auction items in the states for similar items. I have only been looking for about a month, though.
     
  11. Shabbaz Jun 15, 2019

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    I dont think the fact that a watch runs within specs means it's not due from service. But maybe our watchmakers can chime in to answer this.
     
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  12. wsfarrell Jun 15, 2019

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    Servicing aside, (a) I'd rather buy a watch running within spec than not, and (b) I'd rather know how a watch is running than not.
     
  13. Shabbaz Jun 15, 2019

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    That's true...:D
     
  14. Shabbaz Jun 15, 2019

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    I always wondered how sellers - such as elady and closer - get their volumes of vintage watches.
     
  15. krh7 Jun 15, 2019

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    i bought an el primero from closer0924. watch was immaculate and came as full set. no tax/import charges. very happy how it worked out. i can see headacheches on older watches that might need an immediate service.
     
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  16. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jun 16, 2019

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    True. Casual timing observations aren't going to tell you if the watch is in good shape. Even using a timing machine may not give you enough information to make a judgement.

    https://omegaforums.net/threads/if-...-does-that-mean-it-doesnt-need-service.20475/

    Cheers, Al
     
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  17. connieseamaster Jun 16, 2019

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    Someone explained to me that Japanese consumers don't really desire things that are "vintage" or second hand so once a watch is no longer wanted by the original owner, the second hand market is very soft.
     
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  18. ipreferjester Jun 18, 2019

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    As a guy that lived there for years, I can say a lot of these sellers are very honest. It's a bit taboo in Japan to mislead or to provide bad service to their customers. Regardless, I've bought several pieces from closer, and transactions and shipping have always gone smoothly for me. Regarding the high amount of vintage supply: it's similar to what @connieseamaster had said. They prefer the newer pieces as opposed to old and worn down pieces, and so when they have the opportunity to "upgrade" their watch, they tend to sell their vintage piece, and use that to cover the majority of the cost for a newer brand name watch. That's also why you see a lot of their vintage pieces getting polished. I'm not a huge fan of that, as I like everything (from dings to dents) to be kept original and not be tampered with, but they don't particularly enjoy the microscratches on pieces and tend to buff/polish them out to give a "new watch" appearance/finish to them for quicker sales.
     
  19. davy26 Limited comebackability is his main concern. Jun 18, 2019

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    I wanted a 3950.50 for my son recently - hard to find in the condition preferred, (really good, but not 'perfect,' as it was to be a daily-wearer), until I came across something just right on eLady. I was a little wary, but in the event the transaction and the watch itself were completely satisfactory. I'd have no hesitation in buying from eLady again.
    smlDSC_0004_00004ad2.jpg
     
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  20. dabbispade Jun 18, 2019

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    I’ve bought from eLady crew times from Japan, good seller and you will get better price at there website + 10% extra discount for the first time.

    https://mall.elady.com/

    What you have to be aware it is if you are buying like chronograph Speedy there they do often need a service. They will not tell anything about the service history but if it’s all messed up then you can return it for a full refund.
    Also they ship free with EMS that is nice. But some quite nice deals can me made there.
     
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