NA! Buying a the real Mitsukoshi: a crazy hunt! 🤯

Evitzee · Sep 6, 2025

Very comprehensive post and great pics, a good reference for future use.

OP seems to be keeping his modded version and he said that he enjoyed wearing the modded version during the summer. Does this mean the genuine Mitsukoshi is a safe queen, not worn much for fear of damage? A shame if that's the case.

Omega, of course, could simply publish the serial numbers of the 300 genuine versions to help prevent fraud and abuse in the marketplace, but the Swiss always want to hold information as tight as possible. They really have little time for collectors.

YY77 · Sep 6, 2025

Evitzee
Very comprehensive post and great pics, a good reference for future use.

OP seems to be keeping his modded version and he said that he enjoyed wearing the modded version during the summer. Does this mean the genuine Mitsukoshi is a safe queen, not worn much for fear of damage? A shame if that's the case.

Omega, of course, could simply publish the serial numbers of the 300 genuine versions to help prevent fraud and abuse in the marketplace, but the Swiss always want to hold information as tight as possible. They really have little time for collectors.

OP isn't a safe queen kind of guy, on our local watchforum I've read the mod is going on sale as soon as it is back from a service.

watchstick_81 · Sep 8, 2025

Ron_W
Awesome post and information, congratulations again 👍.

ibis888
Stupendous post, thank you for adding to the community scholarship.

Alex Cheers
Thank you Jordy for sharing! As entertaining as informative!

nurseford25
Fantastic thread. Really appreciate you putting together this write up and sharing with the forum.

samarofficial777
Excellent post and love the attention to detail. The photos are also impressive.

Thanks guys!

Felix_La_PuBelle
Great post. And I think many points are equally applicable to other LEs from around this time period, including the one near and dear to my heart: the 3570.40 Japan Racing Dial.

Thank you! Yes the Japan Racing Dial, TinTin (even the caseback) and other are easy to fake. It might all be original parts, but it's not the same as the real product. Mods are fine but not if you have to pay the high premium for a real one. During my hunt for a real Mitsukoshi, I also came across a fake Japan Racing at Chrono24, sold by a dealer with a high rating. I guess we as collectors (should) know what to look out for and dealers don't. Funny how you also triple checked!

dsio
Excellent thread! It's worth mentioning that the reason, or part of the reason there is such an utter boatload of these service dials in the market is that an Australian parts vendor called WatchCo had stockpiled all of the nicest looking LE dials for Speedys, Gemini IVs, Alaska Projects, Apollo 11 35th etc and these Mitsukoshi dials too.

Thank you and that's very interesting! I think this has actually happened world wide because I know plenty of Dutch Omega certified watchmakers (who still have that status) that have bought and sold dozens of these sets (for clients). Some are even keeping a few sets as a rainy day fund.

This might have hurt the value of the authentic Mitsukoshi Speedmaster a bit. Not as much as the mods it seems. I'm not complaining, as I got a great deal (no warranty card, if anyone still cares with all the faked cards). On the other hand, an authentic 20K+ set sold two weeks ago to a Swiss collector. So they are still moving.

theluckyluke · Sep 8, 2025

Very interesting read, thanks for taking the time to post.

Can I clarify one thing - while the EoA aren’t running anymore obviously, certified watchmakers can enter the serial in their database and a picture + details of the watch would show up?

How does that info differ from an EoA? I suppose this is mostly technical information, but nothing on point of sale etc.?

watchstick_81 · Sep 8, 2025

Evitzee
OP seems to be keeping his modded version and he said that he enjoyed wearing the modded version during the summer. Does this mean the genuine Mitsukoshi is a safe queen, not worn much for fear of damage? A shame if that's the case.

Omega, of course, could simply publish the serial numbers of the 300 genuine versions to help prevent fraud and abuse in the marketplace, but the Swiss always want to hold information as tight as possible. They really have little time for collectors.

You do understand I'm still here to answer questions and I never left this forum? Anyway, I still own the modded version and it's now at the watchmaker for a service. It was fun taking photos of both but I'm not keeping it. It will be sold as soon as it's ready.

There's always an endless discussion going on about sharing valid serial number, as I believe you should never share this publicly. Only the ones that are fake should be shared. With every watch of high value, you get fakes. When a scammer can share a valid Mitsukoshi serial with a potential buyer and he also owns matching photos of that set, it's very likely this will not end well. I've seen this happen with hacked eBay accounts in the past. I'd like to prevent that. Again, I'm happy to share my knowledge with anyone who is looking for one.

And you can always check a serial with Omega (or watchmaker), they do take time for collectors unlike other brands.

watchstick_81 · Sep 8, 2025

theluckyluke
Very interesting read, thanks for taking the time to post.

Can I clarify one thing - while the EoA aren’t running anymore obviously, certified watchmakers can enter the serial in their database and a picture + details of the watch would show up?

How does that info differ from an EoA? I suppose this is mostly technical information, but nothing on point of sale etc.?

Thank you! Yes every certified Omega watchmaker can check the serial. If it's valid, the correct watch or description will pop up. If not, a different watch will show. With the Mitsukoshi it's a picture and the correct reference. For example, with the Japan Racing Dial it only shows the reference (no photo) and some details about the dial, which also should give a good impression. So it varies. The Omega Extract of the Archives can prove it's a real one, but these extracts can also be faked. So if you can get hard evidence from the mother ship (Omega HQ) via their online system, you definitely know it's valid. The extract might be a good and fun addition, but it will take a long while until they relaunch it.

hansaboy · Sep 8, 2025

Amazing investigation, what a lovely write upp/story and congrats to the lovely watch!
And also thanks for sharing.

Erhh…Jordy - will this Speedy be the star of the next GTG??
😃

watchstick_81 · Sep 8, 2025

hansaboy
Amazing investigation, what a lovely write upp/story and congrats to the lovely watch!
And also thanks for sharing.

Erhh…Jordy - will this Speedy be the star of the next GTG??
😃

Thanks Hans! I'm glad you like the write up and it's been quite an adventure! I'm looking forward to meeting you in November and I guess the Mitsukoshi will probably be the only one there haha. Since the GTG I bought four new Speedies (in the picture below the fourth and last three), so it's certainly a bad influence 😉

hansaboy · Sep 8, 2025

watchstick_81
Thanks Hans! I'm glad you like the write up and it's been quite an adventure! I'm looking forward to meeting you in November and I guess the Mitsukoshi will probably be the only one there haha. Since the GTG I bought four new Speedies (in the picture below the fourth and last three), so it's certainly a bad influence 😉

Wow..Nice collection, and I think I have a favorite one there...!
Looking forward to the event!
👍👍👍

ahlgringo · Sep 8, 2025

Amazing post, just learned a metric ton. May I ask another broad type question regarding authenticity checks? I was actually unaware that ANY certified Omega Watchmaker could check the entire archive? Is there a date range that this service is available (only more recent models) or does this encompass every Omega ever made like the archives are supposed to? I am much more of a Pre-Moon kind of guy, but as everyone know- vintage can be real tough to authenticate. A tool that was actually accessible (like the extracts were) would be amazing. Also, any recommendations on approaching certified Watchmakers in order to ask for them to conduct this research on your behalf? I am imagining the last thing they want is to get bombarded by the masses.

Many thanks again for the education as well as entertainment this morning!!

Archer · Sep 8, 2025

ahlgringo
Amazing post, just learned a metric ton. May I ask another broad type question regarding authenticity checks? I was actually unaware that ANY certified Omega Watchmaker could check the entire archive? Is there a date range that this service is available (only more recent models) or does this encompass every Omega ever made like the archives are supposed to? I am much more of a Pre-Moon kind of guy, but as everyone know- vintage can be real tough to authenticate. A tool that was actually accessible (like the extracts were) would be amazing. Also, any recommendations on approaching certified Watchmakers in order to ask for them to conduct this research on your behalf? I am imagining the last thing they want is to get bombarded by the masses.

Many thanks again for the education as well as entertainment this morning!!

This has nothing to do with the actual archives. The Omega Extranet is a tool for looking up parts and technical information, so if I need to know the part number of a crown or a set of hands for a specific model, I can look it up on the Extranet.

One way of looking up parts is by the reference number, so the 35705000 number, another would be by the case number, so 145022, and the last is by the serial number of the watch.

When you put a serial number in the system, it will identify the watch reference number, and show you the entire bill of materials for that reference - bracelet, movement, case, etc.. It does not access any archive information, such as the country it was sold to, when it was sold, or anything like that - again that is not the purpose of the Extranet.

In terms of what watches can be looked up by the serial number, generally speaking anything with a serial number over 50 million will show up (although I've had some in the low 50 millions that do not), but anything older than that you will get a "no result found" message back. So it's not really that valuable for vintage watches, but works well for modern. So as an "authentication" tool, it is quite limited to modern watches.

Felix_La_PuBelle · Sep 8, 2025

watchstick_81
I guess we as collectors (should) know what to look out for and dealers don't. Funny how you also triple checked!

Like your Mitsukoshi, it was worth it to get an authentic Japan Racing at a very reasonable price due to the lack of original warranty card.

befobe · Sep 8, 2025

Reference thread! Thanks 👍
Could be useful for some people here on OF! Including me 😎

watchstick_81 · Sep 9, 2025

hansaboy
and I think I have a favorite one there...!

Is it the twin brother (or sister) of the 105.012? 😀

ahlgringo
I am much more of a Pre-Moon kind of guy, but as everyone know- vintage can be real tough to authenticate.

I think this will always remain to be a snake pit and where every buyer has to do their homework carefully. Even extracts can be faked (that well known Greek guy was very good at it when he wanted to sell something). Luckily there are always collectors who are willing to help each other out. I think Archer already gave you the best possible answer in regard of the Omega Extranet. In regard of contacting an Omega watchmaker, it's important to ask politely and maybe even have a (semi)modern Speedmaster serviced by them. It depends on the person. Archer is always helping out others and there are also many others who are willing to help.

O olivereid
Great post! Great shots too. Congratulations on your purchasee.

befobe
Reference thread! Thanks 👍
Could be useful for some people here on OF! Including me 😎

Thanks guys! And happy to help where I can. If you assume every Mitsukoshi Speedmaster on offer is a fake and take it from there, it's much easier 😃

hansaboy · Sep 9, 2025

watchstick_81
Is it the twin brother (or sister) of the 105.012? 😀

BINGO!
😁

Sa Calobra · Sep 10, 2025

Really great post, must have been such a gratifying moment that you got it even at a good price after such a long hunt. Does also show that even on C24 there are good deals to be found

watchstick_81 · Sep 10, 2025

Sa Calobra
Really great post, must have been such a gratifying moment that you got it even at a good price after such a long hunt. Does also show that even on C24 there are good deals to be found

Thank you! I must admit that at first I was still very cautious when it arrived at my doorstep. It took a couple of days to finally realize this must be fully legit given everything checks out. Now I feel very fortunate.

cremisi · Sep 11, 2025

Thank you for sharing! I loved the hunt, the details and the happy ending! I wish you many fun memories with such lovely watch.

cs_84 · Sep 26, 2025

watchstick_81
Thanks guys!

Thank you! Yes the Japan Racing Dial, TinTin (even the caseback) and other are easy to fake. It might all be original parts, but it's not the same as the real product. Mods are fine but not if you have to pay the high premium for a real one. During my hunt for a real Mitsukoshi, I also came across a fake Japan Racing at Chrono24, sold by a dealer with a high rating. I guess we as collectors (should) know what to look out for and dealers don't. Funny how you also triple checked!

Thank you and that's very interesting! I think this has actually happened world wide because I know plenty of Dutch Omega certified watchmakers (who still have that status) that have bought and sold dozens of these sets (for clients). Some are even keeping a few sets as a rainy day fund.

This might have hurt the value of the authentic Mitsukoshi Speedmaster a bit. Not as much as the mods it seems. I'm not complaining, as I got a great deal (no warranty card, if anyone still cares with all the faked cards). On the other hand, an authentic 20K+ set sold two weeks ago to a Swiss collector. So they are still moving.

Never thought i would read about myself and be named a swiss collector, but well.. as you said, finding a real one wasnt easy, and i didnt want to settle with a mod. Wearing it regularly 😊

Thank you for sharing the story of your hunt. Mine felt quite similar..

watchstick_81 · Sep 26, 2025

cs_84
Never thought i would read about myself and be named a swiss collector, but well.. as you said, finding a real one wasnt easy, and i didnt want to settle with a mod. Wearing it regularly 😊

Thank you for sharing the story of your hunt. Mine felt quite similar..

Congrats! So you bought it from the Swiss/German Watchoyster? 😊👍🏼

NA! Buying a the real Mitsukoshi: a crazy hunt! 🤯

Evitzee

YY77

watchstick_81

theluckyluke

watchstick_81

watchstick_81

hansaboy

watchstick_81

hansaboy

ahlgringo

Archer

Felix_La_PuBelle

befobe

watchstick_81

hansaboy

Sa Calobra

watchstick_81

cremisi

cs_84

watchstick_81

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