Favourite Shop for Vintage ROLEX watches in Tokyo

[@vittoriotamburini7352]

Thank you henry, just visited and bought an amazing vintage seiko, you are the best!

[@WatchFanHenry]

Wow, I am absolutely thrilled to hear this. I’m so glad you found a watch from him. It’s just fantastic news. Congratulations.

[@theshadowman1398]

The price on that blue dial is an absolute steal. Epic stuff. And adore that vintage square model

[@WatchFanHenry]

Yes, I find the prices at the store to be reasonable. The most important thing is that he is a long-term reliable seller, that is trustworthy and honest.

[@ponolovefarms3926]

Thank you for this video sir! My wife is in Japan visiting her parents in Honjo and her father very unexpectedly took his favorite watch off his wrist and gifted it to me. The watch is almost 35 years old and I needed at least 2 extra links and he could not find the original box. My wife stopped by this shop the other day and the owner, the grandson of the original shop owner, was able to locate the parts. She’s going back in two weeks to pick them up. The watch is a white gold day date, I’m pretty excited!

[@WatchFanHenry]

Wow, what a fantastic story. I’m absolutely thrilled to hear this. You’ve made my day. Yes, the fellow who runs the store is second or third generation and he’s a wonderful fellow. I’m so happy you’ve been gifted this watch and that this store will help make it a watch that you will enjoy for many years to come. Congratulations!

[@chadplaysfifa2363]

Beautiful!! Thanks for making an authentic video.

[@finlandlife]

I was just there in Ueno few days a go and tried that blue Rolex Oyster precision on my wrist. Very nice owner and great store

[@WatchFanHenry]

I am so glad to hear this. He is such a nice fellow. His watches are well serviced by his shop, his prices are fair, and his shop has been there for decades. So this is a reliable and long established shop.

[@MyCCW]

I've purchased a number of watches from Japanese retailers. One came with the wrong booklet and they, at their expense, sourced one and shipped it to me in the US, in 3 days, at no charge.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Historically speaking Japanese customer service is to a very high level.

[@dannysimenauer5745]

MyCCW, if you bought the watch online from a Japanese dealer, were you charged custom duties and sales tax to get the watch delivered to the US?

[@MyCCW]

⁠whoever they ship with usually bills you for the import duties. If it’s DHL, you’ll get a link to pay the duties. If it’s FedEx, FedEx will send you a bill. Either way, yes, you’ll be charged import duties.

[@dannysimenauer5745]

@@MyCCW Thanks for confirming your experience.

[@clifforddriver9434]

Thank you very much. That was extremely informative.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@SpiceLifeWithShams]

Thanks for including the prices!

[@jaysato]

Wow i live in Japan and i have probably walk passed that store many times in Ueno. I do not buy or wear any rolex but just across your video. Good to still know. Thank you for the info!

[@siners77]

Thanks for the share, dam I wishes I watched this video, few weeks back

[@WillElliott-c7c]

Thanks Henry me and my girlfriend love all your videos such charm. Love ❤

[@Democractivist]

Excellent video Henry - you have a new subscriber! Happy Rolex hunting.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you so much. I am very happy you find my videos of value. My goal is to share the knowledge and experience so others can benefit and learn.

[@Oscarito_us]

We're planning a trip in November and I have plans to look for watches and cameras so this looks like a great store to stop by.

[@khunemz]

Keep doting I will visit soon and find some Rolex.

[@Nohojunocry]

Great video. Stayed in ueno in 2019

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you, it’s well worth visiting Japan. Any chance you can get if you’re a watch fan and can’t wait for my next visit.

[@brettcrf]

1977 is my birth year 👍🏻nice watch

[@will-li2lq]

Thanks for this video, I will be checking Mizutani in a week when I am in Tokyo! so excited for my trip and looking forward to hopefully finding myself a nice vintage omega! Im hoping that grey/black constellation at 7;02 is still there!!!!!

[@BobGolob]

Thanks. You should add the shop address in the description.

[@fbernacke]

You do a really nice job with your videos. Always very informative and straightforward with no fluff. You're an outstanding resource. I have always wondered where a lot of the vintage dealers here in the US source some of their pieces and Tokoyo would make sense given the prices.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you so very much. I very much appreciate that my videos have given an insight into the realities of the Japanese marketplace. Several people have left comments saying that Hong Kong is comparable. I’ve not been there so I can’t say but if it’s the case, then perhaps both Japan and Hong Kong are buyers markets for North American and European resellers. As for Japan .. just last week, it was in the news that Japan dropped from number 3 to the world’s number 4 largest economy (behind China) because of the recession in that country. Therefore local Japanese Rolex buyers have less cash and there’s less demand and because of the massive supply over the last 50 years, the Rolex market is naturally softer, which makes it good for us foreigners. I think this is part of the equation for Japan.

[@whatchs9360]

4:30 it is not an Oyster Perpetual but an Oyster Precision. "Perpetual" would indicate that it's an automatic watch which it is not. Just wanted to let you know. Beautiful watch!

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you so much for the correction I always appreciate it🙏🙏 when I make these watch identification mistakes. I have lots to learn in the ROLEX world.

[@bombora69WA]

I always head there when in Tokyo. Always tons of stuff.

[@WatchFanHenry]

It’s nice to know that I’m preaching to the converted😎😎. Thank you for watching my video and leaving the comment. I much appreciate it, and happy watch collecting.

[@cd1934]

I will visit that shop!, with an open mind!, it’s hard to find a sincere shop to buy a watch!, all I found is they think about making money on nothing !, thanks for your sincere reply!, again thanks .

[@disdanny]

I’m going to Japan soon and I want to get a good watch but I’m not too familiar either them lol. Any advice on a first time buyer?

[@arexcrooke9125]

Do you know if this shop ships internationally? Enjoying your videos!

[@WatchFanHenry]

I believe there are some Japanese high-end Rolex watch sellers active on eBay but I’ve never been able to reconcile those businesses to the bricks and mortar businesses that I’ve seen during my visits to Japan. Actually, I probably would say it’s not the case .. because one dealer on eBay I sent him a message before I went to Japan asking if I could go to his shop to personally see the watches he had listed on ebay, and he responded that they were Internet only and didn’t have a bricks and mortar store. From my memory, I did not see websites advertised in any of these shops that I visited so I don’t think it’s a big revenue source for them to be online. Their business is old-school bricks and mortar … with people walking into the stores and making purchases. This is my gut feel to answer to your question. It’s a great question. Thank you so much for asking it.

[@stemikger]

Good point, I doubt they are making vintage watches, but my fear is franken watches. I just don't know enough to be able to tell if that is that case. I got burned on ebay buying vintage and ended up with a franken

[@WatchFanHenry]

To avoid Franken watches, you could hire another shop to inspect a watch that you might be looking at .. this is my best advice really. I personally didn’t feel the need to do this, but of course everybody has their own tolerance levels. In my opinion, it would be very easy to make this sort of an arrangement.

[@JustinxCharles]

Hey I appreciate the content that you are putting out as it is really informative. But when 5 minutes of the video (more than half the video) is on your face and not on the watches that viewers came to see, makes the content not as great as it could be. Just for future videos because you're channel is really unique and I feel like your extensive camera time is taking away from that.

[@charlesli7032]

Would they service the watches before selling them?

[@spamham1976]

Do you know if he has any 1976 Rolex watches?

[@WatchFanHenry]

My knowledge isn’t that fine tuned that I can identify specifically 1976 Rolex watches from his inventory. But I think most of his tags indicate approximate year of each watch so if you scrub through the video, you might be able to deduce if he has any 1976 pieces. As a sidenote, the model 6694 Rolex that I bought from him in 2019, is a 1977 manual wind and that’s a significant for me for personal reasons so it was a lovely find. so I’m sure you can easily find a 1976 Rolex in nice shape if you were to visit Tokyo and do the legwork.

[@caseywai]

Would have been great if you gave the address or name of shop in your description 😊

[@WatchFanHenry]

Actually, in my video, I hold the business card of this shop up on the screen so that you can have the full details of the shop’s name and location. If you’re familiar with how to use Google maps or a similar map application, you will easily be able to find the shop. The address is written in Japanese on the business card so even I do not know the exact address I rely on a map application to find the shop based on the name written in English characters.

[@M10PSUJ]

Spotted a speed master professional for $2700. The weak Yen is creating some insane prices for these watches!

[@WatchFanHenry]

Yes, the Japanese Yen is very depressed because of the recession in Japan. Japan recently dropped from the world’s third largest economy to being the world’s fourth largest economy behind China. It was in the media just last week. I don’t know much about the Omega Speedmaster (other than it is a great watch) but the one that you saw for $2700 .. was that a relatively new watch?

[@colmmooney5118]

Hi Henry, super videos keep up the good work. I’m looking your assistance I would like to purchase two Rolex watches his and hers first time buying Rolexes. My budget is about €5000, which one of those shops in Japan. Would you recommend I appreciate your help in advance Kindregards Colm

[@WatchFanHenry]

Hello Colm, I thank you so much for watching my video and leaving your comment. I really appreciate it. Yes with a €5000 budget you could easily get to 2 vintage Rooex watches at this recommended vintage shop for you and your female friend. It’s definitely achievable. For the men’s side of the equation I would probably recommend a watch like the one that I bought back in 2019 for myself, it was a 1977 manual wind Rolex Oysterdate 6694 with a black face and gold hands, which is really a lovely piece. On my most recent visit of December, 2023, they didn’t have the black face 6694 in stock, but they did have other 6694 versions in stock as you can see in the video. I must admit I’m not knowledgable in the area of ladies Rolex watches. One day I’ll learn more about them as my brain space allows. I think you would have to go to the shop yourself one day and see what they have in stock at that time. I should also say that there are heavily stocked vintage Rolex shops over at Nankano Broadway as shown in my other video. But I’ve not personally dealt with those shops. Yet. I have had other people ask if I can help them get watches, in time I hope to be able to do this. The cogs in my brain are giving this very serious thought.

[@paulschumacker9901]

I’m confused - I thought Rolex watches labeled “perpetual” were called that because they are self-winding automatic movements. Why is yours called a perpetual if it’s a manual wind watch?

[@pcshopny]

Are there authorized Rolex dealers?? How do you verify authenticity??

[@davidpearce8132]

Isn’t the cyclops meant to be over the date window ?!?!

[@WatchFanHenry]

I think it is supposed to be over the date number.

[@Radio_Silver]

I'm a fan of Seiko watches. I really want to fly to 🎌🎌Japan 🎌🎌 and purchase some (a lot of) vintage Seiko watches there. Unfortunately, I think I'm going to have a problem with "#hitty and curiously" customs here in Indonesia.

[@WatchFanHenry]

You will definitely find a huge selection of very nice Seiko watches when you visit Japan, both brand, new models and slightly used and vintage models. I’m guessing the prices will be the best in the world, but I’m sorry you’ll have to deal with customs when you get to your home country, which is no different than my bringing watches into Canada.

[@micosan]

Where in Japan should I go If I want to buy a pile of cheaper good condition Seikos?

[@WatchFanHenry]

I still think your best bet would probably be Nakano Broadway because there’s a lot of watch shops there .. and many of them sell all the other brands. It’s not just for Rolex.

[@micosan]

@@WatchFanHenry Did my first Japan trip in January and started my watch collection with a nice vintage Omega about a month ago. I was just wondering if Tokyo has more touristy prices on watches, or is it about the same anywhere? Im going to go to Japan again next year so might as well fill my suitcase with snacks and watches next year. I almost enjoy picking a watch apart more than wearing it. Even got all the gear to service my own watches now. 😅 Nice videos btw!

[@JR-bt5dy]

Prices seem a bit high for condition of the watches. A resale shop style . Those are nice to visit if you can negotiate I guess.

[@WatchFanHenry]

May I ask, where do you observe better prices on vintage Rolex watches as I’m curious to know your advice. I’ve not seen better prices in Europe nor in North America, but my eyes aren’t everywhere .. so keen to hear your comments.

[@arielguevara4106]

Solo recomendarías la compra de ROLEX Vintage? O de algunas marcas internacionales, por ejemplo IWC u Omega para comprar en Japón. Saludos desde México

[@nicholas95100]

Do they offer tax exemption?

[@finlandlife]

Yes they had Taxfree

[@WatchFanHenry]

If you look at the signs showing the prices for all watches in my videos, the lowest price is in invariably the tax-free price, which is only available to non-Japanese foreigners. The higher price is invariably the tax inclusive price for local Japanese. To purchase a watch in Japan at the lower tax-free rate, you will need to bring your actual passport with you. Please note: a photocopy of your passport or even a photo of your passport will be unacceptable to the shop. I had to return to my hotel by subway to pick up the passport from the safe, and bring it back to the shop to complete my watch purchase.

[@darroncrick9993]

Why no pics of his wonderful cats?

[@WatchFanHenry]

Maybe next time😀😀

[@DrEproz1236]

I am wondering are the prices negotiable ?

[@WatchFanHenry]

I have never tried to negotiate prices in Japan as I do not believe that price negotiation is part of the Japanese culture. My modus operandi is to look for a watch at a price that is agreeable to me, and then I purchase it. That’s just how I do things in Japan. That said, I would not frown upon anybody taking a different approach to see how it goes.

[@simplydell2152]

❤👏👍

[@bidipbo]

Ref. 6649 is an Oyster PRECISION - not 'Perpetual'.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you for the correction.. a few have told me of my error.

[@SilverSergeant]

Didn't I see an Air King on that shelf?

[@WatchFanHenry]

No, not in this video, but you’ll see them in my other Tokyo video .. the previous one.

[@Thommadura]

Perpetual refers to so called AUTOMATIC watches - not the Manual Wind watches.

[@WatchFanHenry]

Thank you for the correction. My 6694 is an “Oysterdate Precision” not “Perpetual” as you rightly point out.

[@1010WatchArt]

Can Non-Japanese person buy Rolex from the Authorized dealer in Japan ? Have you tried? Please let me know

[@WatchFanHenry]

Yes, I tried it at Rolex AD shops at airports in Japan over the years .. and never had success. I’m sure they’d be quite happy to sell to a non-Japanese person if they had watches to sell.

[@cd1934]

I know the Japanese market!, and the prices are definitely dropping !, but they have a long way to goooooo!, most Japanese DON’T wear Watches!, and the market is to attract the tourists!, be careful !, most of watches are money grab!, and they don’t overvalue the watches for resale ⚠️ most will require an expensive overhaul 🤫

[@WatchFanHenry]

What you are saying, may very well be 100 percent true at other Japanese vintage watch shops. But every watch that is sold by this shop is extensively overhauled by the shop. I know this from my own personal experience with the Rolex 6694 that I bought there in 2019, is still running absolutely immaculately. The nice thing about this shop is that I know them, and I know their work, and that’s worth a lot of comfort when making a purchase here.

[@paulashby-s7q]

Facts

[@stuartkennedy4570]

Of course you have to factor in the tax bringing it back to the USA

[@andrelousada]

That store is so overpriced!

[@WatchFanHenry]

I’m no expert but I thought his older vintage Rooex watches from the 70s and 80s were quite reasonable .. like in the $2000 to $3000 USD range. And for professionally serviced vintage Rolex watches, from a trusted seller, I personally feel these would be wiser purchases than a random purchase off eBay or Chrono 24. Just my personal opinion of course ..

[@andrelousada]

@@WatchFanHenry I meant that its possible to find other stores in Tokyo with better prices.

[@JetFlix]

Absolutely ... there are many many second hand watch shops in Tokyo and most will stock Rolex but they are spread out around the city. But you will find a few in the Ueno shopping area but I have not had the time to visit them one by one to survey the situation. That will be a good idea for my next visit. @@andrelousada