Recommended vintage Rolex dealers in Hong Kong and Tokyo

[nealjyu]

Any honest vintage watch dealers you recommend dealing with in these areas? Looking out for a chapter ring glossy gilt dial 1016. I live in Hong Kong/ Philippines and go to Tokyo quite often hence looking for dealers only in these areas. Thanks in advance 🍻

[IS2000]

I would give a visit to Quark in Tokyo for their vintage Rolex selections.

[ADINVA]

The Vintage Concept in Central is a shop that I would visit. Drop in and have a chat with the guys there. While it is good to be cautious, I find the folks in The Vintage Concept more transparent and honest than those in Kwong Wah Street.

[Tensai]

USA dealers have better vintage at better prices. Cheers.

[Incroyable12]

There are a bunch of vintage dealers clustered in the CKE Shopping Mall next to Chunking Mansions.

[yama4ta]

'Nakano Broadway' in Nakano, Tokyo, has many watch shops.

[carwashchris]

Check out craft and Taylor web site , Cam the owner has a list of recommendations for both these city. On the other hand I have bought from johnson 167 and BYO vintage.they both are in IG. Happy hunting.

Chris

Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk

[swish77]

Originally Posted by yama4ta

'Nakano Broadway' in Nakano, Tokyo, has many watch shops.

This is THE place to go in Tokyo. Hundreds of vintage and classic Rolexes on display. Prices are a little high, but the selection is incredible.

[LeBapt]

The best would be for you to check out Craft & Tailored website (or app) to get the best insights.

From my experience, Nakano in Tokyo is the place to go because you "have them all" under the same roof. I have been 3 months ago after having religiously followed C+T buyer's guide and Nakano still is the best to me.

I live in Hong Kong so it's easier for me to recommend you some places:

Kowloon side:
- Arcades in Mong Kok (where London Watch is) and you will have other shops to look at. Including the one from Johnson's business partners. Do not go on Sunday.
- Building next to Chunking Mansion has become disappointing. Most of the dealers have left or are on site when they please. I don't recommend.

Island:
- Vintage Concept in Central, not bad but steep. Just good for window shopping to me.
- Berne Horology in Central, nice shop with not only rolex and a lot of vintages pieces. Worth a visit.
- Raymond on Pottinger Street. Nice and very knowledgeable chap. Very small selection and closes at 4pm daily but worth a visit. He might bring what you are looking for on the following day if he has it.
- Times Watch in Causeway Bay. The only shop remaining in the building that's worth to check out. But the staff behind the counter are very rude and pushy.
- Causeway Place in Causeway Bay. Go 2nd floor and look for a small shop named BYO. Very good prices and good stuff to choose from.

If you are in need of a strap, do go to MisterChrono in Central. You will find Mark behind the counter. One of the most knowledgeable guy I have met. You can go there for a chat if you want, I am sure he won't mind if you are passionate.

Golden rule is, never go anywhere before 1pm as most of them open late.

To give you an idea of the HK scene in terms of watches, look for uptickwatchreviews on youtube and check out his videos. Better than words.

[Incroyable12]

There's also a dealer called 66 HK Watches in CKE Mansions who has Khanjar stuff if that's what you're into.

HK also has very specific taste when it comes to watches; they tend to like post-80s stuff or heavily jewelled watches. You won't find really vintage stuff because there isn't much of a local market. Japan is much better in that regard.

[nealjyu]

Thanks for the replies! Most of the places listed, I've been to. Am curious about which dealers I can trust when buying my first vintage watch ��

As much as prices and selection are better in the USA, I don't live there so that option is out

[LeBapt]

Originally Posted by nealjyu

Thanks for the replies! Most of the places listed, I've been to. Am curious about which dealers I can trust when buying my first vintage watch ��

As much as prices and selection are better in the USA, I don't live there so that option is out

All can be trusted. Just do your due diligence and bring your own magnifier with UV lamp if you can

The only ones I would be careful with are Ivan Watches (Central) and 1954 (Mong Kok Arcade).

[Mk2rick]

For HK, stay clear of Ivan Watches. They sold me a relumed 16710 purporting it to be original tritium. Wasted so much of my time trying to get it returned and refunded (which they did in the end).

[interestedwatcher]

Originally Posted by Tensai

USA dealers have better vintage at better prices. Cheers.

Correct.

Having said that, Berne Horology is great, and Quinton is a gentleman.

[discreetpeacock]

Recommend also goodolddays in Causeway Bay. Excellent selection and the gentlemen that run that spot are detailed, kind and great to deal with.

[chriskris]

thanks for the heads up, you mind showing the pics of the relumed 16710? thanks

Originally Posted by Mk2rick

For HK, stay clear of Ivan Watches. They sold me a relumed 16710 purporting it to be original tritium. Wasted so much of my time trying to get it returned and refunded (which they did in the end).

[danku]

Originally Posted by LeBapt

The best would be for you to check out Craft & Tailored website (or app) to get the best insights.

From my experience, Nakano in Tokyo is the place to go because you "have them all" under the same roof. I have been 3 months ago after having religiously followed C+T buyer's guide and Nakano still is the best to me.

I live in Hong Kong so it's easier for me to recommend you some places:

Kowloon side:
- Arcades in Mong Kok (where London Watch is) and you will have other shops to look at. Including the one from Johnson's business partners. Do not go on Sunday.
- Building next to Chunking Mansion has become disappointing. Most of the dealers have left or are on site when they please. I don't recommend.

Island:
- Vintage Concept in Central, not bad but steep. Just good for window shopping to me.
- Berne Horology in Central, nice shop with not only rolex and a lot of vintages pieces. Worth a visit.
- Raymond on Pottinger Street. Nice and very knowledgeable chap. Very small selection and closes at 4pm daily but worth a visit. He might bring what you are looking for on the following day if he has it.
- Times Watch in Causeway Bay. The only shop remaining in the building that's worth to check out. But the staff behind the counter are very rude and pushy.
- Causeway Place in Causeway Bay. Go 2nd floor and look for a small shop named BYO. Very good prices and good stuff to choose from.

If you are in need of a strap, do go to MisterChrono in Central. You will find Mark behind the counter. One of the most knowledgeable guy I have met. You can go there for a chat if you want, I am sure he won't mind if you are passionate.

Golden rule is, never go anywhere before 1pm as most of them open late.

To give you an idea of the HK scene in terms of watches, look for uptickwatchreviews on youtube and check out his videos. Better than words.

I am so glad I came across your post !

I am recently contemplating getting a vintage Rolex (either a 5513 mk V or 16750) due to being closer to my birth year, and even though I always walk around Mong Kok at kwong wah street and visited Ivan watches, I am surprised your post mentioned that I should be wary of Ivan watches.

Can you elaborate further if you don’t mind? I thought he was one of the more publicised vintage guys around. I even recently looked at one 5513 with box and papers but now I guess I shouldn’t consider them.

How about London watches and what do you think about them? One of the shops I like is PnF times, but will be great to hear your thoughts on these.

It will be very helpful to have a honest dealer that could help.

Alternatively, maybe it’s better off if I go to Tokyo to source for one instead?

Thanks again for your helpful post.

[danku]

Originally Posted by LeBapt

The best would be for you to check out Craft & Tailored website (or app) to get the best insights.

From my experience, Nakano in Tokyo is the place to go because you "have them all" under the same roof. I have been 3 months ago after having religiously followed C+T buyer's guide and Nakano still is the best to me.

I live in Hong Kong so it's easier for me to recommend you some places:

Kowloon side:
- Arcades in Mong Kok (where London Watch is) and you will have other shops to look at. Including the one from Johnson's business partners. Do not go on Sunday.
- Building next to Chunking Mansion has become disappointing. Most of the dealers have left or are on site when they please. I don't recommend.

Island:
- Vintage Concept in Central, not bad but steep. Just good for window shopping to me.
- Berne Horology in Central, nice shop with not only rolex and a lot of vintages pieces. Worth a visit.
- Raymond on Pottinger Street. Nice and very knowledgeable chap. Very small selection and closes at 4pm daily but worth a visit. He might bring what you are looking for on the following day if he has it.
- Times Watch in Causeway Bay. The only shop remaining in the building that's worth to check out. But the staff behind the counter are very rude and pushy.
- Causeway Place in Causeway Bay. Go 2nd floor and look for a small shop named BYO. Very good prices and good stuff to choose from.

If you are in need of a strap, do go to MisterChrono in Central. You will find Mark behind the counter. One of the most knowledgeable guy I have met. You can go there for a chat if you want, I am sure he won't mind if you are passionate.

Golden rule is, never go anywhere before 1pm as most of them open late.

To give you an idea of the HK scene in terms of watches, look for uptickwatchreviews on youtube and check out his videos. Better than words.

I am so glad I came across your post !

I am recently contemplating getting a vintage Rolex (either a 5513 mk V or 16750) due to being closer to my birth year, and even though I always walk around Mong Kok at kwong wah street and visited Ivan watches, I am surprised your post mentioned that I should be wary of Ivan watches.

Can you elaborate further if you don’t mind? I thought he was one of the more publicised vintage guys around. I even recently looked at one 5513 with box and papers but now I guess I shouldn’t consider them.

How about London watches and what do you think about them? One of the shops I like is PnF times, but will be great to hear your thoughts on these.

It will be very helpful to have a honest dealer that could help.

Alternatively, maybe it’s better off if I go to Tokyo to source for one instead?

Thanks again for your helpful post.

[LeBapt]

A 16750 might be a bit tricky to get. I don't see them that often and they usually are not in very good condition considering the price (too polished for my taste). 5513 are way easier to come by and it would be less of a trouble to find.

Regarding Ivan don't get me wrong I am no saying that he only sells trash, but you should do your homework prior to buying anything from there and check everything yourself. When I was less knowledgeable I almost bought him a 16613 that was extremely overpolished and overpriced so that's more what I am talking about. So I would not bother to go anymore and now I privilege small scale dealers who often have good stuff to sell at fair prices and it's easier to build a relation with them (especially if you are a foreigner).

London watch is totally fine and PnF as well, but as for any other places, do not only rely on the staff's advice and opinion.

Before going to Tokyo you must take a look at this and try to pop by in the morning (I go there every month) https://www.hkwgs.com/home2.html

Last but not least, you can try TOKIOKA on 22 Mody Road, the place looks a bit dodgy but you have to go in and ask them to see the watches. They will show you boxes of everything. They are all Japanese and bring in watches from Japan on a very regular basis so you can ask them to source something for you.

[danku]

Originally Posted by LeBapt

A 16750 might be a bit tricky to get. I don't see them that often and they usually are not in very good condition considering the price (too polished for my taste). 5513 are way easier to come by and it would be less of a trouble to find.

Regarding Ivan don't get me wrong I am no saying that he only sells trash, but you should do your homework prior to buying anything from there and check everything yourself. When I was less knowledgeable I almost bought him a 16613 that was extremely overpolished and overpriced so that's more what I am talking about. So I would not bother to go anymore and now I privilege small scale dealers who often have good stuff to sell at fair prices and it's easier to build a relation with them (especially if you are a foreigner).

London watch is totally fine and PnF as well, but as for any other places, do not only rely on the staff's advice and opinion.

Before going to Tokyo you must take a look at this and try to pop by in the morning (I go there every month)

Last but not least, you can try TOKIOKA on 22 Mody Road, the place looks a bit dodgy but you have to go in and ask them to see the watches. They will show you boxes of everything. They are all Japanese and bring in watches from Japan on a very regular basis so you can ask them to source something for you.

Thank you so much for your kind advice LeBapt, very helpful.

As for the HKWGS, I believe you have to pay a membership fee for early access? Or do you usually go as a non-member but with later access? I always wanted to take a look but given that it's always on weekdays seem quite tough for me to do so...

Speaking of a 16750, I just walked past London Watch yesterday and saw these samples:











Wondering if these cases look like they have been professionally refinished before?

Apologies for the many questions.

[LeBapt]

All of these watches have been sitting there for quite a long time actually. You can check their online shop on carousell and you will find them for sale for over a year ago...

If I were you I would take as many pictures of the watches as possible and the GMT gurus of the forum will be able to help you because it's complicated to tell with just your pictures above and the case itself is not the only thing to take into account (hands, bezel, dial, etc.)

HKWGS works with a member card that you pay once only, then you only pay each time the entrance fee mentioned in the link I provided. PM time is also fine to go but later than 3pm I would say.

[danku]

Originally Posted by LeBapt

All of these watches have been sitting there for quite a long time actually. You can check their online shop on carousell and you will find them for sale for over a year ago...

If I were you I would take as many pictures of the watches as possible and the GMT gurus of the forum will be able to help you because it's complicated to tell with just your pictures above and the case itself is not the only thing to take into account (hands, bezel, dial, etc.)

HKWGS works with a member card that you pay once only, then you only pay each time the entrance fee mentioned in the link I provided. PM time is also fine to go but later than 3pm I would say.

Thanks LeBapt, wish I knew you earlier - thank you for guiding me through this. These watches sitting in the shop for over a year do not sit well with me...

[swaini3]

Nothing wrong with watches sitting in a store for a while..... its most probably the price, thats all.