"WIS Tour" in Tokyo

[acaixguard]

I just returned from a family trip to Tokyo, Japan, where I purchased the SD4K due to the weaker Yen. Even though there was much else to do, I surely had to check out as many watches as I could, and thought I would share some pics and observations along the way. A number of stores kindly request not to photograph individual watches, so I didn't get as many closeups as I would have liked.

The first few AD's I visited were the major department stores like Takashimaya and Mitsukoshi. Extremely limited selection of Rolex sport models, especially in stainless steel. I believe the only sport model I saw out of all the department stores I visited was a Sea Dweller at Matsuya in Ginza.

I then made my way to Lexia Ginza, where I purchased the SD4K. No discounts of course, but they didn't charge a service fee for the tax refund, so I got the entire 8% back. The only other SS model I saw a non-date SubC. They had a sprinkling of gold GMT/Subs and Daytona. They asked me not to photograph inside the store, so I only got a shot of the outside...


A few days later, I was back in Ginza, and spent more time visiting some of the other watch shops you can find on the same street as Lexia.

First was The Hour Glass. VERY nice store. Can easily spend a good part of the day here. They pretty much only sell the more prestigious brands.






Inside The Hour Glass...


Yes, that's a cocktail bar you see in the far corner...


One room for Patek...


The 5227G, which happens to be my favorite current Calatrava...


Section for Lange...



Small AP section...


JLC case...


My wife trying on 2 different Reverso Duettos, which is the watch she's currently interested in (hopefully real soon)...





Continued in the next post...

[acaixguard]

Walking further down the street, you will encounter a variety of manufacturer boutique stores. Here are just a few...

A. Lange...



IWC...




I forgot to photograph the IWC that caught my eye the most, but it was a limited edition Big Pilot in rose gold.

There are a bunch of other boutique shops along the same street such as Omega, Hublot, Panerai, etc, but I didn't go in those.

At Tenshodo, which is on one of the main streets that run through Ginza, my wife tried on another JLC Reverso Duetto...



Tenshodo had a decent selection of JLC, and a small section for VC as well.

And had to do a wrist shot in one of the major intersections in Ginza. That's Wako, a very exclusive department store, in the background...


Quark in Ginza. An ok sized collection, kinda pricy. They had a few interesting models.

Sub 5514 Comex...


Daytona 6262, which looks to me like a Paul Newman version...


Made a stop at Evance a few doors down, but didn't get any pictures. A decent selection of new and used Rolexes, and a small sprinkling of the holy trinity watches.

I also stopped by the VC boutique, also a few doors down from Quark. Didn't get any pictures, but got to handle an Overseas Chrono.

A few days later, I was in Shibuya and stopped by Houseki Hiroba. Didn't spend a lot of time there, but they have a very nice selection of new and used watches of all kinds.

View coming out of the elevator. Pretty much all new Rolexes you see in the case straight ahead...


Wall display case of mostly used Rolexes...



And that pretty much wraps up the watches I saw. I did stop by the watch sections of most of the major department stores, but, as mentioned above, very limited inventory of sport Rolexes.

[tigerpac]

Very cool, thanks

[nick c]

Wow beautiful watches thanks for sharing

[Gaijin]

Wow, awesome! Did you make it to Nakano to Jack Road and Kame Kichi?

[Marcela]

Wonderful report, thank you for taking the time to share.
How did your wife feel about Duetto?

[R Douglas]

I like that 5514 Comex, looks to be in wonderful condition.

[acaixguard]

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to Jack Road or Kame Kichi. Hopefully the next time I am in Tokyo, I can try to do that.

My wife loves the Duetto. Both her and I feel it's the perfect size for her. Her current watch is the Cartier Tank Francaise, so the JLC wears similarly. She is petite and is not a fan of the big watch look on her.

My wife's current watch (overlapping on my SD4K), taken on the Shinkansen en route to Kyoto...

[PJ S]

And not a Grand Seiko or Credor in sight.

[acaixguard]

Originally Posted by PJ S

And not a Grand Seiko or Credor in sight.

Good point...totally forgot about those.

[acaixguard]

Also, my uncle has an interesting piece he showed me. A Rolex pocket watch he picked up many years ago, dated likely to the 1940s. If anyone knows more about this particular piece, please let me know.

[daytonaTBR]

Thanks for the report. Sounds like a great trip

[topcat30093]

Many thanks for taking the time to put together an excellent photo report :)

Maybe go back soon and get one of those Duo's for your wife and take some more photos :)

[jjnd08]

Great pictures; thanks for sharing!

[jsft98]

Nice report and photos.
Ginza is a nice place for watch enthusiasts!

There is another store named NJ Time that has a good selection of new and used watches as well as vintage pieces: Tudor 7032, Explorer with cream dial, 5513, 1665 and couple of grand seiko (VFA full with box and paper as well as high beat 36k). The store manager is absolutely nice person to discuss with.

Thank you as well for your tips, I ended up to buy my SD4K at Lexia too.

BTW the JLC reverso looks very nice on your wife's wrist. That will be the next one ;-)

Sent from my GT-N7105 using Tapatalk

[jon_jon]

Thanks for sharing a photo tour of Tokyo watch stores. The Hour Glass Ginza is a nice store to visit.

[Xenophon]

Great pics & report. Cheers

[hchj]

Nice report! Japan is one of the best places to buy rolex

[benlee]

Thanks for sharing

[THC]

love the pocket watch... Check that thing out and find out what you have there. Great picture story too, thanks

[joli160]

Nice thread, thanks

[kilyung]

Very nice. Get her the JLC this Christmas. It's a fantastic watch.

[nick c]

Great pics and watches thanks for sharing

[Wing-Co]

Ta.

[Hairdude1]

Great pics!