Worth trading up in Japan?

[ndls]

Hey all,

I’m heading to Tokyo in a few weeks and I was thinking of trading in my Explorer 1 for a GMT BLNR and paying the premium. Would it be a better move if I sold it by myself? I was hoping to do this at Jack Road. Anyone have experience with trading or selling a watch to grey dealers in Tokyo?

Thanks in advance!

-N

[sensui]

Definitely better selling yourself. The blnr premium is much higher in Japan. You may get a slightly better trade in in Japan but it's nowhere near as popular as the really popular Rolex sports like the blnr.

[79280_116520]

The premium in Japan on the hot watches are easily 20-25% more than what prices you usually see. Even with shops like Jack Road, the trade in-value won't be as high as you may assume.

Definitely trying doing a private sale and top off funds for the BLNR.

[Jackumi]

Blnr Prices are still going up here in Japan at the grey dealers. I just checked Jackroad site today for a brand new Blnr and they show 1,648,000Yen. Quark is even higher at 1,748,000Yen. No confidence you can negotiate lower for that watch. MSRP in Japan is 918,000Yen but I have never seen one at an AD here. Of course they will give you the 8%tax off if you show them your passport. Just for interest last year I bought a brand new TT GMT 116713LN at a grey dealer in Japan, and with tax off I paid 1,088,000Yen.

[exador]

Your Explorer 1 is worth about 550,000 JPY (6,560 CAD) as a trade-in @ JackRoad.

So if a new BLNR is 1,648,000 JPY (19,650 CAD) then you'll have to make up over 13,000 CAD difference

Or you could buy one from David SW for around 13,500 USD and keep your Explorer

[DJJon]

If in Japan check out the Grand Seikos. When in Rome......

[ndls]

Thank you all for the replies! Man, I had no idea what the prices were really like. That is insanity for a BLNR.

And quite honestly, I want to keep my explorer 1.

And yes...I’m highly considering a Grand Seiko. Absolutely beautiful pieces at a fair price.