A Trip to Tokyo
Dec 2, 2016 5:04:56 GMT -8
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Post by jkchua on Dec 2, 2016 5:04:56 GMT -8
I had an another opportunity to take a short vacation to Japan recently, but this time with the Family. So I didn't expect to make time for watch hunting, but my smile was like from left to my right ears when the missus told me I was not going to PuroLand (Hello Kitty) with them and I can have my own time 🎉🎉🎉
This greeted me and my kid at the airport. Is it a sign?
Truth be told, I flipped most of my Seikos and joined the dark side (swiss). Not expensive ones though, entry level one only and a vintage too. So honestly I went to hunt for a non-Seiko, sorry. Will not post pics of non-Seikos though as this is a Japanese forum.
Wore this old timer on my right wrist though and set it to Japan time 😉
First day as we arrived in Shinjuku. Game was on while the missus and kids were looking at a couple of boutiques and ¥100 shops 😁
Bic Camera was the first stop
Next was on a small preowned watch store
On to another small shop
Next day, Akihabara. The day of the split. After breakfast at Denny's, walked around with the fam for few and there they go. So game face was on..
Big Stores
On to the small shops
Wait! Am I dreaming?!
What the?!
Store keeper told me that the watch didn't work and needs an overhaul. Shish! Wrong hands and movement needs servicing. Sorry old timer, price tag didn't deserve haggling. Moving on..
One last look.. nope, sorry
Ueno didn't have too much Seikos to offer so went on to the much talked about, Nakano..
The mall
Vintage stuff or toys at the front display don't mean they don't have watches. Check them out too
I went to a lot of preowned watch stores in Nakano Broadway. Most have swiss but with a couple of Grand Seikos too. Last stop is Jack Road..
Was set on getting this piece but store keeper told me 'this area JUNK'. Okaaay..
Nothing, nada, no purchase. But I did saw an interesting one in Shibuya store called Book Off. They had preowned stuff at the basement where I remember I was going to purchase a used G-Shock on my last visit. Watch was running in 2 second interval as I told the store keeper if I could have a big discount as the battery needed changing. She took it out and after a minute came out their stockroom and said 'This store can change in 3mins' Okaaay.. told her I'd come back for it and think about it.
Went back to out place and researched about the movement and was amazed by blogs about it. Sealed for 50yrs guaranteed? No kidding?! And more amazing specs about it. Kicking myself for not buying the watch 😡
Next day asked the missus where we were going, she answered Shibuya.. great!!! Shopping shopping and more shopping. I went to a department store called Tokyu Hands. As soon as I saw the watch section, dang! 10bar waterproof test and free polishing for ¥1500! Was supposed to be ¥2000+ with battery change but I told them the watch probably got a new one by now.
Went back to Book Off, checked the watch, talked about the tax free stuff and swipe the plastic please. It is pretty rough on the sides as I imagined it was owned by a youngster who's had too much fun after work and one night left somewhere, where it got picked up by someone and sold it to Book Off 😂
Here is the purchase, sorry for delaying. It's a Grand Seiko Quartz 9F62 mov't SBGX053 😉
It is pretty rough on the sides, maybe one of the reasons why I didn't pick it up right away.
Brought the watch straight to Tokyu Hands watch repair section. The elder watchmaker wasn't there and a youngster replaced. Asked him about the polishing and he didn't get a word I was saying. Elder man came out (relief). Told him I want this done by a Japanese as they are known very good watchmakers. He explained to me where he would do the polishing and would not touch the brushed areas.. perfect!
After 30mins I got the watch back. He was sorry not able to take out deep scratches but I told him how great he did with the watch. Excellent job 👍🏼
Took the one I was wearing off (non-seiko) and it is neglected up to now 😂
Bracelet is a little tight so I have it on leather at the moment and working something out that hopefully will get me extra links 😉
Last two days was horror! I was planning on going back for a couple more watches that I saw.. no, not the 62mas! 😂 Maybe the KS and a few affordables but my Arthritis attacked! Could barely walk. Slept half the time in the clinic in Disneyland. Wheelchaired my way through three airports 😂😂😂
So, overall not a bad trip. Happy with my purchase. Not an auto, and also a preowned one which I could afford most importantly 😉
If you made it through this part, thank you for reading about my amazing, painful, but great trip! 😁
John
This greeted me and my kid at the airport. Is it a sign?
Truth be told, I flipped most of my Seikos and joined the dark side (swiss). Not expensive ones though, entry level one only and a vintage too. So honestly I went to hunt for a non-Seiko, sorry. Will not post pics of non-Seikos though as this is a Japanese forum.
Wore this old timer on my right wrist though and set it to Japan time 😉
First day as we arrived in Shinjuku. Game was on while the missus and kids were looking at a couple of boutiques and ¥100 shops 😁
Bic Camera was the first stop
Next was on a small preowned watch store
On to another small shop
Next day, Akihabara. The day of the split. After breakfast at Denny's, walked around with the fam for few and there they go. So game face was on..
Big Stores
On to the small shops
Wait! Am I dreaming?!
What the?!
Store keeper told me that the watch didn't work and needs an overhaul. Shish! Wrong hands and movement needs servicing. Sorry old timer, price tag didn't deserve haggling. Moving on..
One last look.. nope, sorry
Ueno didn't have too much Seikos to offer so went on to the much talked about, Nakano..
The mall
Vintage stuff or toys at the front display don't mean they don't have watches. Check them out too
I went to a lot of preowned watch stores in Nakano Broadway. Most have swiss but with a couple of Grand Seikos too. Last stop is Jack Road..
Was set on getting this piece but store keeper told me 'this area JUNK'. Okaaay..
Nothing, nada, no purchase. But I did saw an interesting one in Shibuya store called Book Off. They had preowned stuff at the basement where I remember I was going to purchase a used G-Shock on my last visit. Watch was running in 2 second interval as I told the store keeper if I could have a big discount as the battery needed changing. She took it out and after a minute came out their stockroom and said 'This store can change in 3mins' Okaaay.. told her I'd come back for it and think about it.
Went back to out place and researched about the movement and was amazed by blogs about it. Sealed for 50yrs guaranteed? No kidding?! And more amazing specs about it. Kicking myself for not buying the watch 😡
Next day asked the missus where we were going, she answered Shibuya.. great!!! Shopping shopping and more shopping. I went to a department store called Tokyu Hands. As soon as I saw the watch section, dang! 10bar waterproof test and free polishing for ¥1500! Was supposed to be ¥2000+ with battery change but I told them the watch probably got a new one by now.
Went back to Book Off, checked the watch, talked about the tax free stuff and swipe the plastic please. It is pretty rough on the sides as I imagined it was owned by a youngster who's had too much fun after work and one night left somewhere, where it got picked up by someone and sold it to Book Off 😂
Here is the purchase, sorry for delaying. It's a Grand Seiko Quartz 9F62 mov't SBGX053 😉
It is pretty rough on the sides, maybe one of the reasons why I didn't pick it up right away.
Brought the watch straight to Tokyu Hands watch repair section. The elder watchmaker wasn't there and a youngster replaced. Asked him about the polishing and he didn't get a word I was saying. Elder man came out (relief). Told him I want this done by a Japanese as they are known very good watchmakers. He explained to me where he would do the polishing and would not touch the brushed areas.. perfect!
After 30mins I got the watch back. He was sorry not able to take out deep scratches but I told him how great he did with the watch. Excellent job 👍🏼
Took the one I was wearing off (non-seiko) and it is neglected up to now 😂
Bracelet is a little tight so I have it on leather at the moment and working something out that hopefully will get me extra links 😉
Last two days was horror! I was planning on going back for a couple more watches that I saw.. no, not the 62mas! 😂 Maybe the KS and a few affordables but my Arthritis attacked! Could barely walk. Slept half the time in the clinic in Disneyland. Wheelchaired my way through three airports 😂😂😂
So, overall not a bad trip. Happy with my purchase. Not an auto, and also a preowned one which I could afford most importantly 😉
If you made it through this part, thank you for reading about my amazing, painful, but great trip! 😁
John
