Thoughts on Buying Rolex in Tokyo

[AD64]

Anyone got any experience/thoughts on buying a new ish Rolex in Tokyo, in particular the shop called Quark in the 888 building in the Ginza area -

Andrew

[AD64]

Just to add - went to main Rolex shop and Rolex dealer in dept store but no sports watches at all but the Quark store has 2018 Daytona and subs available at varying prices

[AD64]

Just to add - went to main Rolex shop and Rolex dealer in dept store but no sports watches at all but the Quark store has 2018 Daytona and subs available at varying prices

[Glaston]

I cannot help regarding the actual shop, but just to warn you that you will be libel to pay Tax on return to the UK.

If they have a SS Daytona, it might be worth it.

[AD64]

Thanks - is that if you choose to declare at the airport? (which of course I will)
I was more worried about fakes - the ss Daytona is roughly 14k in gbp so similar to uk but Sub is more reasonable price

[SlackBladder]

Glaston said:

I cannot help regarding the actual shop, but just to warn you that you will be libel to pay Tax on return to the UK.

If they have a SS Daytona, it might be worth it.

Only if you publish the fact.

[lostkiwi]

SlackBladder said:

Only if you publish the fact.

You'd be foolish not declare it.
Customs are pretty hot on that kind of thing these days and if caught you could well lose it (as someone I know did).

[SlackBladder]

lostkiwi said:

SlackBladder said:

Only if you publish the fact.

You'd be foolish not declare it.
Customs are pretty hot on that kind of thing these days and if caught you could well lose it (as someone I know did).

Are whoosh parrots allowed in the watch forum?

[lostkiwi]

SlackBladder said:

lostkiwi said:

SlackBladder said:

Only if you publish the fact.

You'd be foolish not declare it.
Customs are pretty hot on that kind of thing these days and if caught you could well lose it (as someone I know did).

Are whoosh parrots allowed in the watch forum?

Only if not libelous

[squareflops]

How does the declaration thing work? If the OP is returning through customs with a new watch, box, papers and a receipt from Tokyo then I imagine that would get picked up on. If you buy one without said paraphernalia and just put it on your wrist how would they ever know? I may be missing something.

Sorry if slightly OT

[TiggerBits]

SlackBladder said:

Only if you publish the fact.

Yep. Best thing to do is to take a very cheap watch with you and leave it there. Wear the Rolex back, and have the shop post the box

[audidoody]

Is it likely the wrapped package would be x-rayed and contents examined? "Oh look a Rolex box without a Rolex. Let's write to the addressee".

[GT03ROB]

squareflops said:

How does the declaration thing work? If the OP is returning through customs with a new watch, box, papers and a receipt from Tokyo then I imagine that would get picked up on. If you buy one without said paraphernalia and just put it on your wrist how would they ever know? I may be missing something.

Sorry if slightly OT

It would only get picked up, if you got stopped by customs...... chances of that next to zero.

[AD64]

So final price for March 18 unworn submariner date is £6700 (after 8% tax deduction) in Tokyo (watch probably originally from Singapore) or £7300 average in uk on chrono 24 - or I could try to find an AD with an open list in uk and wait for not sure how long...I’ve now visited 5 different Rolex shops in Japan (1 main shop and 4 official dealers in dept stores) and all have no ss sports watches in stock

[TiggerBits]

lostkiwi said:

You'd be foolish not declare it.
Customs are pretty hot on that kind of thing these days and if caught you could well lose it (as someone I know did).

Crap, how many times have you ever been stopped by security in an airport in order they can look at your watch, it DOESN'T happen. Numerous amounts of people wear expansive watches when travelling through customs, and if you decide to carry more than one then questions may be asked. Like I said, wear a disposable one going out, and then throw it away. Wear the real one back and have the box and papers posted. Simple and safe

[critical mass]

squareflops said:

How does the declaration thing work? If the OP is returning through customs with a new watch, box, papers and a receipt from Tokyo then I imagine that would get picked up on. If you buy one without said paraphernalia and just put it on your wrist how would they ever know? I may be missing something.

Sorry if slightly OT

1. The onus will be on you to prove that the appropriate taxes have been paid.
2. The chances of being pulled over are minimal. At the end of the day it all depends on your moral position with respect to tax evasion.

[GlenMH]

AD64 said:

So final price for March 18 unworn submariner date is £6700 (after 8% tax deduction) in Tokyo (watch probably originally from Singapore) or £7300 average in uk on chrono 24 - or I could try to find an AD with an open list in uk and wait for not sure how long...I’ve now visited 5 different Rolex shops in Japan (1 main shop and 4 official dealers in dept stores) and all have no ss sports watches in stock

Have you tried the BIC camera store in Akihabara or the one of the upper floors of Don Quixote in Roppongi?

[AD64]

Thanks for info - will try the Rolex store in Roppongi when I’m back in Tokyo but won’t hold my hopes too high - decided I only want to buy through Official Rolex retailer as it’s my first Rolex purchase so will have to go on a uk AD list somewhere and play the long waiting game

[Mark83]

AD64 said:

So final price for March 18 unworn submariner date is £6700 (after 8% tax deduction) in Tokyo (watch probably originally from Singapore) or £7300 average in uk on chrono 24 - or I could try to find an AD with an open list in uk and wait for not sure how long...I’ve now visited 5 different Rolex shops in Japan (1 main shop and 4 official dealers in dept stores) and all have no ss sports watches in stock

I paid MSRP for my Sub date from a UK AD. Wait was about one month. I’d never consider travelling thousands of miles to pay more and then have tax/border issues.

[AD64]

I’m thinking the same now - was it a recent purchase? the 2 uk AD’s I tried said their list was closed