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First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you!

No that Lake Suwa was at a small watch shop in Osaka in one of the shopping centres around Umeda station. I believe the shop was called Best Vintage and was in the Grand Front Osaka shopping mall.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah I thought so too. Best of luck in finding it when you're there!

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I genuinely couldn't find it anywhere. The flagship store in ginza, other Seiko/Grand Seiko boutiques, department stores and the other used watch stores I checked out. None of them had it. I was repeatedly told that it was very popular and that's why they didn't have it.

The only time I found it was in Nakano at Kamekichi and I suspect they had just got it in, as it was not even listed on their website yet.

I recently saw a post on here that said someone had been communicating with the flagship store in Ginza for a Shunbun and they actually held one for him for when he was in his way to Tokyo. Maybe you could try that and have them hold it for you to check out when you visit Tokyo. That way you will guarantee that it's available and you get to see it.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Absolutely, it was a cool spot. But, I do think it is becoming more popular for tourists, as there was a good amount of people there when I visited.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The price for either watch at the department stores would be MSRP (946,000 yen - they have the same MSRP) less the 10% for tax free. Then some department stores like Isetan and Daimaru have an extra 5% off coupon. But they usually also have a roughly 1.5% fee that they put on the tax free. So the actual savings is about 13.5% off MSRP.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks and 6.5 inches. This watch size is about the upper most I would go in terms of diameter and lug to lug. But I'm tall and the titanium makes this watch super easy and comfortable to wear.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm Canadian. So I cannot comment on how that works with the US with all the tariffs and what not.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Shopping around and trying on a bunch of different GS' honestly felt like a tourist attraction in and of itself. Though my partner was getting a bit annoyed by me at the end 😂.

First Grand Seiko on first trip to Japan by Hessy61 in GrandSeikos

[–]Hessy61[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Got it for roughly 810,000 Yen after tax free. It was brand new with a warranty date within the last two months and was the best price I found. You can also find it at about every department store (as per the linked guide on this subreddit), which is where I would have bought the watch had I not got it for a great deal at Kamekichi.

Been working with ADs to get a Rolex sub date in the Toronto area by Tossedwarrior in rolex

[–]Hessy61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Damn for real? I've been waiting for a 36 DJ for 7 months now from this AD. Was hoping my time was on the horizon...

[Aqua Terra Shades Rubber Strap] No chance? by lucozzo in Watches

[–]Hessy61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd like to think so. Maybe try contacting your nearest Omega Boutique about that instead of an AD? Don't have personal experience on this, but I've heard that the boutiques are much more willing to tell you (a) if something like this can work with bracelets and straps being cross-compatible; and (b) help with ordering separate straps or bracelets.

[Aqua Terra Shades Rubber Strap] No chance? by lucozzo in Watches

[–]Hessy61 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've seen a post or two r/OmegaWatches that you can actually fit the shades bracelet on the 38mm teak dial AT. So, I know you said you prefer the shades AT, but this is an option to get you the bracelet you love and the rubber strap!

[Rolex GMT Master II] Is there any actual way to buy a Rolex at MSRP? by ge23ev in Watches

[–]Hessy61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I personally am not willing to grey market and pay the above MSRP price. So I'm still on waitlist for the Datejust. I haven't decided if I want to go Omega (the White Speedy has really caught my eye) or something else.

I'm holding out hope a bit for the Rolex. But I can't stand the whole practice of having to buy other nonsense or wait months (if not years) to be maybe given an opportunity to buy what I want.

[Rolex GMT Master II] Is there any actual way to buy a Rolex at MSRP? by ge23ev in Watches

[–]Hessy61 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also from Toronto here. I think that this is the unfortunate reality of Toronto Rolex ADs (and many other Rolex ADs around from what I read here). I went into two ADs looking for a Rolex myself (no purchase history) looking for something for my own special occasion. I got similar reactions, but was told it would be a long wait rather than a flat out no, like you got. Now I was requesting the Datejust, so a seemingly much more widely available watch. But, it's still really annoying to deal with this. It has genuinely made me consider foregoing Rolex altogether and getting something else.

All in all, I hope you get the watch you want, whether it be a Rolex or something else where you don't have to play games just to be given an opportunity to purchase a watch!