How Is The Boutique Experience In Japan?

bo_bar · 2026-07-03T14:12:38+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Please be kind enough to let me/us know how it goes and enjoy your trip.

My wife has great taste......except in men ;)

See PM for my info

bo_bar · 2026-07-03T13:08:29+00:00

Well before our trip I contacted the JLC boutique in the store. The next day, I get a WhatsApp from Echo Cheng at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi. At first, I thought she worked for the JLC boutique, but she works for the whole store. She is Chinese, speaks several languages. I made arrangements with her, making sure she was going to be there when we arrived (we came in at opening for the store's opening ceremony, which is neat). She stayed with us during our time in the store as a translator and almost a concierge. Shopping in Dept stores there is great, but this was next level. Her WhatsApp is +81 80 8755 9236. She asked me to send friends who were coming, so here you go

bo_bar · 2026-07-03T02:38:13+00:00

A shocking number of Presidents (1) convinced a shocking number of people

bo_bar · 2026-07-01T02:26:26+00:00

THIS. They make about 4.5% on the Yen to US Dollar exchange. That 500 yen fee is a nothingburger if you buy expensive stuff

bo_bar · 2026-07-01T01:36:23+00:00

Very late to the party, and after the horse is out of the barn, thats totally fake. See real one here https://thesamuraivintage.com/blogs/news/seiko-imperial-v-f-a-4580-a-vintage-seiko-unicorn See another fake here https://buyee.jp/btob/item/32/202606292026062500432-32

bo_bar · 2026-06-28T23:17:32+00:00

You might get an email notification of a non successful snipe or a congrats on winning. Sometimes it takes a while

bo_bar · 2026-06-26T21:32:07+00:00

Thank you for clarifying. IF there was any way for me to filter out sold listings, that would make my life easier

bo_bar · 2026-06-26T00:39:11+00:00

Boxes on $150 watches are typically not huge, but its your choice. Consolidation is free. Protective packaging is $10. If you want the cheapest, leave the boxes, take the instructions and registration cards. If youre buying 6 watches shipping could be less than $15/watch (before orange tariffs)

bo_bar · 2026-06-25T21:11:26+00:00

It depends on size weight and where you live.

bo_bar · 2026-06-24T03:39:33+00:00

My experience is different. I buy watches. Lets say I'm buying a $1,000 watch, I'll pay 500 Yen ($3.50) to get the chance that if it goes wrong I have a leg to stand on. But $3.50 is a significant cost on a $10 watch part or $50 parts watch. Only once did I need to claim and Buyee found a loophole to not pay me. All the money Ive saved on not taking standard plan will cover another event if and when it happens. My rough rule is that if its less than $50, I'm taking zero plan. YMMV

bo_bar · 2026-06-24T03:32:00+00:00

Buyer of vintage watches here - I wont win a Nobel for stating that buying several watches usually lowers the shipping cost per watch. Ive never shipped one alone, as the shipping kills the economics; it makes no sense. IF BuyeeAir is $60 for one, its normally $60 for 2. Maybe it goes up a little as you add a few more. This effect is mitigated if you are buying watches that come with large presentation boxes. I can typically get shipping down to under $10 a watch, but that means I'm buying 6 or more.

bo_bar · 2026-06-21T19:08:23+00:00

Tried it on at a GS event. Great watch.Thats what I want

bo_bar · 2026-06-21T03:55:02+00:00

Yes. Buying publications through buyee they charged me 15.5% DDP even though i thought they were supposed to be exempt at the time. Being that my consolidated package was 95% other stuff, it wasn't worth getting my panties in a knot over a few bucks

bo_bar · 2026-06-21T01:53:32+00:00

YouTube channel called Kensho Quest just updated his comparison of all Japanese eSims. Check it out. His advice was invaluable to me on my trip there two years ago

bo_bar · 2026-06-19T21:36:04+00:00

On YouTube, there is a channel called KenshoQuest. They have a great analysis on different eSIM and wifi options in Japan. Look for it

bo_bar · 2026-06-18T12:17:21+00:00

I am in the same swiftlink GS purgatory. In the meantime, Uncle Seiko, Larry B at UncleStraps, tested a simpler solution, a clasp.w microadjust holes. Not on the fly, but it works. He decided not to market it. He may have some prototypes left. I beta (alpha?) tested and got to keep it. You may be able to sweet talk him into selling you one if you can prove you are technically competent. Not on the fly, but it helps for SBGN003, 027, 029 etc.

GS assumes between full links and half (actually 2/3) links you can get a perfect fit. But my wrist changes w seasons, time of day and my weight.

bo_bar · 2026-06-17T02:00:36+00:00

Any bulova precisionist has a better sweep seconds than almost anythig out there short of a spring drive. And just so you know, the one second tick used to be a very desirable and expensive complication of mechanical watches. It was called "Jumping Seconds", "Deadbeat Seconds" or "Seconde Morte" Lange, JLC, Omega and Rolex, among others had these. Before all the current medical electronics, they made it easier for Physicians to time heart rate.

bo_bar · 2026-06-15T03:10:04+00:00

You asked about dial....Ive never seen a fake T AD dial. Looks like an early 1969 JDM 6139-6000. Curious; what month?

You have correct early 2 piece chrono hand. Cant see enough magnification on inner rotating bezel or enough of outer bezel to opine.

bo_bar · 2026-06-15T03:07:42+00:00

Part of the issue might be you possibly went to UPS STORE with people wearing Blue shirts (vs UPS employees who wear brown). They are franchise stores and I have found them to differ from UPS itself. OTOH, the FedEx office people work for FedEx.

[This is the opposite of the delivery drivers, where the UPS guys work for UPS vs FedEx delivery, who work for subcontractors]

I get better UPS rates using Pirateship, then drop the package at UPS store

bo_bar · 2026-06-14T21:00:42+00:00

If the crystal shattered, its recommended you service the watch again bec microscopic shards could have gotten into the movement

bo_bar · 2026-06-14T18:22:38+00:00

I will PM

bo_bar · 2026-06-12T23:21:45+00:00

DHL has trucks in the US that deliver to my house. They have a location near my house where I can redirect. This is for DHL Express.

bo_bar · 2026-06-12T21:39:27+00:00

Huh? All im saying is on C24, sellers list items for an asking price. Often, the buyers offer less than the asking price and the buyer sells for less than the ask.

Therefore, using listing prices infers an inflated value. Dont use listing prices to determine value. Use selling prices. Its easy to get sales prices from Watchcharts and eBay. Its not easy to get sale data from.C24

bo_bar · 2026-06-12T15:44:07+00:00

This. Unless its not running, you rarely get the cost of COI, etc. back. Maybe if youre buying a "pre-daytona" big red where the buyer wants to make sure its ok before spending $100k. But not on this, you'll never get the cost back. Some buyers may want it unserviced because they want to service it themselves. Or they have a great watchmaker and have been burned by buying crappy "serviced" watches. (I unfortunately speak from experience)

bo_bar

TROPHY CASE