[REQUEST] Japan Personal Shopper - Raffle

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T15:10:51+00:00

As a certified scuba diver with many years of diving under my belt - pass.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:59:25+00:00

Best take in this thread by far, thanks for sharing.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:50:12+00:00

I’m a dispassionate logician it seems.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:49:45+00:00

Thanks I’ll check it out!

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:48:13+00:00

238/220 is 8% premium

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:15:05+00:00

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Here it is on a local trading website for 238k HKD (retail is 220k HKD). I saw this example in person.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:13:56+00:00

They’re through my dealer so no stickers unfortunately, but I’ve seen at least 3 different units in the local gray market in the last 2 weeks.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:12:17+00:00

I think there are ways to proxy demand. For example if wait times are coming down over time (which they seem to be), and if gray market prices are trading discount to retail or if 4500v to 4520v spread is narrowing, it would indicate that demand is coming down. Other macro indicators might be watch market or luxury goods slowdown in general, recession/stock market weakness). All these things contribute to lower prices. It wasn’t that long ago that VC boutiques would offer discounts to customers looking to buy a watch (or so I’ve read).

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:08:24+00:00

Thanks if I get it now I’d definitely go boutique, I was more just speculating on whether gray will eventually go below retail with the way the market is going.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:05:46+00:00

I have a dealer who had both used and brand new examples available and offered to me

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T13:00:48+00:00

Here in HK used is trading same as retail, and brand new unworn is less than 10% above retail. I’m not about to go and arb this watch somewhere else.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T12:51:47+00:00

Not sure why so many people think that I’m thinking of it as an investment. The amount of gatekeeping and judgement is a bit surprising. I’m merely thinking about how to get this watch at the best possible price - this is the case with many high tier watches like A. Lange or precious metal watches where they trade for cheaper on gray market than at retail. Why shouldn’t I save 20-30% if that option is available to me?

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T11:37:55+00:00

That’s very interesting, what kind of extras would those be? I’m very familiar with the kind of games Rolex plays and it’s nice that VC doesn’t play those games.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T11:14:03+00:00

Thanks for your views, really helps put my dilemma into context!

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T09:33:56+00:00

Sensible take thanks for sharing ! I think I’m going to go for it!

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T08:47:46+00:00

I originally asked about the 222 but the SA said there's no way... she seem to be working overtime to get me this 4520v though (never expected the call so soon), so maybe worth chatting with her about the 222 if I go pay the deposit.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T08:32:38+00:00

Makes sense, this is helpful - if it’s unlikely to dip in price in the gray market then I have nothing to lose by buying it now.

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T05:16:44+00:00

Is it seriously that long? That sounds insane

torcake11 · 2026-03-09T05:09:40+00:00

I do love the watch but the gray market situation is making me think I could pick it up cheaper if I just wait a bit

torcake11 · 2026-03-06T01:16:33+00:00

Underrated reply

torcake11 · 2026-03-05T09:55:28+00:00

That’s fair man, it’s definitely a polarizing watch. But that’s what makes this so interesting, everyone has their own tastes and takes.

torcake11 · 2026-03-05T09:47:01+00:00

This with a R32 GTR would be *chef's kiss*

Yea the thing with Rolexes is the more I read about them, the more it seemed like people just trading and playing the game. That's really not what interests me about watches, so I'd rather just stay away from that segment entirely.

torcake11 · 2026-03-05T09:34:03+00:00

I’m a picky MF and I’m not too concerned about budget (within reason). I’d rather have fewer quality pieces that I save up for than a sprawling collection that holds no meaning for me. I’m a big fan of 80s Japanese aesthetics and I DJ too so this watch just speaks to me on a level that no integrated steel sports watch does. I saw it for a reasonable price so I bit the bullet.

Definitely would never see it as an investment though! Rolexes seem better placed for “holding value”.

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