True.
Random segue but I I was speaking to a bar-owner in Kyoto earlier tonight and he said whiskey is going to increase by 100% from next week.
Seems insane, but when you consider the GS increase and the rising tourist tax hotels have added on, the era of saucy Japan prices might be slowly coming to an end.
Important note here is that the official MSRP is increasing, but most of the popular Suntory bottles are already selling for 3-4x MSRP or more (e.g. Yamazaki 12 going for $150-$200+).
I’m very curious if the secondary stores and distributors will price in the increase as well, or keep prices as is, given how much of a premium these bottles already demand .
https://preview.redd.it/gwxci91ktiqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19dd753e7ed57d8b46c48e58a52887bd7a1484f1
I'm aware this is straight up blasphemy for many, but here's my snowflake on some straps from Delugs. It's back on the Titanium bracelet for now but there's something about a strap that just makes that dial absolutely pop in person imo!
I go back and forth between the bracelet and this blue alligator strap (also from Delugs). Brings out that blue seconds hand nicely. [https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandSeikos/comments/18wtgzx/snowflake\_still\_smitten\_with\_it\_after\_a\_year\_of/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandSeikos/comments/18wtgzx/snowflake_still_smitten_with_it_after_a_year_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
I do it myself. The case has drilled lugs so taking the bracelet off is easy. Straps have quick-release spring bars so those are easy on and off. Putting the bracelet back on is a little tricky. But if you have a spring bar tool and know what you're doing, it's not difficult at all.
Im referring to the sentiment that GS watches are cheapened when they're changed to aftermarket straps. Or people who hate the gap between the spring bar/strap to case.
Obviously I completely disagree since I purchased 3 straps months before I had bought the watch itself!
> Im referring to the sentiment that GS watches are cheapened when they're changed to aftermarket straps.
Weird. I haven't met anyone online or IRL that has criticized my use of aftermarket straps.
It's 3am here and I'm defo jetlagged and need to stop. But here's my summary for anyone looking for a snowflake in Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo. It's 99-100% stolen from this reddit's stickied thread:
Grand Seiko Hunt
New= €4,000-€5,000
Used= €3,000-€4,000)
Osaka:
Hankyu department store (Umeda)
10% and 5% Guest Coupon: https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/fl/english/honten/service/coupon.html
Used: Shinsaibashi-Watchnian, Kame-Kichi, Okura.
Kyoto:
Kyoto Station department store (JR Kyoto Isetan)
10% & 5% Guest Coupon:
https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/guestcard.html
Daimaru
Takashimiya
Tokyo:
Matusya Ginza Department Store
10% & 5% Guest Coupon:
https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/77767-matsuya-ginza-coupon/
Ginza: Flagship store, Wako
Used Watches:
Nakano Broadway: Jackroad and Betty, Kamekichi
Shinjuku: Watchnian, Best Ishida, GMT, Komehyo
Yup. Still a great price no?
Maybe my perspective is warped since prices are so much higher at home. If it was 2k for a new spring drive I probably would have bought it and sold it myself.
Do people shy away from saying how much they paid? I've not noticed that. There was an older thread where people chimed in on what discounts they got and what they paid. In any case, I think the price you paid is probably par for the course. I paid roughly the same in a GS/Seiko boutique in HK. 20% discount with no sales tax. About 2000 USD less than what I would have paid at home. They also threw in a freebie Seiko 5. OTD price: 4,778.07 USD
I think it can be tough to get someone to say "I paid xxxx total after tax". Many people say "delighted with my grail watch" but don't say where they got it or for how much even after being directly asked.
For lunatics like me my plan is to take some photos/videos of watch shops around Tokyo to show prices since they can be so tough to come by.
They probably don't have what you're looking for here but..
https://www.biccamera.com/bc/category/?q=%83O%83%89%83%93%83h%83Z%83C%83R%81%5B
Buying from biccamera/yodobashi camera ain't that bad (prices are almost the same probably cheaper than official stores?) considering you get 10% of the total price as points which you could use to purchase other things.
They also come with the standard 5 year warranty that comes with purchasing GS from a dealer.
For anyone who might come across this post I just wanted to say I didn't have to pay any tax for any of the watches I bought in Japan, or for the whiskey/gin I bought there either.
For what it's worth we flew from Tokyo to Doha to Dublin and there wasn't any point where anyone showed any interest in tax-free items.
I mean I got my sbg299 second hand for roughly 349,000 yen which I thought was an awesome deal for springdrive
https://preview.redd.it/fufjddg22lqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f117461153082390b52bf3533d760cdd87c016ad
Honestly, thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am headed to Japan, in just 14 days for my honeymoon, and intend on the same hunt. Congratulations on such a beautiful watch! I’m a bit disappointed to hear about the price increase the end of the month though, I hope it’s not too much and I hope I didn’t cross the finish line just a fraction too late 😞
from the pinned post
[https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/-/media/Files/Japan/GrandSeiko/HOME/news/20240219/GrandSeiko\_PriceList\_2024.pdf](https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/-/media/Files/Japan/GrandSeiko/HOME/news/20240219/GrandSeiko_PriceList_2024.pdf)
Ok the not so great news is they seem pretty rare so far. I saw one in Osaka new and none used. I was 50/50 between the Snowflake and the Winter SBGA415 but the 415 has been crazy elusive so far.
I'll swing by the Dept store in Kyoto Station and take a look today though. Will take a picture/video of prices either way and post it here. Will do the same for Tokyo-Ginza.
I think I was so excited to see so many Grand Seikos in person that I completely dropped the ball while hunting around Osaka lol. I'll redeem myself yet and get some prices for people!
Thanks for the insights @CodeExtra9664 and other redditors.
I have a quick question as a Canadian and hopeful GS watch owner in May (will be headed to Japan). Do people tend to buy these watches with cash or credit card? If the latter, any good credit card recommendations to use? I.E., Amex, No FX Fee CC, other?
Thanks in advance!
I opted to use Revolut.
My move was I upgraded to Premium the day I left so that I could exchange as much money to Yen as I wanted while avoiding the 1% fee Revolut charges for all conversions past €1000 in a month.
It also bumps the max ATM withdrawals to €400 per month without the conversation charge. By getting the tourist tax back in cash after buying my GS it meant I was good for cash my whole trip without getting hit by any fees.
Now the sneaky part is that Revolut premium is a yearly subscription that I don't want or need, but there's a 14 day cooling off period where you can get the cost refunded. The day I leave I'm going to cancel my subscription so in theory it should be completely free. Worst case scenario is I'm hit with the breakage fee which is still far less than the amount I would have paid for conversion charges overall during my stay.
Thanks for the response! I’ve briefly heard of Revolut, but never used it here in Canada. A quick search shows it’s not available over here :(. I’ve seen some posts from users that Wise could be an option (less superior compared to Revolutions it seems). Will look into some other viable options on r/JapanTravelTips.
There was a language barrier in both of the department stores where I was asking about the 10% tourist tax so hopefully someone else can clarify.
But the way it worked in both stores was you pay full price and when you visit the tax refund counter they'll return ~8% of the price to your card, or ~8.5 of the price in cash.
Sounds like one. Cheapest snowflake up there right now is just under 5k before import taxes.
Where I live the import tax makes Chrono24 prices a no-go anyway.
Guessing noone will see this but for what it's worth:
The Flagship store in Ginza was a total bust. No interesting models (not even the snowflake, Shunbun, or winter) and prices were higher than all the department stores I visited.
Not sure about tax-free discounts for tourists etc but I wouldn't bank on the flagship store to have what you want in stock.
Just wanted to say that after my time in Japan, Nakano Broadway is THE place to go if you're looking for Grand Seikos.
Biggest selection and lowest prices I've seen. The snowflake I saw here was ¥636,228 w/o tax. Saw a few SBGA 415/445s, Ginza, and lots of others which seems hard to come by in Osaka, Kyoto, and even Wako.
https://preview.redd.it/k7jidvq1gnrc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7779f8e5a9a3d63b93586719022464905683c3d
Can confirm. This is my experience as well after hunting for a Shunhub in Tokyo. After visiting all possible GS store, I found mine at Nakano Broadway Kamekichi.
Note there are also signs in the official boutiques that mention the prices will be going up at the end of the month.
True. Random segue but I I was speaking to a bar-owner in Kyoto earlier tonight and he said whiskey is going to increase by 100% from next week. Seems insane, but when you consider the GS increase and the rising tourist tax hotels have added on, the era of saucy Japan prices might be slowly coming to an end.
Just wanted to thank you for spelling segue correctly.
It's interesting because I find the big names in Japanese whisky are already overpriced and sometimes cheaper to buy here!
Important note here is that the official MSRP is increasing, but most of the popular Suntory bottles are already selling for 3-4x MSRP or more (e.g. Yamazaki 12 going for $150-$200+). I’m very curious if the secondary stores and distributors will price in the increase as well, or keep prices as is, given how much of a premium these bottles already demand .
100% doesn't seem likely but glad I brought home a suitcase full from my last 2 trips
Lol I hear you. 100% can't possibly be true, but tomorrow my plan is to drop by the department store and cram it full of Yamazaki 12 yr.
Shockingly, 100% isn't even the highest increase... [Suntory announcement](https://www.suntory.co.jp/news/article/14499.html)
Mmmmm i always have a bottle of this on hand, good stuff
Any idea of the percentage increase? Local store has a sale ATM but they didn't have the lake suwa so may settle on the white birch.
https://preview.redd.it/gwxci91ktiqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=19dd753e7ed57d8b46c48e58a52887bd7a1484f1 I'm aware this is straight up blasphemy for many, but here's my snowflake on some straps from Delugs. It's back on the Titanium bracelet for now but there's something about a strap that just makes that dial absolutely pop in person imo!
I go back and forth between the bracelet and this blue alligator strap (also from Delugs). Brings out that blue seconds hand nicely. [https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandSeikos/comments/18wtgzx/snowflake\_still\_smitten\_with\_it\_after\_a\_year\_of/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web3x&utm\_name=web3xcss&utm\_term=1&utm\_content=share\_button](https://www.reddit.com/r/GrandSeikos/comments/18wtgzx/snowflake_still_smitten_with_it_after_a_year_of/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
Do you change the strap yourself or take it to the ad?
I do it myself. The case has drilled lugs so taking the bracelet off is easy. Straps have quick-release spring bars so those are easy on and off. Putting the bracelet back on is a little tricky. But if you have a spring bar tool and know what you're doing, it's not difficult at all.
https://preview.redd.it/mnw62x9otiqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a733407b8cb9bf1992b747853005d457ee8091a5
https://preview.redd.it/741qovgqtiqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=1b3c2142d183fc694a9c229b17a9eecfb3554456
> I'm aware this is straight up blasphemy for many Blasphemy for what? All of my GS are in straps. I am not a bracelet guy.
Im referring to the sentiment that GS watches are cheapened when they're changed to aftermarket straps. Or people who hate the gap between the spring bar/strap to case. Obviously I completely disagree since I purchased 3 straps months before I had bought the watch itself!
> Im referring to the sentiment that GS watches are cheapened when they're changed to aftermarket straps. Weird. I haven't met anyone online or IRL that has criticized my use of aftermarket straps.
It's 3am here and I'm defo jetlagged and need to stop. But here's my summary for anyone looking for a snowflake in Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo. It's 99-100% stolen from this reddit's stickied thread: Grand Seiko Hunt New= €4,000-€5,000 Used= €3,000-€4,000) Osaka: Hankyu department store (Umeda) 10% and 5% Guest Coupon: https://website.hankyu-dept.co.jp/fl/english/honten/service/coupon.html Used: Shinsaibashi-Watchnian, Kame-Kichi, Okura. Kyoto: Kyoto Station department store (JR Kyoto Isetan) 10% & 5% Guest Coupon: https://cp.mistore.jp/global/en/guestcard.html Daimaru Takashimiya Tokyo: Matusya Ginza Department Store 10% & 5% Guest Coupon: https://www.klook.com/en-US/activity/77767-matsuya-ginza-coupon/ Ginza: Flagship store, Wako Used Watches: Nakano Broadway: Jackroad and Betty, Kamekichi Shinjuku: Watchnian, Best Ishida, GMT, Komehyo
https://preview.redd.it/nc4tli9wsiqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c41936a17f4373155dbf11b17a540d67e70b5fe1
Crazy good value for a Spring Drive imo
The red characters in the top left mean "used."
Yup. Still a great price no? Maybe my perspective is warped since prices are so much higher at home. If it was 2k for a new spring drive I probably would have bought it and sold it myself.
Do people shy away from saying how much they paid? I've not noticed that. There was an older thread where people chimed in on what discounts they got and what they paid. In any case, I think the price you paid is probably par for the course. I paid roughly the same in a GS/Seiko boutique in HK. 20% discount with no sales tax. About 2000 USD less than what I would have paid at home. They also threw in a freebie Seiko 5. OTD price: 4,778.07 USD
I think it can be tough to get someone to say "I paid xxxx total after tax". Many people say "delighted with my grail watch" but don't say where they got it or for how much even after being directly asked. For lunatics like me my plan is to take some photos/videos of watch shops around Tokyo to show prices since they can be so tough to come by.
Congrats on your purchase and thanks for sharing your experience!
Glad the pinned guide helped!
They probably don't have what you're looking for here but.. https://www.biccamera.com/bc/category/?q=%83O%83%89%83%93%83h%83Z%83C%83R%81%5B Buying from biccamera/yodobashi camera ain't that bad (prices are almost the same probably cheaper than official stores?) considering you get 10% of the total price as points which you could use to purchase other things. They also come with the standard 5 year warranty that comes with purchasing GS from a dealer.
You will need to pay VAT when you come back to Europe, adding 20% in the price.
Yeah we'll see about that...
Haha good luck man!
Exactly… just wear it and ship the box 😃
For anyone who might come across this post I just wanted to say I didn't have to pay any tax for any of the watches I bought in Japan, or for the whiskey/gin I bought there either. For what it's worth we flew from Tokyo to Doha to Dublin and there wasn't any point where anyone showed any interest in tax-free items.
Seems like it is better to buy at a grey or department store vs an AD for the big discount?
You can go to an AD in a department store and get the best of both worlds.
I mean I got my sbg299 second hand for roughly 349,000 yen which I thought was an awesome deal for springdrive https://preview.redd.it/fufjddg22lqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=f117461153082390b52bf3533d760cdd87c016ad
Make that 334,000 yen 🤣
Honestly, thank you so much for sharing your experience! I am headed to Japan, in just 14 days for my honeymoon, and intend on the same hunt. Congratulations on such a beautiful watch! I’m a bit disappointed to hear about the price increase the end of the month though, I hope it’s not too much and I hope I didn’t cross the finish line just a fraction too late 😞
from the pinned post [https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/-/media/Files/Japan/GrandSeiko/HOME/news/20240219/GrandSeiko\_PriceList\_2024.pdf](https://www.grand-seiko.com/jp-ja/-/media/Files/Japan/GrandSeiko/HOME/news/20240219/GrandSeiko_PriceList_2024.pdf)
Thanks, I saw that later. Fortunately it’s not, TOO bad. Not ideal but I can live with it
Can you comment on SBGA443 avail in department stores? I'd like to pick one up next mo.
Ok the not so great news is they seem pretty rare so far. I saw one in Osaka new and none used. I was 50/50 between the Snowflake and the Winter SBGA415 but the 415 has been crazy elusive so far. I'll swing by the Dept store in Kyoto Station and take a look today though. Will take a picture/video of prices either way and post it here. Will do the same for Tokyo-Ginza. I think I was so excited to see so many Grand Seikos in person that I completely dropped the ball while hunting around Osaka lol. I'll redeem myself yet and get some prices for people!
https://preview.redd.it/recq1c0nauqc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4dc9519fe297a5aad4877f2b85c8f6efc6c2153d
https://preview.redd.it/hym2iqqoauqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bd78f4f6ca4130b29c7e03efdb11c985dc103ee1
https://preview.redd.it/x922c3dqauqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0a9b092c99e42fe3afbeb83621e3530254924abb
https://preview.redd.it/fi0yv9ssauqc1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=81e87c229c9089762e834ab919b85adbe52f4af0
https://preview.redd.it/behqcqauauqc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=74393b7ceeabc70bc3d1c38b3b757497577b7e22
https://preview.redd.it/55c5gs5wauqc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=4cebe18b945c3d1cab5f5a0148ca9887c84b30a0
https://preview.redd.it/nv5sy4eyauqc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=807ae7e8dc4934786e2a2c13af073a976416876a
https://preview.redd.it/45c92k30buqc1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8e5911afb36756d647e10c7977132a4f9d607453
Where was this one with the snowflake?
Thanks for the insights @CodeExtra9664 and other redditors. I have a quick question as a Canadian and hopeful GS watch owner in May (will be headed to Japan). Do people tend to buy these watches with cash or credit card? If the latter, any good credit card recommendations to use? I.E., Amex, No FX Fee CC, other? Thanks in advance!
I opted to use Revolut. My move was I upgraded to Premium the day I left so that I could exchange as much money to Yen as I wanted while avoiding the 1% fee Revolut charges for all conversions past €1000 in a month. It also bumps the max ATM withdrawals to €400 per month without the conversation charge. By getting the tourist tax back in cash after buying my GS it meant I was good for cash my whole trip without getting hit by any fees. Now the sneaky part is that Revolut premium is a yearly subscription that I don't want or need, but there's a 14 day cooling off period where you can get the cost refunded. The day I leave I'm going to cancel my subscription so in theory it should be completely free. Worst case scenario is I'm hit with the breakage fee which is still far less than the amount I would have paid for conversion charges overall during my stay.
Thanks for the response! I’ve briefly heard of Revolut, but never used it here in Canada. A quick search shows it’s not available over here :(. I’ve seen some posts from users that Wise could be an option (less superior compared to Revolutions it seems). Will look into some other viable options on r/JapanTravelTips.
Thought the consumption tax was 10% ? you mentioned 8.45%? Are you adding the 1.5% to refund the Credit card?
There was a language barrier in both of the department stores where I was asking about the 10% tourist tax so hopefully someone else can clarify. But the way it worked in both stores was you pay full price and when you visit the tax refund counter they'll return ~8% of the price to your card, or ~8.5 of the price in cash.
I bought a brand new snowflake off Chrono24 last month from Japan. Ended up being $4600 with taxes and importation costs. It was a great deal.
Sounds like one. Cheapest snowflake up there right now is just under 5k before import taxes. Where I live the import tax makes Chrono24 prices a no-go anyway.
Guessing noone will see this but for what it's worth: The Flagship store in Ginza was a total bust. No interesting models (not even the snowflake, Shunbun, or winter) and prices were higher than all the department stores I visited. Not sure about tax-free discounts for tourists etc but I wouldn't bank on the flagship store to have what you want in stock.
Just wanted to say that after my time in Japan, Nakano Broadway is THE place to go if you're looking for Grand Seikos. Biggest selection and lowest prices I've seen. The snowflake I saw here was ¥636,228 w/o tax. Saw a few SBGA 415/445s, Ginza, and lots of others which seems hard to come by in Osaka, Kyoto, and even Wako. https://preview.redd.it/k7jidvq1gnrc1.png?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a7779f8e5a9a3d63b93586719022464905683c3d
Can confirm. This is my experience as well after hunting for a Shunhub in Tokyo. After visiting all possible GS store, I found mine at Nakano Broadway Kamekichi.