China?! Come on! Every rep under the sun in made there. Nothing against China or chinese dealers, but I would tread veery carefully. I have seen some smashing deals on Chrono from China, but it's tricky to perform a due diligence.
John, most of us are collectors and need to buy from a trusted source, like yourself, to not be taken advantage of. I rather have you go to China/Asia or India, and buy the watch from you. Is your passport up to date?
Absolutely 💯 on Japan. I lnow you're focus more on the higher end, but managed to get a Longines Conquest GMT for a little over $600 and a Speedy Pro for $3500 both with box and papers
I live in Japan and recently got a solid gold Hermes cape cod with voucher movement,22kt gold roter for USD6600. If I melt that thing today, I'd get most of that money back.....(not saying I would) I think it's a great deal and there still are great deals in Japan if you keep an eye for non hyped watches in secondary market here,especially for gold watches.
@@ThriftyCHNR It's partially due to the current exchange rate but generally,there still are many underated watches out here. It's gradually changing these days but the majorities of watch people here seem not interested in Gold watches. So sometimes you can find good quality watches for almost just the price of gold. This cape cod 1928 is a good example. it weighs 150grams including the leather belt and 18kt gold deployment clasp (hermes croc belt ofcourse) What I paid is mostly just for the gold. the watch quality is very high, but it's not a Rolex and Hermes is seen as fashion watches by the majority so.... I am happy digging the non Rolex watches out there.
Just got back from Japan. it seems right now it's the best time to get a Grand Seiko from ADs, given current exchange rate, with tax refund (10% off) and any discount you can get (I got 5%) watches can be about 30-40% cheaper than US ADs.
I totally agree with Japan as a great pre-owned watch hunting ground. I snagged a Omega Seamaster 300 (10 months old) for under US$3,250 in a 9.8 condition (2 very minor hairline on the clasp). This is tax free price, which is incredible. The same watch at retail in my country would be almost double of that.
@@JohnPWatches Nope, chrono, Egypt I deal with only on guy but more generally broard national stereotypes apply, All of Asia including Korea consistently list watches as a level below their actual grade. Germany and the Netherlands are likewise full of vendors keen to be seen as competent, but the prices are less tempting.
Watch Tourism would be a great experience… if one could guarantee not getting a grade A fake. I just couldn’t see risking it unless I had a Rolex guru along who could take a look under the covers, or Rolex would chk the serial number before money changed hands.
John, isn't China currently unable to sell outside the country, hence the low.prices in mainland? In couple postings in Chrono24 they stated it's now illegal to send watches (and possibly other value items) outside... Does any know anything more about that?
Oh. A long time ago, Mainland Chinese were getting around currency and financial controls by taking Rolex out of mainland and selling them in places like Macau or Hong Kong. Looks like the government finally got wise to that technique, if your comment is indeed correct.
John P, very credible man. In the pre owned watch game but telling us about other outlets, countries, not just pushing his own company. Proper watch guy.
Agreed! They are scammers too! They're not always what they claim to be. They'll put quartz watches as automatic and people that aren't up to date or understanding of how watches work. Get hustled
From first hand experience, I wouldn't trust any grey market watch in mainland china.
Because of weak Yen+tax free, you can probably get the same watch about 20% cheaper in Japan. Worth looking at Grand Seiko if you are a fan.
China?! Come on! Every rep under the sun in made there. Nothing against China or chinese dealers, but I would tread veery carefully. I have seen some smashing deals on Chrono from China, but it's tricky to perform a due diligence.
John, most of us are collectors and need to buy from a trusted source, like yourself, to not be taken advantage of. I rather have you go to China/Asia or India, and buy the watch from you. Is your passport up to date?
I would not buy a watch in China. Lots of takes
Depends where you buy. There are boutiques in cities in Shanghai/Shenzhen/Beijing etc. And Watchbox is there, too.
Absolutely 💯 on Japan. I lnow you're focus more on the higher end, but managed to get a Longines Conquest GMT for a little over $600 and a Speedy Pro for $3500 both with box and papers
I live in Japan and recently got a solid gold Hermes cape cod with voucher movement,22kt gold roter for USD6600.
If I melt that thing today, I'd get most of that money back.....(not saying I would)
I think it's a great deal and there still are great deals in Japan if you keep an eye for non hyped watches in secondary market here,especially for gold watches.
wow that sounds sweet. I always notice that watches from Japan are always first when sorting for lowest to highest price on Chrono.
@@ThriftyCHNR It's partially due to the current exchange rate but generally,there still are many underated watches out here.
It's gradually changing these days but the majorities of watch people here seem not interested in Gold watches.
So sometimes you can find good quality watches for almost just the price of gold.
This cape cod 1928 is a good example.
it weighs 150grams including the leather belt and 18kt gold deployment clasp (hermes croc belt ofcourse)
What I paid is mostly just for the gold.
the watch quality is very high, but it's not a Rolex and Hermes is seen as fashion watches by the majority so....
I am happy digging the non Rolex watches out there.
when you put it that way, it seems you have bought smartly and your piece has a minimum intrinsic value. @@SuperMAYUSAMA
Just got back from Japan. it seems right now it's the best time to get a Grand Seiko from ADs, given current exchange rate, with tax refund (10% off) and any discount you can get (I got 5%) watches can be about 30-40% cheaper than US ADs.
Thanks for the insight!
Watches in India are not cheap buddy
I totally agree with Japan as a great pre-owned watch hunting ground. I snagged a Omega Seamaster 300 (10 months old) for under US$3,250 in a 9.8 condition (2 very minor hairline on the clasp). This is tax free price, which is incredible. The same watch at retail in my country would be almost double of that.
I buy watches from Egypt and Japan, do not buy from India,Turkey or, unless you're very knowlagable, Im sorry to say Italy can be tricky too.
Do you travel to Egypt for it?
@@JohnPWatches Nope, chrono, Egypt I deal with only on guy but more generally broard national stereotypes apply, All of Asia including Korea consistently list watches as a level below their actual grade. Germany and the Netherlands are likewise full of vendors keen to be seen as competent, but the prices are less tempting.
Watch Tourism would be a great experience… if one could guarantee not getting a grade A fake. I just couldn’t see risking it unless I had a Rolex guru along who could take a look under the covers, or Rolex would chk the serial number before money changed hands.
John, isn't China currently unable to sell outside the country, hence the low.prices in mainland? In couple postings in Chrono24 they stated it's now illegal to send watches (and possibly other value items) outside...
Does any know anything more about that?
Oh. A long time ago, Mainland Chinese were getting around currency and financial controls by taking Rolex out of mainland and selling them in places like Macau or Hong Kong. Looks like the government finally got wise to that technique, if your comment is indeed correct.
Certainly not in Toronto Canada
Canada. Where everything is 50% more
Brutal. Why are prices so high in Canada for a lot of things?
Japan is an amazing place to get pre-owned watches. The watches are in great conditions and at fair prices.
Finland border is closed with Russia and Finns are very strict on border goods movement.
My experience is that France is a country you can get good buys on Cartier, JLC, GP, Vulcain, Blancpain and Zenith
John P, very credible man. In the pre owned watch game but telling us about other outlets, countries, not just pushing his own company. Proper watch guy.
Unfortu atly in france the wath are absolutlh not more low in 2024,all wagch are always more and more expensive....sadly
Still gotta pay duty plus vat or similar , when bringing back home,Savings are negligible for small time bargain hunters
👌
Thank you! Great vid; extremely relevant
Thank you
What about the many Japan vendors on Ebay?
Agreed! They are scammers too! They're not always what they claim to be. They'll put quartz watches as automatic and people that aren't up to date or understanding of how watches work. Get hustled
Great content ❤ from India
Thank you!