Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we return after more travel and a birthday celebration to discuss the Japanese watch market. While the topic may sound quizzical, the Land of the Rising Sun presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities. We talk about this and more! As watch collectors, many of us visit various online marketplaces when looking for our next purchase. Often, we find the best opportunities in Japan. In fact, the sheer quantity of watches available in the faraway nation boggles the mind. There are also "JDM-only" pieces, which speak to the country's influence on brands at home and in Europe. Whether a collector is visiting the country or shopping from abroad, interesting cultural differences can make the buying experience unique. Handgelenkskontrolle We kick off our episode on the Japanese watch market with a return to Germany. Balazs explains a recent run-in with the healthcare system that felt like trying to untie a Gordian knot. We then turn our attention to television and the cornucopia of fantastic recent shows. Mobland, The Gentlemen, Slow Horses, Tulsa King, The Terminal List, and Below are just some of the series we've been enjoying. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675. Balazs has opted for the 2023 Fratello × Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph. The Japanese watch market For our main topic, we share our experiences of buying and shopping for watches in Japan. We've both traveled there and purchased watches in person. However, we've also dealt with online sellers and marketplaces. For starters, it's important to note that before FOMO became a trend in the West, Japan was the originator of fervor for limited-edition products. Watches are just one example of the excitement Japanese fans feel for special drops. This helps explain why brands often produce Japan-only models or variants. We also mention Sinn and how Japan is, interestingly, one of its most important markets. Regarding vintage watches, we've found that condition on the Japanese watch market is often superlative. This contrasts with the modern market, where watches typically receive a light polish to look new. In either case, though, don't expect much negotiation. In Japan, the price shown is typically the best the dealer can offer. Finally, when shopping online, take seller ratings seriously because there's often no buyer protection. Believe us; we learned this the hard way! For more of our detailed stories about the Japanese watch market, tune in to the rest of the episode. As always, thanks for listening! If you have ideas for future show topics, don't hesitate to share!
