Why You Shouldn’t Watch Shop in Nakano Broadway

You’ve seen the videos, you’ve read the articles, you’ve drooled over the pictures of pristine examples of the rarest references. I am here to shatter your illusions.

This article isn’t going to apply to everyone. I am trying to reach out to the average watch collector who isn’t afraid to pull the trigger, but is seeking to always aim at a conscientious buy.

Unfortunately, the playing field has shifted for the stores located in Nakano Broadway. Popular watch shops like Kame-Kichi, and Jackroad have had the spotlight on them for a good decade. The amplification of their popularity has been further accelerated by content from online watch blogs and vlogs. The enthusiasts and serious watch collectors all around the world have paid particular attention to these locations for quite some time, and as a result as collectors we should proceed with some discretion.

Demographic of Buyers

Without a doubt, Japan holds an impressive share of the world’s rarest vintage references. Some of these watches in conditions that would rival museum level quality. Only time can produce vintage, at least if the timepieces are genuine. Unfortunately, those desirable 1675s, 1680s, 6542s, 6239s, and etc are dwindling in supply. Being an average watch collector interested in relatively less expensive pieces like preowned Speedmasters or vintage Citizens, I have seen prices rise exponentially for most watches. Even lesser known, less popular Russian divers and chronographs that date back circa 1970s produced by Vostok, Poljot, and Sekonda can be seen priced at a premium in these high-end pre-owned boutiques.

What we see in the current environment of the Nakano Broadway watch shops/boutiques are the factors that favor a seller’s market. Some of the buyers that you will potentially be competing with are enthusiasts or even casual collectors with disposable incomes far greater than you or I. Having been to Nakano a couple times now, I have been in the presence of the “Fuerdai,” or the Nouveau Riche of China. Now, let me clarify my stance before I am perceived as being someone with anti-elitist sentiments. The problem is not with buyers with money; however, the issues that arise are the inflated prices that result from a market of buyers with increased thresholds of buying power. If you have the luxury of visiting Jackroad or Kame-Kichi, you will notice that some of the representatives there can linguistically cater to several languages. Notably Mandarin, Korean, and English can often be heard in the background in these shops as you’re playing with your pocket lint while staring at a Nautilus. 

Caveat Emptor

Without a doubt, if you were on the hunt for a particular vintage Rolex reference that comes with complete set in excellent condition, you will most likely find it there. That being said, don’t expect to acquire these timepieces without it taking a hit to your retirement fund, unless you’re willing to eat nothing but instant ramen for 6-8 months (salary dependent). Many Japanese dealers have caught on and are seizing the opportunity of the fact that a lot us foreign watch addicts have flooded Japan like the Great Wave off Kanagawa.