Fukuoka: Vintages, Friend and Beer :)

[terrenceterrence]

Was in Fukuoka yesterday and have a great time meeting up with a member from TRF.

Unlike Nagoya which have big chain of pre-owned stores, Fukuoka is a smaller city with owner occupied vintage stores.

They have really cool stuff if you're a vintage afficiando. Ton's of vintage advert plaques, posters, stands, boxes..you name it most stores have it. The Japanese really raise the level in vintage collecting 

Love window shopping in the country.

Sorry about the quality of the photo. Taken with my IPhone and my digital pinhole cam.

Some sights of the city. Spring is coming and the tulips and cherry blossoms are in full bloom

[terrenceterrence]

This is a very cool store. They have a Japan only, rare "Space-Dweller" basically a rebadged Exp I that was done to comemmorate the visit of the Mercury astronauts visit to the country in '63.

http://www.hodinkee.com/blog/2008/11/24/the-explorer-that-was-1966-rare-japanese-rolex-space-dweller.html

Too bad I was so at awe with the amount of vintages in the store to remember to take photos.

If you're ever around the area, the store is just at the corner between Mitsukoshi and Daimaru departmental store.

Eventhough it's a very small store, but you can just spend hours there admiring the details of all the vintages inside

[terrenceterrence]

Another cool store is Alex. More multi brand than JFK.

Ton's of art deco Rolexes.

[terrenceterrence]

Finally, met a wonderful friend and enjoyed couple of drinks  and some bak kwa brought all the way to Japan.

[hanz079]

Nice pics bro.
A good insight... hopefully can make my way there someday.
Thanks for sharing.

[takashi78]

Great post as always!

How do you always manage to find these cool watch stores?

Is that a cali dial Rolex?

Hate to ask but....with everything thats going on...how's the peoples mood over there?

[terrenceterrence]

Great post as always!

How do you always manage to find these cool watch stores?

Is that a cali dial Rolex?

Hate to ask but....with everything thats going on...how's the peoples mood over there?

Google, forums and also alot of walking around ..exploring the city on foot and getting lost. I enjoy getting lost in a foreign country 

A Cali dial but not sure if it's specific model and details.

The sentiment down south is still good. The Japanese can endure or "gaman" anything but most bottled water are shipped over to disaster sites. so you may not find big bottles in convenience stores.

Life goes on and as always they would put on a smile and brave face

[zuki]

Really miss the sakura or 'hanami'...since I am back for good now on last november...

[terrenceterrence]

found another photo in the phone

[David_cheong]

Nice places with some view on vintage watches.

Thanks for sharing.

dc

[ivanswk]

hey u back or still in japan ? hehe

those vintage watch price on the list more expensive leh after i converted 

i thought after the EQ maybe can get some cheap stuff hahah

u know the chinese strategy  "To loot a house on fire"  ? 

[terrenceterrence]

well vintage prices are fluid i would say. compared to auction prices by antiquorium/christies these are reasonable

Japanese do not bargain about prices and it's considered as highly disrespectful if customers haggle about it too. the owners would price their wares accordingly and if customers like the price then they buy..if not then walk away.

if they are in trouble and need to liquidate then they would re-price or put up a sign. furthermore they are highly knowledgeable about their wares and the prices that they can command. i doubt any walk-in customers can get anything off the prices.

[takashi78]

Maybe thats what everyone says?
I have read many stories where people can still nego prices when they go into shops for watches, no need to be shy.
A question is worth nothing so just asking does not pose any disrespect i feel.
I always tell myself, never ask never know.
Just be mindful and dont go too far, not like its China where my dad's friend bought some item where the asking price was RM9k and ended up paying RM120 !!!

[terrenceterrence]

the shops advertise their prices in magazines and websites for everyone to see.

it's a cultural thing. if you dun trust the prices i advertise that means you think of me as being dishonest and a cheat for pricing it so high up to sucker in ppl.

it's a strict no-no.

not to mention they do not take tips for any services rendered because it's seen as being insulted for not doing their job and that they are not being paid enough.

they are Japanese and not Chinese when it comes to money.

[terrenceterrence]

this is taken from a Japanese watch magazine

[hanz079]

this is taken from a Japanese watch magazine

Any translation bro? 

[chrisyen]

Thnx For sharing... Bout ur Photo, experience n No bargain culture on japanese shop
if u dun tell i will go n insult them surely

[terrenceterrence]

there is a away to go in and get a bargain.

if they are hard up for a sale they would say would tell you right out and you do not really need to ask.

or you can subtly tell them oohh that's a nice price but the exchange rate is not really that favourable now. if it's better than you would certainly buy it. if they would budge then they would give you a price.

but never ever tell them to take some off directly.

like i said they would advertise and re-price themselves and customers do not really need to ask.

[takashi78]

Good info to know.
Jpn is just a heaven for used watches, alot are in good condition and most of the time you wont have to be afraid if you buying fake or not.

[ry]

     Nice post and photos.Anyway pricewise(esp sports rolexes) are a  premium in Japan.This is generally true also for Hong Kong and Singapore.But you have to go to Japan for the rare ones,plenty there.

[TheHobbit]

     Nice post and photos.Anyway pricewise(esp sports rolexes) are a  premium in Japan.This is generally true also for Hong Kong and Singapore.But you have to go to Japan for the rare ones,plenty there.

Very true. You can find some interesting Daytona in Japan which experts in the western world are not even aware of.

[kenixck]

the way they display the watches are damn cool, crazy japanese are hardcore ppl.
i hope our local museum can learn a thing or two from them.