Buying from Japan

Ship a Watch with a Battery from Japan (2026): Lithium Rules

Ship a watch with a battery from Japan in 2026? Most quartz watches have no lithium, and the 2026 IATA 30% rule targets big cells, not watches. By type and route.

2026.09.23

Buying from Japan

Date a Vintage Rolex Oyster Case from Photos (Japan, 2026)

Date a vintage Rolex Oyster case from photos when buying from Japan: serial location (lugs vs rehaut), random serials from 2010, plus caseback and crown cues.

2026.09.22

Buying from Japan

Rolex Clasp Codes & End Links: Verify a Bracelet from Japan (2026)

A rolex clasp code dates the bracelet, not the watch. How to read it, match end links to the bracelet reference, and spot a swapped bracelet in a Japanese listing.

2026.09.21

Buying from Japan

Rolex Warranty Card: Verify a Japanese Listing from Photos (2026)

Verify a Rolex warranty card from Japanese listing photos: the 2026 wood-grain redesign, QR-coded tag, and what remote checks can and cannot confirm.

2026.09.19

Buying from Japan

Buy Vintage Tudor from Japan: References to Know (2026)

Buy vintage Tudor from Japan: decode Snowflake, Monte Carlo and Oyster Prince references, spot redials, and estimate 2026 landed cost remotely.

2026.09.17

Buying from Japan

Grand Seiko Model Numbers: Verify a Japanese Listing (2026)

Decode a Grand Seiko model number (SBGA211, SLGH005) and case-back caliber code before buying from Japan: SB/SL/ST lines, Spring Drive vs Hi-Beat vs quartz.

2026.09.16

Buying from Japan

Japan’s Tax-Free Shopping Change: What Watch Buyers Must Know

Japan tax-free shopping change took effect Nov 1, 2026: the discount moved from the register to a departure refund for watch buyers.

2026.09.16

Buying from Japan

Watch Caliber Identification: Reading a Japanese Listing (2026)

Watch caliber identification from a Japanese listing: read the movement photo, match it to the reference, and catch a swapped movement.

2026.09.15

Buying from Japan

Watch Reference Numbers: How to Read a Japanese Listing (2026)

How to read a watch reference number, tell it apart from the serial and caliber numbers, and verify it against a Japanese listing (品番, 型番) before buying from Japan.

2026.09.15

Buying from Japan

How to Spot a Redial Watch in a Japanese Listing (2026)

How to spot a redial watch in a Japanese listing: tell a service dial from original and catch a frankenwatch before you pay (2026).

2026.09.15

Buying from Japan