Perfect timing

For the rushed residents of our fair metropolis, keeping an eye on time is one of life's little necessities. Martin Webb finds out how to keep pace in style.

Jack Road

Courtesy of Jack Road

Inside Nakano's Broadway mall, this relaxed emporium houses three distinct watch outlets. One store caters mostly to Rolex fanatics with a few Panerai and IWC models rounding out the selection. Next door, antique and previously owned models, again the majority Rolex, are on offer at attractive prices—check out the Panerai Power Reserve (pictured) at ¥438,000. The selection of Tudor, Heuer and military models is also impressive. Across the corridor is Jack Roads' sister store, Betty Road, which has a huge selection from names like Chopard, Cartier, Bulgari and Piaget with discounts of up to ¥1 million available. Friendly and knowledgeable advice (in Japanese) and excellent after-sales service are the extra selling points of this trinity of cozy stores.

Open 11am-8:30pm. 3F Nakano Broadway, 5-52-15 Nakano, Nakano-ku. Nearest stn: Nakano, north exit. Follow the Sun Mall to Nakano Broadway. www.jackroad.co.jp

Evance
Tokyo's most famous watch retailer has been undergoing a few changes of late. The Kotto Dori store closed last month and the Ginza outlet now takes up six full floors. The basement and first floor are dedicated to bestseller Rolex, and offer some of the best prices on new models in Japan. The second floor is exclusively devoted to Cartier—such as the stylish Roadster, knocked down from ¥2.6 million to ¥2.28 million. Here, prices rise with the floor numbers: the fifth floor, labeled Grand Complications, showcases pinnacles of the craft of horology from names like Patek Philippe, A. Lange & Sohne and Audemars Piguet. On the top floor, the High Jewelry Watches section displays exorbitantly priced, rock-encrusted creations from the likes of Chopard and Harry Winston.

Open 11am-8pm. 6-8-19 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-3569-7073. Nearest stn: Ginza exit B5. Miyuki Dori, next to Foxey. www.evance.co.jp

M&R Salon de Montres
Although Ginza is awash with purveyors of jewelry and luxury goods, Hanatsubaki Dori is veritably studded with watch retailers. Bonbon, Century, Rolex specialist Lexia, and Waltham, among others, line the street but the highlight is definitely M&R Salon de Montres. This gorgeous marble store stocks just four mechanical movement watch brands: Breguet, Rolex, Jaeger le Coultre and Panerai. Expect to pay full price for your chosen timepiece but rest assured you'll get service to match the price tag.

Open 11am-8pm Mon-Fri, 11am-7:30pm Sat, closed Sun. Hanatsubaki Street, 8-4-2 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Tel: 03-5537-5805. Nearest stn: Ginza, exit B3. Turn right before Shiseido.

Satin Doll

Courtesy of Satin Doll

Rolex: The original sportsman's watch or ubiquitous bourgeois status symbol? Either way, the world's most recognizable watch brand commands a cult following in Japan. Catering to this demand, Satin Doll is among Tokyo's top Rolex retailers. Three stores, in Shibuya, Ginza and Shinjuku have hundreds of models from sporty Submariners to diamond encrusted Day-Dates. Although prices on new models compare unfavorably with those overseas, it's the used and antique selection that's the big draw here. Japanese tend to worship their watches, so most models haven't so much as a scratch and, if you buy used, it's possible to resell a Rolex several years later for almost the same value as you bought it. The Submariner, pictured, makes a great gift for the rugged man in your life. As close to pawn shop prices as you can get, Satin Doll is a must for bargain-hunting Rolex lovers.

Shibuya: Open 11am-8:30pm. 1F Parkway Bldg, 1-20-9 Higashiyama Minami, Shibuya-ku. Nearest stn: Shibuya. On Koen Street across from GAP.
Ginza: Open 11am-8pm. 1F Nishigo Bldg, 5-4-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku. Nearest stn: Ginza. Behind Hermes.
Shinjuku: Open 11am-8pm. 1F Studio Alta Bldg, 3-24-3 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku. Nearest stn: Shinjuku, east exit. www.satindollweb.com

Cotton Tail

Anatole Papafilippou

On the outskirts of the wholesale district of Okachimachi, Cotton Tail Antiques is a refreshing change compared to the rest of the neighborhood. The wooden interior of the 47-year-old store and the welcoming smile of Aki Tachiki, one of the few women in the antique watch business, make this a great visit for any enthusiast. Ask for Tachiki-san's recommendations on Swiss watches from the 1920s to the 1970s, assorted chronographs, British military watches, very rare repeater movement models, century-old pocket watches, ancient models that require a key to wind up, and railroad watches. If you know what you're looking for, there's a good chance Cotton Tail can help you find it.

Open noon-7:30pm, closed Wed and every third Thu. 1-2F Maruhachi Bldg, 5-24-3 Ueno, Taito-ku. Tel: 03-3836-2107. Nearest stn: Ueno. For map, see www.cotton-tail.com

Hokuyo
For watch hunters without money to burn, Hokuyo is a great find. Tool watches like diver's brands Omega and Suunto, chunky G-Shocks and a massive array of highly collectible Swatch watches line up here alongside entry brands like Pepol, Bell & Ross, Tutima, Sinn and Fortis. An enormous selection of deadstock models from the '70s and '80s (check out the Rado L.E.D. Box ¥98,000, and Pulsar 2922 ¥58,000) make great accessories for retro-future style lovers. If you like watches with personality and a sense of humor, making a trip to Hokuyo is time well spent. A second store is set to open later this month in Odaiba Decks, on the fourth floor of the Tokyo Beach building.
Open 11am-7pm. 1F Mitsumura Bldg, 1-34 Kanda-Jimbocho, Chiyoda-ku. Tel: 03-3294-8801. Nearest stn: Jimbocho.

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