Where to buy a vintage watch in Hong Kong

Hong Kong is a world centre for the vintage watch market – especially vintage Rolex watches. Follow this expert guide to uncover the city’s hidden world of collectors and craftsmen.

Table Of Contents

Hong Kong Island
Tsim Sha Tsui
Mongkok
Sham Shui Po
- Read more: 5 fountain pen shops in Hong Kong

Hong Kong Island

Raymond Chung

Old is gold. And Rolex is best. The best vintage watch dealer on Hong Kong Island is a one-man operation working out of a tiny stall on Pottinger Street. Raymond Chung is a legend, renowned for his knowledge of vintage Rolex watches and patience. His tiny, tin-box, street shop is always busy with customers both new and ancient. Chung has great English, and it’s a joy to watch him work. He is your go-to repair guy for Rolex Oyster and tool watches; and always has a fresh bag of high quality vintage watches in his store.

Shop 2, Pottinger Street, Central, 6938 1928

Berne Horology

A must for vintage watch enthusiasts, Berne Horology has many rare, fine-condition watches. Their Sheung Wan branch is ruled by Johnny Ng, one of the city’s leading watch repair craftsman (Christie’s and Sotheby’s use him). The 30-year-old shop stocks 1950s and 60’s Rolex, Longines, AP, and Omega plus a good selection of antique carriage clocks wall clocks. “Window shoppers” are not encouraged. Ring the doorbell to get buzzed in or email Mr. Johnny Ng at chiyingn@netvigator.com.

180 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 2815 5255

Tse Collection

“We don’t say vintage, we say second hand,” explains an assistant at this no-nonsense shop. Tse Collection has four (or five) outlets across Hong Kong. The company founder began decades ago as pawn shop broker, and it shows. Their Lockhart Road branch – like their Tsim Sha Tsui branch – is focused on Rolexes, Rolexes and Rolexes. Most stock is from the 1990’s and 2000’s. Good English is spoken. Fair prices given. And authenticity is guaranteed. Great if you are looking for an unworn, 10 year old Rolex, with box and papers. But otherwise, a bit soulless.

441 Lockhart Road, Causeway Bay

WatchBox

An upscale vintage store for investment collectors and bankers seeking retail therapy. Up on the 14th floor, Watchbox designed more as a laid back place for customers to drop in, with free coffee, comfy sofas and coffee table reference books. Its sleek global website features a deep and dizzying array of AP’s, Panerai’s, Pateks and more. If you are looking for a high quality vintage Rolex, and provenance and authenticity matters more than price, this is your place. Bargain hunters and window shoppers, expect a cold shoulder.

Unit 1402, 14/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central, 5804 3363

The Vintage Concept

Overpriced and up its ass, this vintage watch boutique is another addition to the growing trend of exclusive watch stores. You’re buzzed in, and given the once over by haughty staff with dyed hair. Their stock is overpriced and limited to a few Rolex subs. Don’t waste your time.

15 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central, 2522 2301

Tsim Sha Tsui

Classic Watch Repair

Don’t miss: This world-famous vintage watch repair shop has an excellent collection of classic Rolexes for sale. It’s fun to visit. The staff speak English fluent, are patient and highly knowledgable.

When we visited in late 2019 there were around 130 vintage Rolex tool and sport watches for sale. Authenticity is beyond reproach. But they were also good value. There are two reasons for this. First; the shop is on the 11/f, so doesn’t have to spend on rent. And second; sellers don’t pay consignment fees. Rather, the shop charges a fee to service and authenticate every watch before it offered for sale. A lot of Hong Kong Rolex collectors sell their watches here.

It’s also a great place to get a vintage watch serviced. Founder, Michael Young, is globally esteemed. You can read more about their repair services, prices and some first hand experiences of getting your watch repaired here on our post Vintage Watch Repairs in Hong Kong.

Unit A, 11/F, 2 Carnarvon Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (MTR Exit D2), 2151 1777

The Greatest Watches

Few people know Hong Kong’s vintage watch scene better than Ricky Chau. He has more than 20 years experience in watch collecting and repairs, and a very loyal following. His main business is finding high quality authentic vintage watches for his customers and doing “simple” repairs. “I got into watches because of their mechanics,” he says. He can fix most watch brands (and Le Coultre Atmos clocks). But will give you a discount on non-Rolex pieces. “I’m a bit bored of Rolex,” he says.

Shop 201, CE Mall, 2/F, Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Time Museum

Addicts eventually start dealing. Time Museum is how collectors, Andrew Cheung and Alan Jim, fund their own horological habit. “It started with Rolex, but now I’m in deep,” says Andrew Cheung, who’s personal collection runs 300 vintage watches deep. His customers are international buyers and the new generation of Chinese collectors looking to demonstrate wealth and connoisseurship. “Once it was all about Rolex, but mainland Chinese are travelling now and want to demonstrate greater knowledge”. Andrew’s main job is CEO of a manufacturing company. But he spends an increasing amount of time at the shop drinking tea and chatting with other dealers and enthusiasts at Chungking Mansions. “What I can say? I like watches.”

Shop 2-133, 2/F, CE Mall, Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Watch Navi

Small but perfectly formed, Derek Wong’s shop reflects a 20-year passion for high quality tool watches. He carries more than 100 brands of rare aviator and dive watches going back to WWII. “You won’t see these watches anywhere else,” he says. And he’s right. Mr Wong has fluent English (he spends a lot of time hunting down gems in the USA and Britain) and a deep technical knowledge. “But in the end,” he says “there are watches you just fall in love with. You can’t explain why. It just clicks.”

Shop 2-181, 2/F, CE Mall, Chungking Mansions, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Pak Lee Trading Company

Industry old boys, Pak Lee don’t transmit a whole lot of enthusiasm. They have been in business over 30 years (13 years in their current location) and carry a good selection of vintage Panerai and Rolex. (Including a $886,000 Daytona). Their business is focused on an existing network of local dealers. On slow days staff may engage with international buyers, but taking a watch out of their display case often appears to involve physical pain.

Shop 12, Far East Mansions, 5-6 Middle Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, 9091 1521

Hong Kong Watch Guild Show

Once a month the Hong Kong Watch Guild holds a vintage watch fair. Entrance is $400 for early birds, then $150 after 10:30am and free after noon. It’s a fun scrum in a venerable hotel. And a great place to meet city horologists, hard nosed dealers and passionate hobbyists. Click here to check the dates for upcoming shows.

Golden Mile Holiday Inn, 50 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Mongkok

Timepiece Workshop

Don’t miss this place! Timepiece Workshop is friendly family repair shop that sells rare and “non famous” post war vintage watch brands. Founder Desmond Tang, is a watch repair “si fu” with 20 years experience. His son Frankie Tang and nephew Terry Lo, who both speak good English, train at his side. “Our focus is on history’s beautiful but less well known watches,” says Desmond. “All our pieces are guaranteed because we service them all ourselves.” We bought a beautiful Le Coultre chronograph with a Valjoux 72 movement here. The shop also sells high quality watch straps at the lowest price in Hong Kong.

G12, Young City, G/F Yan On Building, 1 Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok, 93492399

London Watches

Vintage Rolex heaven! London Watch is world renowned and trusted. It has knowledgeable staff and a arguably Hong Kong’s best collection of vintage Rolex watches, including very early subs and pristine Daytona’s (worth $1,000,000). Good English is spoken and staff are happy to show watches to serious buyers. Best part: the authenticity of their product is beyond question.

Yan On Building, Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok

Grateful Time Company

This small shop is a great place to buy vintage watches. It offers cash for Rolexes. It’s small, fast and great value. We bought a 2001 Explorer here (with box and tags) for less than eBay, plus a promise that if we wanted to return it within a year for 80% we could, no questions asked. Great English is spoken by the young brothers who are increasingly stepping in for Dad. You can see some of their stock on Chronos24.

Yan On Building, Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok, 3188 1292

Ken’s Watches

Established in 2002, Ken’s Watches sells both new and pre-owned watches, from contemporary popular timepieces to rare collectibles. International brands, including Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Panerai, Rolex, IWC, Cartier, Omega, Franck Muller, Jaeger LeCoultre, Tudor, etc. We consider all reasonable trades and give the best offer possible to buy your watches. They also provide repair & renewal services for our customers. Worth a look ion your way to London Watch.

B1-A, Shop No. 16, G/F, Yan On Building, 1 Kwong Wa Street, Mongkok, 6999 9993

Sham Shui Po

Apliu Street Market

Apliu Street’s famous electrical market has five second hand watch stalls in close proximity. Pickings are slim but there are sometimes surprises. You can sometimes pick up 90’s Seiko dive watch, 80’s Rado’s, and old LED’s for cheap. Several stalls sell China-made nato straps, watch tools and magnifying loops. Apliu Street brims with electronic madness so it’s always fun nosing around.

Top tip: Apliu Street Stall holders dislike aggressive Temple Street-style haggling. Gently does it. Most stall holders do a brisk trade and would rather loose your sale than loose face. Remember to smile!

Apliu Street, Sham Shui Po

Chee Lik Chuen Watch Repairs

Wonderful old-style family run shop. Mr Chee Lik Cheun and his sister know their stuff, while their teenage daughter handles the English to Cantonese translations. A complete strip and clean of a manual watch is around $800. Great and honest attitude. And something of a trip back in time. Shop also has a few vintage Omegas (Connnies, Seamasters, Cosmics) and other relics of 1960s and 1970s for sale.

43 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po, 6194 5941

25 Pei Ho Street

Bizarre place. Chock-full of Rolexes at very competitive prices. Local vintage watch dealers buy wholesale here. Red velvet is draped over their glass showcases at noodle eating time (which seems to last most of the day). Worth a visit for the people watching alone.

25 Pei Ho Street, Sham Shui Po