外国人客が中古時計店に殺到　日本製の品質に魅了され　セイコーずば抜けて人気【グッド！モーニング】(2026年7月9日)

Japanese vintage watches are gaining popularity among seniors as "birth year watches" made in the year they were born, and among foreign tourists as "Japan Used" watches that are clean and inexpensive. ■Used Watches Popular Overseas A person from the United States (21): "I'm currently wearing a Seiko watch, but today I came to look for a Cartier and a Grand Seiko." A person from Poland (30): "Japanese watches are of the highest quality." Foreigners are entering stores selling used watches one after another. Their target is Japanese vintage watches. Regarding watches, prices are soaring, especially in the luxury segment, with Seiko raising prices on some products by 43.7%, or 3.85 million yen, starting on the 6th. Amid this, in addition to the weak yen, the strong trust in the products themselves and their maintenance, as well as Japan's "culture of cherishing things," are being appreciated. Fire Kids Representative Kazuo Sato "It embodies the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship. The meticulously refined techniques and commitment to quality are evident, so foreigners often say, 'I can't believe something this good is so inexpensive!'" This store is particularly popular for its practical and retro classic watches, mainly Grand Seiko models priced between 250,000 and 600,000 yen, and Citizen models priced between 100,000 and 300,000 yen. "Seiko is overwhelmingly number one (among foreign buyers). To put it bluntly, it's twice as popular as Omega. Even if you combine Omega and Rolex, Seiko still outnumbers them." Sales in the second half of last year surged to 1.5 times that of the first half. Among them, foreign buyers increased significantly, by 1.7 times. "Some people transit through Japan, buy a watch at Fire Kids, and then head to their destination country. Some even transit just for that purpose." ■Special "Birth Year Watches" The popularity of vintage watches isn't limited to foreigners. In fact, the number of people owning "birth year watches" is increasing. Regular Customer (59) "I own two watches from my birth year. I feel like I have to live my life to the fullest, not be outdone by them." The regular customer said he bought two watches, one Japanese and one Swiss, costing around 200,000 yen each, about two years ago. Representative Sato "Everyone's birth year is a special year, so finding a watch that has walked the same path as you, motivates you to keep striving. Recently, someone bought a watch from their birth year, originally for their parents, and now passed it down to their own child—a story they envisioned." (From the broadcast on July 9, 2026) [TV Asahi NEWS] https://news.tv-asahi.co.jp