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

Where to Buy a Vintage Rolex in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s vintage watch market operates across four distinct tiers:

1. Central is for investment buyers.  English chats. Perhaps a glass of champagne.

2. Kwong Wa Street (Watch Street) is for quality vintage. This is where serious collectors come for the city’s finest vintage Rolex and Cartier. London Watch alone is worth the trip from anywhere in Hong Kong. The Yan On Building rewards those who know what they are looking for — authenticity is paramount and the dealers here have the reputations to match.

3.  North Mongkok Madness 

Head to North Mongkok (around Fife Street) if you want a late-90s or early-2000s Rolex as a daily wear. (aka a neo-vintage Rolex). Cutthroat margins keep prices low. Decide what you want first — a Submariner, a GMT, an Explorer — and you know your reference numbers, then head down. 

4. Chungking Mansions (Cke Mall) is for the passionate collector. Prices are sharp, knowledge is deep, and if you show up after 4pm there may be wine.

Update: VINTAGE CARTIER IN HONG KONG 

Rolex dominates the conversation, but Hong Kong has quietly become one of the best cities in the world to buy a vintage Cartier. Two dealers in particular — Thomas Tse at The Vintage Concept in Central and Alastair Wong at London Watch in Mongkok — have built serious Cartier desks alongside their Rolex stock. Thomas has d

eveloped a particular obsession with 1960s London Cartiers: the ultra-thin Cases, the unusual dials, the pieces that never make it to auction. Alastair brings a collector’s eye to rare Tank and Santos references. If vintage Cartier is your hunt, Hong Kong should be on your itinerary. Details below.

Hong Kong Island Vintage Watch shops

Central

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 and neo-vintage watches in his store.

Shop 2, Pottinger Street, Central, 6938 1928

The Vintage Concept

The best (and coolest) vintage watch shop on Hong Kong Island. Situated in the heart of Central, The Vintage Concept is your mandatory first stop.

Founder Thomas Tse is the real deal. “I love watches,” he tells me—and it shows. His grasp of the narratives behind rare references is second to none. While the stock of Rolex, Patek, and Omega is incredible, his recent obsession with 1960s London Cartiers is where the real magic is happening. (There’s a back room with refreshing beverages, ashtrays and a safe full of world class pieces).

They say you “buy the seller.” With Thomas, you’re buying 20 years of collecting grit and a 15-year retail legacy. The operation is ISO certified, offering a three-year warranty and a 100% authenticity guarantee. As Thomas puts it: “My reputation is everything.” For a technical deep dive, look for Albert, the resident specialist and a certified expert in China’s “Little Red Book”  watch Bible.

Address: Shop No.1, LG/F, Century Square, 1-13 D’Aguilar Street, Central

Phone: 2522 2301

Speciality: Unique Rolex, London Cartier, and investment-grade “Full Sets.”

1916 Company (formerly WatchBox)

For the banker in need of high-end retail therapy, The 1916 Company (formerly WatchBox) offers a  club-like sanctuary. Perched on the 14th floor, the space is designed as a refined Collector’s Lounge— plush sofas, an extensive library of reference books,  proper coffee. The knowledgeable and soignee Terence Loo is usually on site overseeing operations.

But here’s the weird part — even though 1916 Company is an official Rolex Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) partner, you can’t actually handle and buy a Rolex in person. Instead they order it for you from Rolex HQ in Switzerland. Great for ironclad provenance but where’s the buzz of the hunt? They do however stock stunning “techno-aesthetic” pieces by De Bethune, the rising niche brand which are well worth a look. Appointments advised.

Address: Unit 1402, 14/F, 1 Duddell Street, Central.

Phone: 5804 3363 / 9095 8967.

Specialty: Rolex CPO,  De Bethune

Classic Watch Repair

Classic Watch Repair (Michael Young)

A pilgrimage site! Founder Michael Young fame goes far beyond Hong Kong.  Hodinkee celebrates him as the “Rolex Bracelet Magician” for his ability to erase decades of stretch from vintage bands. But locally, he is a highly rated go-to for all vintage watch repairs. (“Did a great job repairing the mainspring of my speedy,” a friend reports).

In 2020, Michael moved from TST to a sleek, transparent workshop in Central, where you can see the masters at work through the glass. 

The shop is a high-energy hub for serious collectors. While Michael’s fame is rooted in repair, his sales desk is equally formidable, typically 100+ Rolex tool and sport watches deep. Authenticity is beyond reproach, and because he charges for upfront servicing rather than high consignment fees, his prices are remarkably sharp. 

The staff are patient, fluent in English, and technically elite. Whether you’re hunting for a crisp vintage Submariner or need recognised repair specialist, this is the gold standard.

• Address: Room 1603, 16/F, Lyndhurst Tower, 1 Lyndhurst Terrace, Central

• Phone: 2151 1777

• Website: classicwatchrepair.com

• Specialty: World-class bracelet restoration and high-volume vintage Rolex sales.

香港中環擺花街1號一號廣場16樓1603室

Berne Horology

A pilgrimage site for vintage enthusiasts, Berne Horology remains a premier destination for rare, investment-grade timepieces. Now in a more discreet setting, the showroom is managed by Quinton Ng and his father, the legendary Johnny Ng. Widely regarded as Hong Kong’s preeminent master watchmaker, Johnny Ng’s technical mastery—particularly in the restoration of complex mechanical movements—makes him a preferred consultant for Christie’s and Sotheby’s.

The inventory specializes in 1950s and 60s Rolex, Patek Philippe, AP, and Omega, plus a curated selection of antique carriage clocks. Given its 10th-floor location, this is a destination for serious collectors; appointments are strongly recommended.

Address: Unit A, 10/F, Shing Lee Commercial Building, 6-12 Wing Kut Street, Central. Phone: 2815 0008 / 2815 0080. Email: info@bernehorology.com / chiyingn@netvigator.com

Mongkok Vintage Watch Shops

Kwong Wa Street (Watch Street)

Kwong Wa Street is the raw heart of Hong Kong’s vintage watch scene, a gritty gauntlet where unassuming Mong Kok storefronts hide some of the world’s most significant steel and gold.

Known for its surreal mix of high-end horology and airsoft gun shops, Watch Street (or “Man Steeet” as locals joke) offers the most vintage Rolxes per square foot in the world.

Head to the Yan On Building (MTR Mong Kok, Exit E2) after 2:00 PM to find roughly 15 elite independent dealers — like the legends at London Watch and PnF. 

London Watch

The undisputed King of Kowloon, London Watch is a must visit. Founded by Kevin and Donald Wong, this is the original shop that transformed Kwong Wa Street into the world-famous “Watch Street”.  Now — with the help of Donald’s son Alastair Wong —  London Watch is taking the Hong Kong vintage watch story into new brands and new media.

London Watch is vintage watch heaven. Their Rolex collection is arguably the city’s finest, spanning everything from “humble” Oyster Precisions to million-dollar Paul Newman Daytonas. 

Crucially, thanks to Oxford-educated Alastair who recently returned from a long stints in New York and Europe, London Watch has also emerged as a Hong Kong leader in Cartier, curating rare Tank and Santos references with the same obsessive eye for quality and authenticity.

London Watch staff speak fluent English, have deep knowledge and prioritise extreme quality. Their reputation for authenticity is beyond question. The Wong family remains the gold standard of trust. 

Shop 7, G/F, Yan On Building, 1 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok, Hong Kong.

+852 2789 1488.

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 on your way to London Watch.

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

PnF (Past & Future Times)

Located deep in the Yan On Building, PnF is your go-to for pieces that break the Rolex-only mold. While the neighbors are locked in a Rolex arms race, Patrick’s shop thrives on a high-character inventory that ranges through Submariners to exotic Tudors,  Blancpain Mil-Spec divers and even a handful of museum quality Seiko divers. But Patrick isn’t selling the Seiko’s. “I love them too much.”

Address: Shop 14B & C, G/F, Yan On Building, 1 Kwong Wa Street, Mong Kok

Specialty: Vintage Rolex, rare Tudor, and exotic-dial chronographs.

香港旺角廣華街1號仁安大廈地下14B及C號舖

Timepiece Workshop

Timepiece Workshop is now closed to walk-ins. Founder Desmond Wong is simply too deep in restoration work for Hong Kong’s institutional vintage shops to handle casual repairs.  Mr Wong’s presence helped define the technical backbone of the Mong Kok scene.  And look – he is wearing a Seiko!

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

Fife Street, second hand Rolex madness

Where to buy a “new” second hand Rolex?

The street-level shops around Fife and Sai Yee Streets are the engine room of Hong Kong’s secondary market. Unlike the polished boutiques in Central that cater to tourists, these dealers survive on high volume and razor-thin margins. I find the best value here because the pricing sits much closer to the global wholesale floor. These shops trade with savvy locals, meaning you get “honest” watches—original tritium patina and sharp, unpolished cases and original papers —rather than pieces buffed into oblivion for a showroom window.

 

Exit Mongkok MTR and head in the direction of Fife Street  / Sai Yee Street and explore the hyper competitive cluster of neo-vintage Rolex shops. 

Wong Yan Watch (皇仁錶飾)

This is a pure street-level retail shop. They are highly active in the local community and frequently have a rotating stock of neo-vintage GMTs and Explorers. They are known for straightforward pricing without the “boutique” markup.Po Tat Watch & Jewell

Winfast Watch & Jewellery (永發錶飾) A large, prominent corner-style shop that handles a high volume of pre-owned Rolex. Because they also deal in jewelry and newer models, they often get unique neo-vintage trade-ins (like 16613 Bluesy Subs or 16233 Datejusts) from local residents. Address: G/F, No. 135B Sai Yee Street.

Good View Watch (好景錶飾)Located just a few doors down from Winfast, this shop is a staple for those hunting for “full sets” (original box and papers). They are particularly transparent about the condition of their watches, making them a safe bet for neo-vintage buyers. Address: Shop 3A, G/F, Tai Yue Mansion, 129-135 Sai Yee Street.

 

 

How to buy a second hand Rolex in Hong Kong – for the least money possible

Tsim Sha Tsui Vintage Watch shops

Cke Shopping Mall:

Don’t overlook this hidden hive of vintage watch addicts. Perched on the second floor of Chungking Mansions, Cke Shopping Mall, it seems semi-abandoned at first. But it’s a quiet vacuum that suits the shop owners just fine. Many are legendary collectors in quasi-retirement, operating out of no-frills units where the mechanical expertise far outshines the decor. They aren’t chasing foot traffic; they are in it for the joy. The vibe is unapologetically old-school: drop by after 4:00 PM, and there’s a high probability someone has opened a bottle of wine to talk shop. Address: 2/F, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui (Use the Cke escalators to the right of the main entrance)

The Greatest Watches (in Cke Mall)

Few people know Hong Kong’s vintage watch scene better than Ricky Chau, owner of The Greatest Watches. 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  Mobile: 9648 1807

Vintage Element Watch (Cke Mall)

Run by the knowledgeable Stephen Kwok, this is the scholarly choice for collectors who value honesty over polish. Stephen specialises in Rolex from 1930s to 1970s.

Vintage Element feels more like a design gallery, showcasing original high-integrity Rolexes  plus quality Tudors and Omegas from the same era. Stephen’s reputation for transparency makes Vintage Element a safe, high-trust environment for those looking to deep-dive into technical variations and rare patinas. Drop by if you are looking for an authentic vintage Rolex that will increase in value over the years.

Address: Shop 366, 2/F, Cke Shopping Mall, 36-44 Nathan Road, Tsim Sha Tsui

Phone: 2369 6293

Specialty: Vintage Omega (Constellations/Seamasters), Tudor, and clean IWC.

香港旺角廣華街1號仁安大廈地下G15號舖

Time Museum (Cke Mall)

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 (Cke Mall)

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

Master Sammy Chung

Time waits for no man, except Master Sammy Chung. This Rolex repairman has been in the business since Hong Kong flew a British flag. Shop 330 (Aisle K7), CKE Centre, 2/f, 40 Nathan Road.

WhatsApp +852 9673 7712

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

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

Kuen Kee (權記) / K.K. Watch

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

Hours: Generally 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM (though “noodle time” varies)

Read more: 5 fountain pen shops in Hong Kong

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