MBK/Bangkok visit report

[Brietling Fan]

I thought I'd post a quick report on my first visit to the MBK mall earlier this month.   I was in Bangkok for a day/night as part of my travels in the region.

 

Before I went, I read lots of posts on here to see whether it was worthwhile going and how/where to find the best watches as it's a pretty big place.  Most of those posts are a little old - but I found them helpful and hope you guys find this post the same.

 

Here we go:

 

1)  MBK is definitely worth a visit if you're in a mood to shop whether it be for replica watches, clothes, real and replica handbags etc.  The second floor had lots of handbag shops for the wife to look around (Pharaoh's is one of the best) while I nosed around upstairs on the 3rd floor where the majority of watch shops are.  The handbags are of excellent quality and it's possible to get 'dead ringers' if you look carefully enough. 

 

2)  I couldn't find some of the shops I read about on here after looking really hard.  Some watch shops were in the described location but with different names.  I suspect the names/locations/owners of shops may change over the years so don't get too hung up about going to a particular shop you've read about - there are plenty of shops to keep you busy.  If you know your stuff and what to look for quality and price wise then who cares about the name of the shop?

 

3)  On display and first offered by the shops are $50 replicas which members of this forum probably aren't interested in.  As stated on here previously, you have to ask for the good stuff and you will be presented with 'swiss' or 'eta' goods.  Most shops have catalogues you can browse through.

 

4)  If you have a specific watch in mind you may be disappointed as I found all the shops to stock pretty much the same options, probably their best sellers or stock they need to shift which you can't blame them for.  If you're in town for a few days you could ask them to make an order or just use the TDs.  For me, this was a trip to see what was there and to have a lucky dip as it were, if I didn't see anything I liked I would walk away having enjoyed looking.

 

5)  I was offered different starting prices for the same watch in different shops so its worth visiting a few, seeing stock and asking for their best price before you negotiate for real.

 

6)  Nah Piek on the ground floor was as previously described, a little frosty.  What they had was very, very good but not what I was looking for and above my budget.

 

I was looking for a little treat, nothing too pricey.  After a little (not hard!) bargaining I ended up getting an 'ultimate' green sub for $80 less than my usual TD (including shipping charge).  I asked to see the movement to make sure it wasn't a cheap one.  I surprised myself with the choice but it was my wife's input which helped me pick it, I was in a 'go for it' holiday mood.  It's a little different, makes a change from my black DSSD and having spent many hours swimming and snorkelling with it I'm very happy.

 

I also got myself a nice leather mulberry wallet for $15 which I could have probably bargained harder for. The way I look at it, the effort needed to save a few more $ isn't worth it when the amount saved is so small to me yet means a lot for a shopkeeper in a developing country.  Its also awkward and embarrasing when you get to a particular point.  I've bought unbranded wallets at home before for more which aren't as nice. Some people get a kick getting the lowest price/best deal possible whereas some are just happy to get a better deal than at home. 

 

Something I found interesting, I'd read about people overhearing conversations at the genuine/pre-owned shops where big bucks were at stake.  I came across one such convo on my walk round and, to me, there was something fishy about it.  It was as if the conversation was a little staged, starting just as I walked up and with the buyer repeatedly saying 'that's a good price but.....'.  I looked at the calculator displaying the price the shopkeeper had punched in and it was $17k!  

 

It seemed as if the conversation was being played out for my benefit, talking too loud, the calculator facing my way too, the enthusiastic endorsement of the 'buyer' (who says 'that's a good price' when negotiating?).  I wondered if this was some ploy to make dumb tourists trust the quality of stock at this particular shop and end up getting a very good replica for gen prices, or something along those lines.  I may be completely off and too cynical but rip-offs and scams do happen.

 

Anyway, I hope this will help anyone going to Bangkok soon.

 

[sputim]

Very nice write up and interesting to read glad you found an sub you like for such a low price. May you upload some pics of it? Would be interesting to see.

[Stephane]

Thanks a lot BF for this very interesting post!
Enjoy your new babies.

Cheers
Stephane

[highoeyazmuhudee]

Nah Piek is a miserable old bastard with no interpersonal skills. surprised he's still in business with his poor business relations and terrible quality control on the pieces he sells.

[Brietling Fan]

There was a large Chinese woman manning Nah Piek when I went - unless that's him!

[Donerix 2.0]

No he is a little guy

I just sent a friend there and he walked away with a nice 1665 GW with Swiss movement.

I think he paid 9,000 BAHT which is around $275 I think and not bad at all.

I still have my GWSD that I bought about 6 years ago from Nah Piek and it is still running strong and has seen a lot of use in and out of the water….