Every watch on NipponRareTime gets one of five condition grades. The grade describes what you can see: case, dial, hands, crystal and bracelet. Each product page also lists the details line by line, with a photo of every flaw.
The five grades
- New old stock (NOS): never worn, factory condition; protective film or tags may still be present.
- Excellent: minimal marks visible only under magnification; dial and hands flawless.
- Very good: light signs of use; dial without flaws visible to the naked eye.
- Good: normal visible wear (scratches, light patina), described and photographed.
- Collector: notable flaws or a service to plan; priced accordingly.
What the grade does not cover
The grade is about appearance. Originality (all original, original service parts, some parts replaced), what comes with the watch (box, papers) and whether it has been serviced are listed separately on each page. Unless the page says otherwise, a vintage watch is not guaranteed water resistant.
Patina
A dial that has aged evenly over fifty years is not a defect: it is part of the watch's history. We always say when patina is present and show it in the photos.