中古 (chuuko) means used or second-hand. In Japanese watch listings on Yahoo Auctions Japan and Mercari Japan, it appears in titles, condition tags, and seller descriptions to indicate the piece is not new. The term sets a baseline expectation but says nothing specific about wear level or condition quality.
What Chuuko Tells You
A 中古 label on a watch listing tells you the watch was owned before and is not in retail packaging. It does not tell you how worn the case is, whether the movement has been serviced, or whether the original bracelet is present. Condition specifics are disclosed separately by the seller, often through a combination of graded condition labels and free-text descriptions.
On Yahoo Auctions Japan, 中古 is typically paired with a more specific condition grade. A listing might read 中古 and carry a numeric grade from the platform's own condition scale, or a seller-assigned term like [美品] (bihin, very good) or [良品] (ryohin, good). When no specific grade appears alongside 中古, the condition is unknown and buyers should examine photos carefully or ask the seller for more information.
Tonbo's scoring system treats condition disclosures conservatively. Listings with confirmed damage flags are excluded from scoring. Listings marked 中古 without additional condition information pass through the filter and are labeled as unknown condition in alert cards.
Chuuko vs. Other Condition Terms
The condition terminology on Japanese platforms forms a rough hierarchy. At the top, 新品 (shinpin) means new and unused. Below that, several terms describe degrees of used condition:
- 未使用 (mishiyo) — unworn but not new, typically from old stock or storage
- 美品 (bihin) — very good, minimal wear
- 良品 (ryohin) — good condition, light use apparent
- 中古 (chuuko) — generic used, no specific grade
- ジャンク (janku) — junk, sold as-is for parts
中古 sits in the middle and is most commonly used as a generic catch-all when the seller has not assigned a more specific grade.
For JDM Buyers
When evaluating a 中古 listing, look for condition photos that show the caseback, crown, crystal, and bracelet. Condition-critical details on vintage Seiko and King Seiko pieces — original dial, hands, and bezel inserts — are not always mentioned in the text. A listing can be legitimately 中古 while still containing parts-replaced or mixed components, so photo review matters on any piece where originality affects value.
Related Terms
- 美品 (Bihin) — very good used condition
- ジャンク (Janku) — junk/parts condition
- 不動 (Fudo) — non-running
- 動作確認済 (Dosa-kakunin-zumi) — operation confirmed
- OH済 (OH-zumi) — serviced
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