不動 combines 不 (not) and 動 (moving, working) into a direct disclosure: this watch does not run. A seller who lists a watch as 不動 has tested it and confirmed it is not operating at the time of the listing.
Context and Usage
不動 is more specific than ジャンク. Where ジャンク is a broad as-is disclaimer, 不動 makes a precise factual statement about mechanical status. The watch does not run. The cause is unknown unless the seller specifies further.
The reasons for a 不動 status vary widely. A quartz watch listed as 不動 may have simply run its battery to zero, which a ¥500 battery and ten minutes resolves. A mechanical watch listed as 不動 may have a flat mainspring from years of storage, a movement that needs cleaning and lubrication, or genuine damage to an escapement or keyless works component. The listing itself rarely tells you which it is.
The contrast with 動作未確認 (operation not confirmed) matters. 動作未確認 means the seller did not test the watch, with unknown running status. 不動 means the seller tested it and it failed. 動作品 means the watch is running and the seller has confirmed it. 不動 is the explicit negative of 動作品.
Why It Matters for JDM Buyers
For vintage Seiko dive watches, the 不動 premium-flip opportunity is real but requires a clear-eyed cost analysis. A 6309-7040 with a sound case, original dial, and intact chapter ring listed as 不動 at ¥15,000 might represent a genuine opportunity. A complete service from a competent Japanese watchmaker runs ¥18,000 to ¥25,000. A running example in comparable cosmetic condition sells on the US market for ¥60,000 to ¥80,000 equivalent. The math can work.
The math stops working when the case has polishing damage, the dial has moisture staining, or the crown tube is compromised. 不動 listings with poor photo documentation of the case and dial are high-risk buys because the non-running status may be the least of the problems. Request additional photos focused on the dial, crystal, and case flanks before committing.
First-time buyers and flippers without a trusted watchmaker relationship should skip 不動 listings entirely. The service cost and turnaround time, typically 4 to 8 weeks for a quality overhaul in Japan and longer internationally, make them incompatible with a liquid arbitrage strategy. Experienced buyers with a repair pipeline can treat 不動 listings as a discount sourcing channel for the right references.
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