How We Verify Authentic Vintage Designer Items
Whether you are shopping for a pre-loved branded bag, authentic vintage Chanel earrings, or a one-of-a-kind luxury watch, you want to know you are getting what you pay for.
At SEKINE, our top priority is to guarantee the authenticity of every item we stock in our luxury Tokyo boutiques, from real second-hand designer bags to genuine leather accessories.
Every item we source is rigorously verified – with the below process as standard and additional processes for specific products and brands.
Verified Luxury Vintage
For your peace of mind, every item that finds its way into one of SEKINE’s luxury vintage stores in Tokyo is carefully examined with a rigorous authentication process. We have three convenient locations, with a flagship store in Ikebukuro, another in the tourist hub of Shinjuku, as well as a smaller outlet in the popular district of Shibuya.
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Our masterful appraisers operate in-house to verify whether a piece is genuine or not, checking everything from the nature of the materials to barely visible hallmarks.
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As a heritage pawnshop with over 80 years in the industry, all of the SEKINE staff have specialised training and qualifications in recognising and valuing a range of luxury items, assisted by cutting-edge technology for high-tech identification.
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Once verified, each piece is laboriously cleaned and restored for an as-new, out-of-the-box appearance.
Our Authentication Process
Step 1 – Identification
Every piece that arrives at SEKINE is first identified by our in-house authenticators, who have special qualifications in the verification of luxury goods. With a history as a heritage pawnshop, all of the staff at SEKINE undergo specialist training for in-depth knowledge of authentic branding and hallmarks.
Step 2 – Verification
The two-step verification process is concluded by a final inspection from our Senior Managing Director Shunji Sekine, following authenticity checks from multiple staff members.
We scrutinise everything from the stitching consistency to logo placement, and material texture, as well as investigating any code stamps, authenticity cards or microchips.
When it comes to jewellery, watches and precious metals, we have a high-tech X-ray machine to identify the presence of precious metals and genuine components. We also use special tools to differentiate between natural and lab-grown diamonds and ultraviolet fluorescence to identify specific gemstones.
Step 3 – Cleaning and Restoration
Once verified, any real second-hand designer bags and accessories are sent for meticulous professional cleaning, with careful work to restore all items to the best possible condition prior to resale.
This includes both interior and exterior cleaning, for example, the pockets of all bags are checked for accumulated dirt and thoroughly cleansed. Meanwhile, jewellery is polished with specialist equipment and watches are sent to professional watch dealers for performance checks.
Step 4 – Grading
Every second-hand item is given a grade according to its condition, from those that are brand new with the original labels intact, to those that have been restored from showing signs of wear.
We operate a strict grading system to ensure luxury goods in every category offer only the highest quality, without compromising on price. Find out more about the grading levels below.
We also make every effort to determine the release date of an item. If there is no warranty, we can make estimations on the release date by evaluating minor features and model changes.
Step 5 – Display and Resale
Once thoroughly verified and carefully restored, pre-loved items are displayed for sale at one of our luxurious boutiques in central Tokyo, with passionate staff on hand to help you select your perfect piece. For those extra special occasions, gift wrapping is also available.
Grading Our Authentic Vintage Designer Goods
We use a grading system that is universally accepted by many of the second-hand, resale and pawnshops in Japan, offering a transparent rating for the valuation of each item.
- Unused/As-New (N): This is a category reserved for items that are effectively new and/or in mint condition. They will not have any visible marks or defects and may still come with the original packaging intact. Items in this category may display a faint odour from storage, however, this should be barely noticeable or resolve quickly. We protect any items in this category with transparent film to prevent scratches and dust from accumulating during the resale process.
- Almost New (S): Similar to the category above, these items should not show any signs of wear or obvious defects, although they may have minor imperfections such as a mild odour or very inconspicuous signs of wear.
- Very Good Condition (A): Goods in this category will typically exhibit some light signs of wear such as minor scratching, stains or marks in concealed areas, or light fabric pilling. For the most part, at SEKINE, A-grade items still appear practically brand new.
- Some Signs of Wear (B): An item with a B grade may display some more obvious defects such as scratches, marks or stains to the exterior, but will generally still be in good condition for reuse. All defects will be pointed out to the buyer before purchase for full transparency.
- Noticeable Signs of Wear (C): Grade C items usually feature more extensive damage or defects, including scratches, cracks, holes, strong odours, colour fading and other visible signs of wear. These items are offered for a much lower price point and can appeal to those looking for real second-hand designer bags and accessories at the best possible price.
Shop for Authentic Vintage Designer Pieces Today
From special processes for Louis Vuitton authentication to state-of-the-art technology for jewellery appraisal, we have a team of experts to ensure every piece we sell is verified and genuine.
Whether you’re searching for an authentic vintage Chanel bag or a real second-hand Rolex, visit our Tokyo stores today to feel the quality for yourself.