BAE Condition Guide
Pre-owned luxury deserves more precision than “good” or “excellent.” BAE uses a Japanese-style luxury resale scale to describe condition consistently across our collection. Our system is a BAE house standard inspired by grading conventions commonly used in Japanese luxury resale; it is not an official industry standard.
How we grade
We assess the whole piece, not a single flattering angle. Depending on the item, that includes the exterior material, corners and edges, glazing, handles and straps, hardware, structure and shape, interior, and any visible staining or other wear. Vintage materials age differently, so the grade summarizes overall condition rather than pretending every material behaves the same way.
Exceptionally clean with only extremely light signs of handling or use.
Lightly used with minor signs of wear visible on close inspection.
Visible but modest wear such as light corner rubbing, surface marks, or hardware scratches.
Clear signs of normal use and wear, while remaining structurally sound and fully functional.
Noticeable wear throughout, with more obvious cosmetic flaws; still usable unless specifically noted otherwise.
Significant wear, staining, scuffing, finish loss, or other flaws; best for buyers comfortable with character or restoration.
We grade conservatively
The grade is a quick summary, not a substitute for the item itself. Please review every photograph and the item-specific condition notes before purchasing. Those photographs and notes are part of the condition description and are the most detailed representation of the piece you will receive.
When an item sits between two grades, BAE generally favors the more conservative grade. We'd rather have a piece arrive better than expected than discover someone got overly creative with the word “excellent.”