Hi, I'm considering buying a nice automatic Swiss made watch.
My question is to buy in my home Australia or in Switzerland when on holiday?
Less tax in Switzerland? No VAT?
I'm considering a Rolex. (yes, yes, I know.)
or Cartier or a A. LANGE & SÖHNE. Still deciding.
Currently wearing a black and white swatch for the past 10+ years.
Thanks.
Last time I checked, Switzerland does not have income tax. They tax everything else instead, including what you buy in shops. Last time I was there, I could barely afford McDonalds. Not sure whether you can easily claim your tax on the way out.
My experience is that buying from a reputable buyer online (e.g. eBay) is often the cheapest(1) solution to luxury items, including pens, watches and mobile phones. They have to compete internationally, and their reputation is there for everyone to see. If you have an issue with the purchase, you have more legs to stand on than if you walked into a shop on the other side of the world.
(1) if you really need warranty, of course you have to buy locally or ensure to have international warranty. I accept being self-insured as long as I save enough on the purchase
No, but you can buy it cheaper than Switzerland from Germany :)
A. Lange & Sohne is a German brand…Rolex is cheaper via grey market or second hand, ALWAYS, same with cartier and A. Lange and Sohne. I suggest you also look at FP Journe, they have fantastic pieces in my opinion, the Chronometre Bleu is amazing.
Yeah, I know, but it's one of the few watches that I don't mind winding.
Fair enough. How much is it? Do you have one?
@PJC: No, if I had one my comment about it being amazing would be a bit bias, but hopefully in the future. On chrono24 it's about $30k And the chronomotre bleu is their entry level watch.
@PaoloSwings: Nice, but at that price level I don't quite see the value and would probably choose an Oris Automatic.
@PJC: 18k gold movement, I think, don't quote me on that. I have 1 Oris on my mind as well, the oris artelier 112, I think it's one of the best watches I've seen that is affordable (relative to the other 10 day power reserve in-house movements), I really like it. It isn't an automatic but it has a 10 day power reserve.
@PaoloSwings: 10 day power reserve is good enough. I rather like the white dial. It is quite unconventional for the date window to be at 9pm.
@PJC: I'm a fan of the black/dark blue dial. And yeah the date window is unconventional, but it adds a uniqueness to it. It's probably of the busiest dials I'd be interested in, besides any FP Journe watches, because his watches are so goodd (I think) that even when so much information is being conveyed it doesn't look busy.
I do say, that is one fine watch. Simple, yet so elegant.
Duty free markets like Dubai, Singapore are usually cheaper. I am not sure if you can get VAT refund if you buy from Swiz.
Malaysia - this is the current hidden gem, cities like KL (even JB but it's more expensive here due to the influx Singaporean tourists) you can consistently get 20-30% off Australian prices on luxury goods.
Quite a lot of purchasing power with the ringgit despite its weak FX
Good to know, lots of lay overs in Malaysia. Will check out the luxury good scene.
I'm considering a Rolex. (yes, yes, I know.)
What's wrong with owning a Rolex?
Nothing. Looks sharp with your Hugo Boss suit in your BMW 3 series…
More like my hot hatch Corolla!
Nothing, my Lorex watch is cheap and cheerful. ;)
From my understanding, Rolex owners are know to be pompous twats. I still wouldn't mind, sticks & stone~… :P
I will check out prices here in Aus first. Will be heading over to Europe towards the end of the year. Time to retire the swatch. Will update as I go.
I see a lot of Thais, Chinese wearing Rolex watches…
There must be a main distributor in Logan because quite a few of the upmarket residents (Burberry thongs) wear them.
Confirming as expensive if not more in Switzerland.
The missus had to buy one from there regardless…
Good to know.
"Had to buy"~ hahahaaha. If you don't mind me asking, which model did your missus buy and how much in $AUD?
I may get one for the missus too.
The cheapest place to buy quality watches is the north east of USA. Be wary of dealing with sellers on Ebay, there are a lot of scams and fakes being marketed by fringe operators.
I can recommend Govberg Watches, a well-established luxury watch retailer (George Mayer) who have authorised dealers for most luxury brands. George gets a lot of his sales from word of mouth referrals by the serious collectors on the watch collector forums, so he is not going to do the wrong thing because his reputation would be shot to pieces. Do your homework on make model colour and ask him for a price. They are reluctant to put too much information in writing but they can be trusted. The reason is that they get penalised if caught discounting. I saved $2K on a Brietling. Delivery was 3 days from Philadelphia via Fedex. If you contact him, give him my regards ( I bought two watches from him) and would be interested in knowing how you do.
I got as 30% discount on a new Omega in Dubai Mall. No hassle whatsoever. Decide exactly what you want and go in 15 mins before closing time.
I was in Geneva a few months ago. Have been a Tissot man for a while and thought I would either expand the range or step up into the next bracket (Rolex Datejust 2).
Until I saw the prices, that is.
After currency conversion etc, ended up being higher than Australian RRP. Quite a few of the well known boutiques (Rolex, Omega, IWC, AP etc) didnt even have stock of all models available to try on which was quite disappointing so I couldnt even try on to find the right model/fit for me then buy grey market. So rude :P
Swiss watches are actually quite expensive in Switzerland. Perhaps slightly more or equally as expensive as Australia. You'll find bigger range there but its they don't tend to haggle much.
An AD in Asia (Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong to a degree, etc.) would be a better bet to get a good discount. I've heard Middle East is pretty decent too.