Guide : Buying Rolex in Europe

[LimTH]

Guide : Buying Rolex in Europe

Hi Everyone,

I'm making a trip to Germany, Switzerland, Denmark & Sweden later this month.

Is it really cheaper to get a Rolex over there, Please give some advise so that i can prepare myself.

Thanks
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[roosterkkk]

Carribbeans is the playground of the rich and famous from US... They are bound to have some nice watches there. And if I'm not wrong, no sales tax there. So ends up cheaper for the tourists.

True.. however Americans don't chase Rolexes like Asians..
As indiicated found my Sub LV but paid almost 8.5K.. then it was the list price and USD was at its peak... USD1 = SGD1.75

[chongj88]

It is generally easier to find Special Edition Rolexes in smaller town or cities. Actually I was surprised to find a Sub LV in a small island in the Carribbeans.. when it was first launched.

Carribbeans is the playground of the rich and famous from US... They are bound to have some nice watches there. And if I'm not wrong, no sales tax there. So ends up cheaper for the tourists.

[golfball123]

SS gmt iic at stg3600 before discount of about 17% is a steal !

[roosterkkk]

For £2300, after conversion to SGP at about 2.65 that will be about S$6,095. That is couple of hundreds cheaper as compared to getting from my HG SA after discount. Cartier Santos is retailing at about S$8,450 if i remember correctly. If there is VAT refund, then its quite worthy to get in UK especially with current exchange rate.

all boils down to leg work and comparing and opportunity

[evets]

I have spoken with my AD, she said that Rolex UK will most likely increase their prices by about 10% across the range in Sept/October. Time will tell and it is most likely because of the weakening £ against the Euro. As for discount, I asked if she could give me good price off a Cartier Santos for my mother, she said she could only give £100 off brining the price to £2300. I would buy a Cariter in SG obviously.

For £2300, after conversion to SGP at about 2.65 that will be about S$6,095. That is couple of hundreds cheaper as compared to getting from my HG SA after discount. Cartier Santos is retailing at about S$8,450 if i remember correctly. If there is VAT refund, then its quite worthy to get in UK especially with current exchange rate.

[roosterkkk]

it depends, my AD has a black Milgauss, SS GMT IIC + TT GMT IIC in stock - all selling at list. The GMT IIC is not as hard to get a hold of as a sub or SD - wait no more than 2 months. Eventually, the Milgauss and GMT IIC will be dimes in the dozen, they won't be as scarce as Daytonas.

It is generally easier to find Special Edition Rolexes in smaller town or cities. Actually I was surprised to find a Sub LV in a small island in the Carribbeans.. when it was first launched.

[profjohn]

yeah but

it depends, my AD has a black Milgauss, SS GMT IIC + TT GMT IIC in stock - all selling at list. The GMT IIC is not as hard to get a hold of as a sub or SD - wait no more than 2 months. Eventually, the Milgauss and GMT IIC will be dimes in the dozen, they won't be as scarce as Daytonas.

[roosterkkk]

In other words, buy a Rolex or any watch in the UK only if it is a hard-to-find one that commands a premium in SG. Only the Milgauss (white/Black £3180, GV: £3380) and GMT IIC (£3600) would be cheaper here than Sg. British AD's don't sell at premiums - except for Daytonas.

Agreed.. then, demand in Uk for Special Edition Rolexes are also not easy to find considering the high demand there..

[profjohn]

well-said

In other words, buy a Rolex or any watch in the UK only if it is a hard-to-find one that commands a premium in SG. Only the Milgauss (white/Black £3180, GV: £3380) and GMT IIC (£3600) would be cheaper here than Sg. British AD's don't sell at premiums - except for Daytonas.

[roosterkkk]

Hi,

Any one bought Rolex in London before? Will it be cheaper? Cos going in Dec...

- Whats the discount for Date Just Ladies?
- Tax rebates and the procedures...
- Does this price list still valid? (http://www.minus4plus6.com/rolex-pricelists.htm)

Thanks in advance...

I had compared prices previously...(2 years ago)... Generally Rolexes are more expensive in UK.. IMO

[profjohn]

UK Rolex price increase in Sept most likely

I have spoken with my AD, she said that Rolex UK will most likely increase their prices by about 10% across the range in Sept/October. Time will tell and it is most likely because of the weakening £ against the Euro. As for discount, I asked if she could give me good price off a Cartier Santos for my mother, she said she could only give £100 off brining the price to £2300. I would buy a Cariter in SG obviously.

[profjohn]

Be Selective in UK

Hi,

Any one bought Rolex in London before? Will it be cheaper? Cos going in Dec...

- Whats the discount for Date Just Ladies?
- Tax rebates and the procedures...
- Does this price list still valid? (http://www.minus4plus6.com/rolex-pricelists.htm)

Thanks in advance...

Dear Guru

I have been living and working in the UK after I finished my studies here. There is a different way of doing business in this side of the world. As for Rolex and Panerai, don't expect any discount unless it's a very unpopular model. Ask very nicely as some AD's are very rude and arrogant - esp to Asian tourists. I personally have bought most of my Rolex watches when I return to see my parents in SG where discounts can be found easily in KHH/THG. So, be selective, you might be pleased to know that AD's here do not sell the hard-to-get models like Milgauss, GMT IIC at premiums.

In Feb, before the price rises I bought a Sub LV for list price at £3030 and then a Pam 219 Destro for £2700. No discount was given. After getting these two, I have developed a good relationship with my AD and they have informed me that price rises from 1 Sept will take effect for Panerai (Rolex likely). So, last week, after ringing them up to enquire about their stock,my SE said they would be pleased to sell me their Pam 0000 and 00005 at list price at £2200 and £2300 respectively before the increase. They would be keeping their other stock in the safe until the rise. I immediately drove down to buy the 2 Pams. My AD has a good range of Pams and they stock more than the ADs I've seen in Oxford, Birmingham, Leeds, London, and Singapore. They even have a 113, 112, 40 and 191. Although I'm not eligible for tax rebates, I'm glad I bought my 3 Pams here all at list price w/o discounts. I live in Oxford but I drive about 1 hr to see my AD, who is 'George Pragnell the jewellers' in Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare's Home Village). So if you go to Stratford to see Shakespeare's house, pay them a visit. The larger AD's like Goldsmiths, watches of Switzerland are where most people go to so their stocks for popular models can be quite low. The smaller AD's outside main cities may have slightly larger stocks. My AD's website is: www.pragnell.co.uk

Note, if you pay by credit card, and if it has no chip and pin, ask your bank if transactions over certain amts will be approved overseas. UK banking system is very backward - even if you pay by debit card, for amounts over £2000, the bank will do security check with you.

[jazz_samz]

UK GST is known as Value Added Tax or VAT. Their VAT is 17.5%. Tax rebate procedure is close to Singapore.. the shop you bought the goods from will fill in the form for you, you deposit at the airport and rebate will be via CC... Thats was what I did 5 yrs back lah.. duno hw much this changed.

But note tat you will not get the FULL 17.5% back, they will deduct 30 to 80 SGD per form submitted depending on the value for administration fee...

THats all I can advice you bro.. duno abt their AD or discount available, back then not really keen on watches... LEts wait for other brother's input...

[The Guru]

Guide : Getting Rolex in London

Hi,

Any one bought Rolex in London before? Will it be cheaper? Cos going in Dec...

- Whats the discount for Date Just Ladies?
- Tax rebates and the procedures...
- Does this price list still valid? (http://www.minus4plus6.com/rolex-pricelists.htm)

Thanks in advance...