Guide : Buying Rolex in Europe

[Otar]

will be good to email the overseas AD to enquire about the stock availability, price, discount etc before your trip.

this is how i manage to get my green sub when i was in UK last month. not the cheapest, but still alot cheaper than in sgp. the difference in price is due mainly to the VAT rebate.

[PorkyPig]

Bro lufu, check this out....

http://www.watches.co.uk/watches/inf...erial-numbers/

[lufu]

So, u need to ask the shops. U will be surprised that some shops are quite willing to discount.
Then again, they might be clearing their old stocks so u need to check the serial numbers or batch numbers.

correct me if I am wrong.
you won't be able to tell the year of manufacturer. Only G that tells you it's from 2010 onwards

[lufu]

Buying from AD in Singapore or overseas directly it's always better than buying it off Grey Dealer (personal opinion)
After all one is spending $10k easily. I won't trust Rolex Service Centre to do a good authenticity ver. for $100 over dollars.

They may not even open up the watch to check. Maybe just visual inspection. Furthermore do they issue a authenticity cert after that. I gaurantee not

Sometime you may get good prices in SG too. E.g the recent ANZ cash rebate and DBS cash rebate.

Credit card Euro rate can be very bad unless you pay in cash

[Saggice]

its a better deal in europe now because of the currency. =)

[dezy]

Bro Porky, just PM you.... thanks

[PorkyPig]

Usually ppl trade at Rolex Service Centre in Orchard Road.
Heard the Cost of verification of Rolex is S$ 107 inclusive of GST, though i never tried before.

Like i said, do your hunting in Singapore first.
Do note that Rolex increased prices worldwide in June2012.
Price increased varies with the models.... And can vary quite abit around that time.
E.g.in Singapore, DSSD increased from 14100 to 15780, but GMT only increased from abt 10500 to 10980.

Then Have a look here in sg-roc.
That will give u a good guide on how much ppl are bringing in the watches from overseas AD.
Bear in mind u probably cannot beat their prices cos it is an effort to bring in at low cost.

Then shop around in Europe, that way, u will know when u come across a good deal.
Note that Switz may not be the best place to buy rolex although the Swiss made them... Due to a varied of reasons i mentioned in my earlier email.
On the other hand, Euros is quite low now compared to early this year.

I do hope u get what u are looking for
Most impt, enjoy the hunting journey.
Cos the Hunting journey can be more enjoyable than getting the product itself.... Good Luck and have fun!!

[satch]

Porky pig is spot on.

For me watch hunting is part of the fun when I travel. I dont normally have a tight agenda when traveling so can afford to spend time looking around.

Just do your maths properly. But if u are in a hurry as long as price is right just get it. Even if same price as grey dealers I prefer getting direct from shops cos of service and also better piece of mind (personal thing).

[GlowBoi]

Hi Glowboi,

Buying watches in Europe is a tricky business and it is not a simple task for holiday makers to grab good deals off the shops unless you are very very lucky. Let me explain further...

1. VAT Refund. This is the most obvious.
Different euro zones have differing VAT refunds.
Some as much as 17-20% refund! This one easy google info.

2. Discounts. Different shops provide different discounts, even for the very popular sports models (yeap, i got discounts for DSSD and GMT2c). Especially for frequent travellers and buyers, they do get preferential discounts.... 5-10% some models even more!!!
So, u need to ask the shops. U will be surprised that some shops are quite willing to discount.
Then again, they might be clearing their old stocks so u need to check the serial numbers or batch numbers.

3. Exchange Rates. Unless you are a Forex Expert, u probably cannot predict that wat u are getting is at a all time LOW. A case of example for me and my fren. He got his GMT2c in Jan12 and i got mine in May12 - same shop, same watch model and series, same discounts. Yet, mine was almost s$500 cheaper becos the euro started to drop! And it is still dropping until Rolex increase their price to even out things. Forex will wipe out any discounts u can squeeze out from the shop.
Do note tat swiss francs, danish kroner, english pounds, and the Euros have slight exchange fluctuations too.

4. Stock. Having said all these. Even u are at the right place, lowest exchange rate, best discounts, etc, there is no point if there is NO STOCK! Usually, good prices = no stock.... Becos ppl do their homework and snap up good deals
When i was in Paris for holiday in July, i walked into at least 10shops, yet i cannot find a single GMT2c for a fren.
So, .... Popularity of the Models and brands do play an important part.
Then again, Perhaps they might be holding them.

As there are alot of dealers here, i am not a liberty to reveal my source.
But for your reference....
In May2012, i have seen DSSD at 11700sgd, ...
and i got my DSSD (g series) at 10980sgd and GMT2c (alpha numeric) at 8150sgd.... Which i am proud owner of both now.
I have also seen my fren got his expII at less than 8300 sgd.
Nevertheless, these prices might not be the lowest then but they are definitely amongst the lowest at that time.
Post June12, these prices are of course not possible anymore becos Rolex increased their price.

In sum, my advise to u is that u must do your homework locally in Singapore.
If the europe shop can give you good discounts and the VAT refund is good, get it u calculate it to be cheaper.
Do Note that credit card rates are usually higher though.
U might not get the BEST deal but most likely it is cheaper than Singapore.
Becos if u travel to the next city, mayb no stock? No more good price?

Put it simply, the grey markets and dealers can sell here at a good price (and still make a decent profit), possibly becos they have done alot of cooordination, waiting time, and bringing back the item.
Hence, it might save u alot of trouble getting one overseas youself.... Except authencity of the watch is always a concern.
I am not advocating buying here is better than overseas as i am neither a dealer, nor a collector.
Just a simple watch admirer at all the nice watches here

I do hope you find the above useful to your shopping.
Happy shopping and enjoy your honeymoon!!

Thanks bro for the detailed explanation! Looks like its gonna be a tough hunt for me... If I buy from say, paid advertisers here, is there a way I can validate the authenticity of the watch?

[PorkyPig]

Hi Glowboi,

Buying watches in Europe is a tricky business and it is not a simple task for holiday makers to grab good deals off the shops unless you are very very lucky. Let me explain further...

1. VAT Refund. This is the most obvious.
Different euro zones have differing VAT refunds.
Some as much as 17-20% refund! This one easy google info.

2. Discounts. Different shops provide different discounts, even for the very popular sports models (yeap, i got discounts for DSSD and GMT2c). Especially for frequent travellers and buyers, they do get preferential discounts.... 5-10% some models even more!!!
So, u need to ask the shops. U will be surprised that some shops are quite willing to discount.
Then again, they might be clearing their old stocks so u need to check the serial numbers or batch numbers.

3. Exchange Rates. Unless you are a Forex Expert, u probably cannot predict that wat u are getting is at a all time LOW. A case of example for me and my fren. He got his GMT2c in Jan12 and i got mine in May12 - same shop, same watch model and series, same discounts. Yet, mine was almost s$500 cheaper becos the euro started to drop! And it is still dropping until Rolex increase their price to even out things. Forex will wipe out any discounts u can squeeze out from the shop.
Do note tat swiss francs, danish kroner, english pounds, and the Euros have slight exchange fluctuations too.

4. Stock. Having said all these. Even u are at the right place, lowest exchange rate, best discounts, etc, there is no point if there is NO STOCK! Usually, good prices = no stock.... Becos ppl do their homework and snap up good deals
When i was in Paris for holiday in July, i walked into at least 10shops, yet i cannot find a single GMT2c for a fren.
So, .... Popularity of the Models and brands do play an important part.
Then again, Perhaps they might be holding them.

As there are alot of dealers here, i am not a liberty to reveal my source.
But for your reference....
In May2012, i have seen DSSD at 11700sgd, ...
and i got my DSSD (g series) at 10980sgd and GMT2c (alpha numeric) at 8150sgd.... Which i am proud owner of both now.
I have also seen my fren got his expII at less than 8300 sgd.
Nevertheless, these prices might not be the lowest then but they are definitely amongst the lowest at that time.
Post June12, these prices are of course not possible anymore becos Rolex increased their price.

In sum, my advise to u is that u must do your homework locally in Singapore.
If the europe shop can give you good discounts and the VAT refund is good, get it u calculate it to be cheaper.
Do Note that credit card rates are usually higher though.
U might not get the BEST deal but most likely it is cheaper than Singapore.
Becos if u travel to the next city, mayb no stock? No more good price?

Put it simply, the grey markets and dealers can sell here at a good price (and still make a decent profit), possibly becos they have done alot of cooordination, waiting time, and bringing back the item.
Hence, it might save u alot of trouble getting one overseas youself.... Except authencity of the watch is always a concern.
I am not advocating buying here is better than overseas as i am neither a dealer, nor a collector.
Just a simple watch admirer at all the nice watches here

I do hope you find the above useful to your shopping.
Happy shopping and enjoy your honeymoon!!

[lufu]

I'm so in love with the Explorer II!

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...l-m216570-0001

Saw from the garage here that a brand new is $8600 neg., what kind of price would be considered a good buy, regardless of whether I buy it in sg or in Europe?

216570 Retail price $10580 from AD in Singapore. You will never find it at $8600 anyway in Europe even after VAT refund. Been to a few cities and never had it at this price. It's just not possible. BNIB $8600 Neg? It's a really good deal then

[GlowBoi]

I'm so in love with the Explorer II!

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...l-m216570-0001

Saw from the garage here that a brand new is $8600 neg., what kind of price would be considered a good buy, regardless of whether I buy it in sg or in Europe?

[triton]

answer is yes and no. depends on which country. so my suggestion is consider 2-3 models. go local ad check price. the. visit garage section. check the gray dealer price if available. go Europe ask price for models you interested. if cheaper buy otherwise don't buy

[GlowBoi]

Better Deals in Europe?

Dear all, firstly a big hello to all of you as I'm new here, and am intending to get a good time piece soon

As I am going to several countries in Europe for my honeymoon soon (Italy, France, Switzerland, Netherlands and Germany), may I know if the price for Rolex will be any cheaper, and if yes, which country?

Thanks all in advance!

[lufu]

I also ask my fren to check Rolex green sub hulk model in Germany. The price is euro7k. After all tax the watch will still cost you around 10k plus sin. So do you think it's worthwhile to get it? How much the local Ad selling this piece?

that's not worth it. lt's the same as official sg retail price. however AD in SG is selling above retail for this green sub. (unless you know the AD)