Rolex Blue GMT Master 116710BLNR

[carreracat]

I don't know which European country offers the best deals but this is what I gathered from my own travels.

1. Holland. Good VAT refunds but the prices are pretty inflexible. Was in boutique but couldn't squeeze one euro out from them. Was in Amsterdam in 2014 but I didn't buy anything.

2. UK. Although the VAT is 20% (flat tax system), after exorbitant charges essentially u get back only about 12% refunds. Bought two Cartiers there in 2012.

3. Spain. Taxes as high as 21% but u receive (it's tiered system) up to 19% refund (after fees) at top tier. I basically bought 4 pieces. 2 for my own consumption. 2 more to bump up the refunds bracket to the max and resell on this forum. Got a nice bulk discount as well. My buyers can get it cheap and I got mine cheap too! Win-win.

4. Italy. Tiered system as well. 14% tax refunded to you. Very good boutique discounts. Not sure how but some dealers move the pieces across the EU and back and avoided tax totally. I got the best discounts while I was in Venice. Again I did the same thing I did in Spain. Buying extra pieces to max out my tax refunds and negotiate with dealer a bulk discount.

5. Switzerland. Flat tax system. Discounts are decent. I bought a Patek there on the back of weak Swiss Francs during 2013.

There are a few factors to watch out for:

1. Currency exchange. Big difference when Euros dipped from 1.7 to 1.5 which is 10% gained already.

2. Pool resources and do bulk purchase in countries that have tier system of vat refunds. I.e higher quantum higher refunds.

3. Credit Card limitations and average 3% fees on cards. Some cards have good rebates on overseas spend which negates the fees. The miles u accumulate might also offset your flight tickets.

4. Luggage space and robbery risk in Europe is real. Be careful!

Cheers

Very helpful. Agree te admin charges for UK VAT returns are silly high.

[Wenhe318]

Congrats! My next watch most likely, but may end up going for YM TT

[Night]

thanks for sharing the impt information!!

[magnush]

Thanks for sharing

Thanks for sharing

[falcoroy]

I don't know which European country offers the best deals but this is what I gathered from my own travels.

1. Holland. Good VAT refunds but the prices are pretty inflexible. Was in boutique but couldn't squeeze one euro out from them. Was in Amsterdam in 2014 but I didn't buy anything.

2. UK. Although the VAT is 20% (flat tax system), after exorbitant charges essentially u get back only about 12% refunds. Bought two Cartiers there in 2012.

3. Spain. Taxes as high as 21% but u receive (it's tiered system) up to 19% refund (after fees) at top tier. I basically bought 4 pieces. 2 for my own consumption. 2 more to bump up the refunds bracket to the max and resell on this forum. Got a nice bulk discount as well. My buyers can get it cheap and I got mine cheap too! Win-win.

4. Italy. Tiered system as well. 14% tax refunded to you. Very good boutique discounts. Not sure how but some dealers move the pieces across the EU and back and avoided tax totally. I got the best discounts while I was in Venice. Again I did the same thing I did in Spain. Buying extra pieces to max out my tax refunds and negotiate with dealer a bulk discount.

5. Switzerland. Flat tax system. Discounts are decent. I bought a Patek there on the back of weak Swiss Francs during 2013.

There are a few factors to watch out for:

1. Currency exchange. Big difference when Euros dipped from 1.7 to 1.5 which is 10% gained already.

2. Pool resources and do bulk purchase in countries that have tier system of vat refunds. I.e higher quantum higher refunds.

3. Credit Card limitations and average 3% fees on cards. Some cards have good rebates on overseas spend which negates the fees. The miles u accumulate might also offset your flight tickets.

4. Luggage space and robbery risk in Europe is real. Be careful!

Cheers

NIce information. Thanks.

[BlackJackGoh]

Good

[SNL2601]

Thanks for sharing.

[Surg3]

Very good and invaluable advice. Based on my understanding , Germany and Sweden use tiered system too. For Spain, wonder if you know what the threshold is to get 19%? Thanks

Thx for sharing, very informative. what about Greek countries?

[BoringSA]

thanks for sharing

[Boozaa]

Nice sharing !!

[Appledabble]

I don't know which European country offers the best deals but this is what I gathered from my own travels.

1. Holland. Good VAT refunds but the prices are pretty inflexible. Was in boutique but couldn't squeeze one euro out from them. Was in Amsterdam in 2014 but I didn't buy anything.

2. UK. Although the VAT is 20% (flat tax system), after exorbitant charges essentially u get back only about 12% refunds. Bought two Cartiers there in 2012.

3. Spain. Taxes as high as 21% but u receive (it's tiered system) up to 19% refund (after fees) at top tier. I basically bought 4 pieces. 2 for my own consumption. 2 more to bump up the refunds bracket to the max and resell on this forum. Got a nice bulk discount as well. My buyers can get it cheap and I got mine cheap too! Win-win.

4. Italy. Tiered system as well. 14% tax refunded to you. Very good boutique discounts. Not sure how but some dealers move the pieces across the EU and back and avoided tax totally. I got the best discounts while I was in Venice. Again I did the same thing I did in Spain. Buying extra pieces to max out my tax refunds and negotiate with dealer a bulk discount.

5. Switzerland. Flat tax system. Discounts are decent. I bought a Patek there on the back of weak Swiss Francs during 2013.

There are a few factors to watch out for:

1. Currency exchange. Big difference when Euros dipped from 1.7 to 1.5 which is 10% gained already.

2. Pool resources and do bulk purchase in countries that have tier system of vat refunds. I.e higher quantum higher refunds.

3. Credit Card limitations and average 3% fees on cards. Some cards have good rebates on overseas spend which negates the fees. The miles u accumulate might also offset your flight tickets.

4. Luggage space and robbery risk in Europe is real. Be careful!

Cheers

Very good and invaluable advice. Based on my understanding , Germany and Sweden use tiered system too. For Spain, wonder if you know what the threshold is to get 19%? Thanks

[makapook]

Keen to get this watch in Europe. Italy,Switzerland and France, Which place will be a better buy?
I heard Italy should able to get higher tax rebate? Anyone can advise?

I don't know which European country offers the best deals but this is what I gathered from my own travels.

1. Holland. Good VAT refunds but the prices are pretty inflexible. Was in boutique but couldn't squeeze one euro out from them. Was in Amsterdam in 2014 but I didn't buy anything.

2. UK. Although the VAT is 20% (flat tax system), after exorbitant charges essentially u get back only about 12% refunds. Bought two Cartiers there in 2012.

3. Spain. Taxes as high as 21% but u receive (it's tiered system) up to 19% refund (after fees) at top tier. I basically bought 4 pieces. 2 for my own consumption. 2 more to bump up the refunds bracket to the max and resell on this forum. Got a nice bulk discount as well. My buyers can get it cheap and I got mine cheap too! Win-win.

4. Italy. Tiered system as well. 14% tax refunded to you. Very good boutique discounts. Not sure how but some dealers move the pieces across the EU and back and avoided tax totally. I got the best discounts while I was in Venice. Again I did the same thing I did in Spain. Buying extra pieces to max out my tax refunds and negotiate with dealer a bulk discount.

5. Switzerland. Flat tax system. Discounts are decent. I bought a Patek there on the back of weak Swiss Francs during 2013.

There are a few factors to watch out for:

1. Currency exchange. Big difference when Euros dipped from 1.7 to 1.5 which is 10% gained already.

2. Pool resources and do bulk purchase in countries that have tier system of vat refunds. I.e higher quantum higher refunds.

3. Credit Card limitations and average 3% fees on cards. Some cards have good rebates on overseas spend which negates the fees. The miles u accumulate might also offset your flight tickets.

4. Luggage space and robbery risk in Europe is real. Be careful!

Cheers

[makapook]

Very nicely captured and sharp. I tried using DSLR and I cant get this clarity. Gave up. How did you capture it?

Simple point and shoot with mobile phone Bro. The trick is to "joke with the lights". You can take very good wrist shots if the light source is strong. Angled to avoid reflections and glare.

Cheers

[makapook]

Omg! I didn't check in for a long long time and the thread is now 10 pages thick! Lol! Thanks for the all the compliments!

Will try to reply questions that are still relevant today.

[Oceanklassik]

IIRC it was $11,670.