Which is the cheapest country to buy a Swiss Watch in?

icebergx

Hi all,
Just a quick question, which is the cheapest country (on average to buy quality, Swiss Made watches. The little research I've done indicates the US, but how does it compare to Dubai, Swizerland, the Far East, etc.
I'm particularly interested in Tag Heuers and was also hoping someone could recommend a good Authorised Dealer (in the UK or Abroad) where I could get a good discount. I've found one who can do 33% of the list price in the US (New York), can anyone beat that?
Thanks.

jasons_2

When I went on holidayto Boston last year I went I went with the express intention of getting myself a Breitling- I checked online first and whilst at the airport I popped into one of the watch places to check their prices.

They said they would pricematch, but were out of stock at the time, they did say if I gave them my number they would call me.

However, when in Boston we had a look at a couple of places- for some strange reason we thought we were in Turkey as we haggled for everything!

In the end I bought myself a Breitling B1, which was a massive upgrage over the one I would have bought and was still cheaper than the 'lesser' model in the UK- I got a £2200 watch for just over £1100, unfortunately they didnt sell Tag's, but I got my wife a pink pearl Link model just down the road for around the £550 mark- I think at the time they were just over the 1k mark here.

So, all in all we saved a bundle on the watches, and in terms of saving's, it paid for our 5 night, 5 star break in Boston.

To be fair I wouldnt have ordered over the internet, for that much money I couldnt afford to lose it in a scam!

Hope that helps!

cheggers

icebergx wrote:

Hi all,
Just a quick question, which is the cheapest country (on average to buy quality, Swiss Made watches. The little research I've done indicates the US, but how does it compare to Dubai, Swizerland, the Far East, etc.
I'm particularly interested in Tag Heuers and was also hoping someone could recommend a good Authorised Dealer (in the UK or Abroad) where I could get a good discount. I've found one who can do 33% of the list price in the US (New York), can anyone beat that?
Thanks.

You will find most UK jewellers will discount TAG watches. Do NOT pay list price on a TAG. Try https://www.watchfinder.co.uk or https://www.watches.co.uk these sites are pretty good.

Most jewellers will give discount on most swiss watches, expect for certain Rolex models.

icebergx

I'm going to get a Tag Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph.
The list price over here is £1495 (about $2570) and in the US it's $2295. I can get it for $1525 (about £880) which isn't too bad (-40% on UK list price), but maybe I can get it cheaper. Don't think I can get it that cheep in the UK (from an Authorised Dealer). Do you have the details of the Dealer you used in Boston, maybe I could give them a ring and see if they could recommend somewhere?
Thanks.

fatboyonadiet

Check this previous thread that I posted some advice on: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=126211

fatboyonadiet

Also for what it's worth, when I went to Dubai a few months ago I did eye up a Tag which worked out about 25 - 30% cheaper then retail here and altough I didn't haggle it down they were open to it.

EnricoJyess

Dubai or Kuala Lumpur are recognised as two of the best duty free shopping areas, including the airport lounges. Middle East is generally cheaper for Swiss watches. (Bahrain, Doha, Abu Dabi or Dubai) Tag and Breitling are fine and much cheaper than Eurpoe 40-50% with haggling but also look for the more dressy watches of Raymond Weil. I got a Tango Mk II from Singapore at45% less than UK but my dress watches are cheaper still from Saudi. (Less than 1/2 price!! (Genuine articles) However, tourism not a strong point there. Dubai or Kualal Lumpur it is then. Regards from EnricoJyess

cheggers

My advise is don't buy the watch from abroad, fair enough it's 40% cheaper. But there a BIG BUT, customs charges!!!

You'll find the watch will have to be sent with a customs slip, once it hits the UK, you'll be hit with a bill before you can pick up the watch from the post office/courrier. Thus your saving will be dramatically reduced.

I'd go with a either a 2nd hand watch, or haggle with a few more UK agents for some discount, may be ask for a free 1st service. At least if you buy the watch in the UK if something goes wrong with the watch you can visit the shop to discuss it with them.

Try independent jewellers not chains such as Goldsmiths or Ernest Jones. A good independent is Berrys in Nottingham.

My other advise would be have a look at Rolex or Omega's as there watches maintain there 2nd hand value better than TAG's.

icebergx

Thanks for all your replies you've been really helpfull.
Just to let you know, I won't have the Watch sent to me from the US, I'll either pop over there and make a holiday of it (I was going to go later in the year anyway) or I'll get one of my friends (Air Stewards) to pick it up. Either way I don't think I declare it on the way back and just wear it through Customs (I know this might be illegal and I hope this doesn't offend anyone) as most other people would. If I get stopped I'll pay the charge.
Can anyone recommend any Authorised Dealers In the US or Dubai where they have got good deals on Tags or anyother Swiss Made watches?
Thanks.

PS. Sorry again if I've offended anyone.

fatboyonadiet

The watch you're after is very nice and trust me you won't be disappointed! When I was in Dubai I paid a visit to the Tag shop in the Burjaman shopping centre, pretty sure it was that one.

I've sent you a PM too.

Fenella

Don't know if this is any good to you - I have bought from this firm:


http://www.blitzwatches.co.uk/products-series.asp?type=5