Buying watch in Europe

[Mar Jc]

Hi Guys

I am planning to travel to Europe in the near future.
Planning to go to Germany & Swiss & Paris
With Euro currency now at quite good rates, anyone actually have check out the watch prices in Europe?

Can find good offers for German or Swiss watches there?


Appreciate some feedback

Thanks

[kenji1903]

what watches are you looking at?

[Mar Jc]

Looking for Omega, Sinn, Damasko, Zenith

[kenji1903]

Looking for Omega, Sinn, Damasko, Zenith

what i did prior to my trip was get in touch with the local European ADs, see if you can get a discount... try as many as you can within the vicinity of your trip...

then remember to get your VAT refund correctly upon leaving Europe, have not been to any of the coutries in your list, but i heard Paris is usually packed, go early

you can try emailing the bigger ADs at the airport too, the one in Amsterdam told me since i'm a tourist and can claim VAT, they won't budge at all

one thing to note is... it may not be necessarily cheaper in Europe by a large margin...

[lwjuan]

It's not cheaper in UK or Paris.. I have never been to Swiss yet so not sure.. even can claim back VAT, the price will be almost similar or maybe slightly more expensive..

[Yikkie]

Definitely not cheaper in the UK.  Discounts are also very limited in France.  However, I did buy a Nomos from Paris the last time I was there.  Pricing is significantly cheaper than the Nomos website.  Not too sure about Germany but German brands such as Sinn, Damasko, Nomos, etc should be cheaper there...but not necessarily so.  Happy shopping!

[STeeLPrOpheT]

if comparing Japan: it does have more variety of shops & models to select from with very competitive prices. GST can be exempted with a foreign passport, but, exchange rate is not good & is not easy to find money changer there.

[ckoh]

One of my friend has just bought a Pam in milan, the price after discount and vat claim is about 15% cheaper than Malaysia ,if u are traveling to Italy , try to find out more.

[Timeless]

a friend of mine traveled to Swiss and German few months ago, he had experienced that German prices are lower than Swiss as ie. Rolex, Omega, AP, Panerai etc. of the demands are quite low in German hence the prices are quite reasonable there. U may try your luck there.

*Kiasu tips - try explore those watch shops in small town areas in stead of tourist areas, they give discount without asking and prices are significant lower.

[cheelun]

I have been to Geneva, Paris, London & Amsterdam. Did not specifically go watch hunting but from the few watch shops that I happen to come across while accompanying wifey shopping for handbags, the prices are not significantly cheaper than Malaysia esp if you take into consideration of the prices by grey dealers.

All things said, getting a watch there will definitely serve as a great memento for your trip. This, in my opinion, is priceless.

[sidestreaker]

Hi Guys

I am planning to travel to Europe in the near future.
Planning to go to Germany & Swiss & Paris
With Euro currency now at quite good rates, anyone actually have check out the watch prices in Europe?

Can find good offers for German or Swiss watches there?


Appreciate some feedback

Thanks

Perhaps the you should look into getting some vintage or limited edition watch which you can't find elsewhere. That'll make your trip extra special!

I was in Zurich last year and almost came to acquire an FA Jones edition hand-wound IWC at musky looking used watch shop. It was expensive, but doesn't mean where was no hint of regret there. I'm determine to go back there one day to redeem myself!

[chengho99]

As far as I know we can't get a full VAT return . There are some administration charges
Please ask the salesperson for confirmation

Currency is another issue - credit card.

[kenji1903]

As far as I know we can't get a full VAT return . There are some administration charges
Please ask the salesperson for confirmation

Currency is another issue - credit card.

depends if the watch merchant is registered with any of those big VAT companies like Global Blue, etc... these companies charge admin fees

some merchants just need you to stamp the form at the Customs at the airport and mail it back to them, therefore no VAT charged at all