Could anybody point me in the right direction?
I am thinking of purchasing one of the much-vaunted and highly-esteemed Swiss watches and was wondering where I should go to buy it in order to avoid rip-off prices geared towards tourists. I live in Luzern and it seems most of the stores that sell watches are often clogged with tourists, and I suspect the prices may be higher in Luzern than in other places because of the number of tourists that visit.
Most expensive Swiss watches will be sold at official outlets at list prices. The UK will be a better bet due to the weak pound. If your looking for used then Ebay.
What sort of watch did you have in mind, I am amazed by the no of watches available for over 1,000,000 chf!
You will find a lot of good deals for new or second hand watches on ricardo from individuals or companies with all papers, warranty, documents etc. Some are sold even with tags and unpacked. But it depends what are you looking for.
I am looking for a men's dress watch like the one here on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/TAG-Heuer-WAF1...6206201&sr=1-4
I must admit that I am a novice when it comes to watches. The reputable brands I am aware of are Tag Heuer, Bucherer, Tissot, Hublot, Chopard, and Maurice Lacroix. Are there others worth looking into? Oh, and I am looking for an automatic watch between CHF 500-750. Nothing too flashy, but something that goes well with business attire.
I really like the Tissot watches. They are not these HUGE, GIMONGOUS
pieces of metal sitting on your wrist....
Come to Zug. There are not that many tourists here, and there are several watch stores in Metalli and the one next door....
OK, you are mentioning Tissot where the cheapest one can be taken for 300 CHF and Hublot where the cheapest one will set you back 9000 CHF.
Another watch brand that is really worth considering is Omega. But for 500-750 CHF you can not look in their catalog. In fact, only the stainless steel bracelets costs 600 CHF
In your price range your best bet is Tissot from what you have mentioned. The Tag you mentioned is OK but it is quartz, not auto as you are looking for.
Tissot dealers give good discount, you should ask for it.
I bought a nice Tissot in Zug for about 400chuffs.
Thanks all for the tips on Tissot and buying at the Metalli in Zug. Any other Swiss watch brands that make good automatic watches in the same price range?
When you buy see if the seller can tell you what movement is actually in the watch. Many of these are the same.
Tissot is probably the best you can do for that price range. My last purchase was an Omega Speedmaster 'Moon Watch'. It's not automatic (the design goes back to 1957 - as I do) since automatic watches will not work in the weightlessness of space. Still it's a nice design and since the movement is built like a truck it is very durable. The only disadvantages: no date and the Hesalite crystal can scratch (NASA specified no glass to avoid glass particle from floating around the cabin).
We have bought from Bucherer and was very happy when they changed the crown on my watch for free outside of the warranty period. The Omega dealer on Bahnhofstrasse is worth a visit for the handlebar mustache man. It will feel like a trip back in time.
Check out the Longines range. I like the look of their watches.
Come and live in the Val-de-Travers- make friends and one of them will perhaps offer you 1 of their special discount piece for family. (if you are very very lucky! ) Locally, Bovet, Parmigiani and Choppard.
I bought a watch from www.uhrenmix.de in January.
The german VAT was deducted, and I got an orange payment slip 2-3 weeks after the delivery for the swiss VAT. In the end, I saved 35-40% of the window price at Bahnhofstrasse.
Doc.
Shall be going to the UK fairly soon - if you know what you want I could compare prices there for you + calculate exchange rate. We have a couple of excellent dealers in my UK town.
You better buy from abroad ie. amazon, ebay or online watch forums from credible members, buying in CH, you pay 50% less (With the current exchange rate + dealers deductions from abroad + tax deduction from source), i always buy from abroad, for example:
IWC Spitfire Chrono (New): 3600 CHF including CH VAT, price in stores here 5530 CHF
Breitling Colt Chrono (Used + 95%): 1350 CHF including CH VAT, price in stores here 3000 CHF
If you need recommendations of trusted dealers, PM me.
Tag have outlet stores in the uk with of up to 50% off list price, plus you can claim the vat back through global tax.
I have bought several tags in Switzerland and you can negotiate prices with most jewellers. I got a tag reduced by 30% down in Lugano, a replacement croc tag strap discounted by 40% in basel.
If you don't ask, you don't get
I have a Jaeger LeCoultre dress watch from the 1960's which i purchased online (eBay). Even though it's a relatively cheap stainless steel model, i love the elegant design... and it was nice to see the local JC dealer here give a surprised and pleased look to see the watch when I brought it in for repair/cleaning. Didn't cost me that much to buy it online - it was from old inventory so was good as new.
Also acquired a Suunto line (from globetrotter.de). Primarily use it for when I'm mountain climbing (has a compass, altitude meter, etc.). The online price was excellent compared to the normal shop price.
Then I started to look for a Breguet... a sport watch (metal bracelet) which could also be worn with a suit but could also be kept on while swimming. Wanted to buy it new, in the shop... but changed my mind when i found out the price... and then winded up buying a cheap Fossil online which actually suits me fine now. If I do wind up buying a watch again i'd probably buy it online and would focus on 2nd hand dealers of premium brands. There are some really good websites for that.
I guess the common theme from my post: look online. I realize it's not as pleasurable to buy a watch that way, but it will save you $$$
Just wondering why the OP is looking for an automatic watch? In the price range mentioned, automatic movements are not chronometers and are not very accurate. I have an automatic Longines -- beautiful watch, but it gains around 5 minutes per month, sometimes more, and of course it stops if it's not worn for three days or more (e.g. on holidays).
Quartz movements are ridiculously accurate and largely problem-free. For thousands and thousands of CHF, you will get much more accurate automatic watches, but under CHF 750, you'll need to be tolerant of inaccuracy.
1000chfs for a new quartz watch is just crazy... must cost all of 50chfs to make.
I have been told that an automatic watch is the way to go as it eliminates the need to manually wind the watch. I am not sure if this advice is completely accurate, but I am also a novice when it comes to watch shopping - thoughts?
If I were to go with a manual watch, will CHF 500-750 be enough for a nice, functional watch?