Even in Hong Kong, they don't give a steep discount for Patek. They give around 15% at most while you can buy other watchs at 30-50% discount. Anyone bot Patek at online shop and shipped to Swiss ? Is it safe and what is the extra charge that you need to pay here ?
I would be careful buying watches in some countries where the customer protection and law is questionable. It did eaven happen that rolex was servicing facked watches.
And yes, compared to Patek Phillippe, Rolex is very low priced.
I bought a Rolex and IWC from reputable watch dealers in Singapore (The Hour Glass and Dickson Watches). When I came to CH, found that the same watches costs 30% more here.
I do think its not worth, the most Watchdealer will give you 10% if you pay cash. With some watches even more, on some maybe nil. And if you travel around from Singapoore for a holiday in Malaysia you have to watch out for thives. If you dont smugle them ad 7,8% plus zoll. And if the custom officer finds out the watch is a facke you still need to pay the tax.
I would not hesitate buying in Singapoore because the punisment for wrongdoers there is realy harsh and starts usually with bleeding buttocks. I was thinking there once about a Omega too which was around 30% cheaper than in CH.
It is astonishing the dealers dont offer the most competitive prices in Switzerland while the interrest rates are so low.
If you want to get ripped off, Thailand and Indonesia is defienitely the place to go.
This topic is very interesting, because sounds like some want to save money huntig around where to get the cheapest Rolce Royce. But i do understand to buy a Patek Phillipe Watch in Singapoore and pay only 70K instead of 100K if the prices differ realy that much and could not live without one. But i dont think the prices differ much at authorised Patek watch dealer.
Theoretically Switzerland should be one of the cheapest places to buy the watch becuase it is made in Switzerland and the IVA is 7.6% while VAT in Europe for example is around 20% so should be at least 10% cheaper in Switzerland and I suppose Dubai would be VAT free.
You can have problems when you go back to your country with regard to tax though.
A relative of mine came in to Manchester Airport wearing his Rolex watch (bought from Switzerland a year before). It was not hallmarked and the Customs made him pay the duty (VAT) of about £2,000 becuase it was an import.
Wow ... that is just *wrong* but how to avoid the risk ? I'm daydreaming about maybe buying a nice watch as a personal souvenir of my time in Switzerland. I also fly via Manchester (and others). Can I really be pulled over and be painfully taxed like that ? I don't know what hallmarking means in this context. In fact, what's to stop any customs pulling this kind of stunt ?
[Old thread, I know, but relevant (and interesting for my research)]
There are dealers in Zurich who will give you 40% off any main Swiss luxury brand and will help you with any tax problems you have regarding the watch,
obviously it comes with the original box and papers,
If you are interested PM me,
if you wear you watch when going through customs its very unlikely that they will stop and charge you.
best way is to find someone that works in one of the watch companies .. they are often allowed to buy a number of their watches for friends and family .. and at a good discount! keep hunting!