Traveling to Spain, Buy Submariner?

[Endoscopist]

Probably a silly question overall with what’s going on with SS sports Rolexes, but I will ask anyway.

Looking to get my first Rolex... preferably a Submariner or would “settle” for submariner date for 35th birthday / fellowship graduation.

I am going to be in Madrid/Barcelona in late September.

In the odd chance that I find one in the wild at an AD (airport? Duty free?), is this a no brainer to buy abroad?

My calculations suggest that a no date could be had for about 6500 from an AD after subtracting VAT in Spain.

I’m feeling lucky, but is there any down side to doing this?

Thanks in advance fellow Rolex lovers.




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[UNCLE27]

In theory... Yes, it’s a no brainer. You can claim back some VAT (there’s another current thread on prices in Europe and claiming back the VAT). Although you’d have to declare it at Customs on returning to the States and they may charge you import duty.

But it’s all hypothetical. There aren’t any available in Europe to buy from the shop window.

[WatchLurv]

Sure it'd be cheaper if you can find it...

[westcoastghost]

Math may be slightly off ($6800 is what I would guess). You don't get the full VAT % back, there are some fees taken by the company that administers the refund, you get about 12-14% back and EUR to USD is ~1.12. Finding one will be very difficult, just enjoy your trip and pop in an AD if its near, I wouldn't go out of your way hunting for one.

[Rrpdc]

Originally Posted by westcoastghost

math may be slightly off ($6800 is what i would guess). You don't get the full vat % back, there are some fees taken by the company that administers the refund, you get about 12-14% back and eur to usd is ~1.12. Finding one will be very difficult, just enjoy your trip and pop in an ad if its near, i wouldn't go out of your way hunting for one.

+1

[gregjd]

You'll be lucky to find one. I go to Madrid and Barcelona a lot on business and check in with the AD's every time. I've seen a SD4K and a no-date sub before (the latter not on display, the former had just gone on display and was snapped up by someone before I left) but this is unusual. The AD at the bottom of Passeig de Gracia (there are 3 on this street alone!) in Barcelona is well worth a visit as it has a museum area at the back of it.

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by gregjd

You'll be lucky to find one. I go to Madrid and Barcelona a lot on business and check in with the AD's every time. I've seen a SD4K and a no-date sub before (the latter not on display, the former had just gone on display and was snapped up by someone before I left) but this is unusual. The AD at the bottom of Passeig de Gracia (there are 3 on this street alone!) in Barcelona is well worth a visit as it has a museum area at the back of it.

A SD4K going on display, that was long ago...you won't see any such thing today. Not even an Explorer was available, 1 or 2.
I was just in Madrid last month and visited the usual ADs. They are as dry as the Sahara and have lists so long they won't even talk about lists. All the math you're calculating is in vain because you will not find anything there. Lots of tourists popping in all day looking and the local spanish are trying to buy as well, it's like NYC. Maybe if you have a deep rooted relationship or have connections otherwise enjoy the sights and the food and enjoy trying on some pm watches for fun.

Barcelona is just the same. I bought my wife's DJ there last year so when I asked about anything coming in, nothing, anything in the back, no, can I leave a deposit, no. Major cities have run dry and all that's left is a thirsty mob bouncing around all the ADs asking the same questions.

If you want an IWC or Omega then you'll be golden and the prices are very aggressive, it was very hard to resist a Pam 372 but saving for something else. You might even be luckier sourcing a nice AP in these cities but Rolex is a no-go.
Nonetheless, good luck.

[MinMay]

You are required to pay state sales tax when you bring it back to the state. They will come after you and say you brought an item back.

I received a letter that I owe Use Tax on my watch.

[Kingfish01]

Originally Posted by MinMay

You are required to pay state sales tax when you bring it back to the state. They will come after you and say you brought an item back.

I received a letter that I owe Use Tax on my watch.

How did they know to send you a letter? How did they know you bought it? Did you declare it on the customs form?

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by Kingfish01

How did they know to send you a letter? How did they know you bought it? Did you declare it on the customs form?

*My post was inspired by but not aimed at the quoted post*

Regardless of whether or not they know it is your duty to pay all appropriate taxes. Not to do so is a serious crime in the just about every country on the planet.

Whenever this topic comes up I am always amazed at the lenient attitude some members have to it. Especially given there are several banned discussion topics that are not advocating the commission of a crime.

The fact the chances of being caught are slim is not a justification to chance it. Taxes suck, prison sucks more.

[shapa]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

*My post was inspired by but not aimed at the quoted post*

Regardless of whether or not they know it is your duty to pay all appropriate taxes. Not to do so is a serious crime in the just about every country on the planet.

Whenever this topic comes up I am always amazed at the lenient attitude some members have to it. Especially given there are several banned discussion topics that are not advocating the commission of a crime.

The fact the chances of being caught are slim is not a justification to chance it. Taxes suck, prison sucks more.

No one is advocating not paying taxes. It is a legitimate inquiry if one wants to find out how the system works in regards to taxes on watches bought in another country.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by shapa

No one is advocating not paying taxes. It is a legitimate inquiry if one wants to find out how the system works in regards to taxes on watches bought in another country.

Firstly I prefaced my post by saying it was inspired by but not aimed at the post I was quoting. Perhaps I should have gone further and said not aimed directed at any specific person.

However the post I quoted asked the hypothetical question how would customs know to charge you import tax if you didn’t declare the watch on return to your home country.

Again, I am not saying that this particular person (or thread) is advocating illegally importing watches. My post was a general observation that this sort of discussion happens frequently on this forum and it is quite curious that such chat is tolerated (and often defended).

[crew]

Originally Posted by watchmaker

Taxes suck, prison sucks more.

Great quote.
This is probably the basis of most tax compliance in the world.

[watchmaker]

Originally Posted by crew

Great quote.
This is probably the basis of most tax compliance in the world.

Might print T-shirt’s and sell them at airports

[jsausley]

Originally Posted by MinMay

You are required to pay state sales tax when you bring it back to the state. They will come after you and say you brought an item back.

I received a letter that I owe Use Tax on my watch.

How did the state know you purchased a watch? Just curious. You should always pay all applicable taxes just don't understand how the state knew. With Customs it's one thing, since the box is presumably in your bag.

[huba01]

Good Luck, but you will have a hard time finding one unfortunately

[1William]

Why wait for a few dollars on a watch you can have by 1030 am tomorrow? I believe that it would be luck if you found one a SS Sport Rolex sitting out at an AD in any major country. Then you have to pay duty on it getting it back, etc. Our Trusted Sellers have them and believe it or not, asking price is sometimes not selling price. Get your watch here, have a great summer wearing it and go to Spain in September with your new watch on your wrist.

[Zakalwe]

You’ve got more chance of finding one at work in one of those hard to reach places with your colonoscope

[SpeakWithMichael]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

You’ve got more chance of finding one at work in one of those hard to reach places with your colonoscope

[Endoscopist]

Originally Posted by Zakalwe

You’ve got more chance of finding one at work in one of those hard to reach places with your colonoscope

I have found many interesting things this way, but unfortunately never a Sub.... but I have a lot of years if practice ahead so who knows?


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[rolexinfl]

If you find one; dont walk out of the store with a Rolex bag in your hand, and watch your back when you leave...

[Rashid.bk]

Originally Posted by rolexinfl

If you find one; dont walk out of the store with a Rolex bag in your hand, and watch your back when you leave...

The Rolex ADs in Spain or anywhere else are pretty classy and discreet. It would be retarded to send a customer out with a dumb giant "I bought a Rolex" advertisement.
In my case when I bought one in Barcelona they gave me a discreet sterile brown bag with all the stuff inside and of course the watch was worn out of the store which is the safest place for a watch in any country.

Anywhere in the world besides Rodeo Drive with your Bentley waiting outside would be pretty stupid to romp around the city with a Rolex, Patek or any other bag from any luxury watch brand for all to see. Common sense.....

[Strummer25]

Clearly the OP doesn’t understand the phrase “global shortage of SS models” and the million threads on here about it

[VacherObsessive]

No chance

[Nairn1980]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

No chance

X2

[Luap1976]

Like people told me on here the other day you have more chance winning the lottery

[Likestheshiny]

Clearly the OP doesn’t understand the phrase “global shortage of SS models” and the million threads on here about it

Probably a silly question overall with what’s going on with SS sports Rolexes, but I will ask anyway.

Seems like he does.

We hear stories all the time about lucky folks finding something at retail. Better the Op get his math checked now than have to do it in the three-minute window before someone else buys the watch,

[Endoscopist]

Originally Posted by Likestheshiny

Seems like he does.

We hear stories all the time about lucky folks finding something at retail. Better the Op get his math checked now than have to do it in the three-minute window before someone else buys the watch,

This basically sums it up best. I am aware of the situation and scarcity, but I wanted to prepare myself mentally in the event of a rare event and not be fumbling with calculators and conversion tables if it came down to it.

Thanks to everyone for replies.


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[zjd168]

great plan and the math is not wrong. The only problem is if you can find one

[JePro]

Originally Posted by zjd168

great plan and the math is not wrong. The only problem is if you can find one

yup