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Old 17 January 2013, 05:10 AM   #1
Israguard
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Anyone bought a Rolex in Bangkok or Singapore ?

Good morning,
A quiet day in Montreal.. I will be in Singapore & Bangkok next week. I was contemplating buying the new Yachtmaster with the nice blue face. I have called my local AD in Montreal several times and he says he doesnt know when he will get it.

I will ofcoourse do a full declaration on the watch when I come home.. 5% duty & sales tax.

Will be nice to look at watch and remember where I bought it. Im just not sure where to buy the watch. Has anyone bought brand new at an AD at either one of these two countries ?

Thanks.
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Old 17 January 2013, 05:19 AM   #2
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I have the pleasure of traveling to each of these cities twice a year for business for the past 8 years...my experience has been that Singapore would be your best option. Make sure you have plenty of time to shop Orchard Road when in Singapore and you will not have any issues finding an AD of just about any brand you can imagine!! Good luck on your search....
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Old 17 January 2013, 05:21 AM   #3
Israguard
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Thanks Perilo.. I too am there twice a year for past 15 years. LOVE IT LOVE IT
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Old 17 January 2013, 05:36 AM   #4
Jsan20
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Love that area man do I miss it. I don't know if I would buy a watch but would love to go back. I lived in Malaysia for a bit and it was great. Luxury goods are often taxed at high rates better to buy in Canada and avoid duty.
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Old 17 January 2013, 05:44 AM   #5
tkc324
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Orchard Road in Singapore... you will not miss all the Ads on that street. There are lots of bargain to be had... just need to shop around and haggle. Good luck and post some photos.
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Old 17 January 2013, 06:26 AM   #6
dardeca
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From what I saw there last month, pricing in Singapore was not as favorable as the US.
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Old 17 January 2013, 06:37 AM   #7
Paul_TT
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singapore or Bangkok

Prices in Thailand are too high at present.

There is a large AD in Siam Discovery opposite Siam Square but a month or so ago the centre was closed for refurbishment.

There is a specific Rolex shop at Subaripum airport in Bangkok - prices a little better there . It is about 50 metres walk from the general watch shop selling Breitling , Bell and Ross etc.
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Old 17 January 2013, 06:43 AM   #8
Roma315
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Good luck! They don't call it Bangcock for nothing baby
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Old 17 January 2013, 06:46 AM   #9
JGX
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul_TT View Post

There is a specific Rolex shop at Subaripum airport in Bangkok - prices a little better there . It is about 50 metres walk from the general watch shop selling Breitling , Bell and Ross etc.
Do you mean Suvarnabhumi? If so, as of the week before last they still hadn't been sent any of the new Yachtmasters (in fact didn't have a huge range of Professional watches at all with the exception of one DSSD).

Orchard Road in Singapore would be your best bet and remember you'll get the GST back at the airport (just allow extra time to go through the refund procedure at peak times).

Look forward to seeing the photos.
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Old 17 January 2013, 07:12 AM   #10
Israguard
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Thanks JGX. I know Central Chidlom and Central World both have Rolex stores. I'll report back next week
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Old 17 January 2013, 07:30 AM   #11
JGX
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I know the Rolex dealer that was just outside ION on Orchard Road were well up for doing a deal. The dealer in Vivo City (if you're heading towards Sentosa) had no interest in selling anything whatsoever it seemed to me, however! Either way, have fun.
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Old 17 January 2013, 08:05 AM   #12
deanpeterson
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I was there in March - its expensive - only place that has more rich people (millionaires) is Hong Kong!
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Old 17 January 2013, 09:17 AM   #13
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You will waste your time (I hope not your money) in SIN. It's a sellers market. Too many moneyed people around. Orchard road commercial real estate prices must be among the highest in the world, so that's definitely not a good starting point to get some savings.

You can have the GST (Sales Tax) deducted at the airport. That's 7%. You might or might not get something else on top of that. For popular SS sports models it will not be easy if you are not a regular. If you are more into high end stuff (YG, WG) or slower moving inventory, you might get something.

Cortina Watch is a nice place to shop, but expect very very little for Rolex. I'd definitely buy in the States.

BKK had very good prices in 2011, probably the best around Asia. I hear the situation has changed now.
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Old 17 January 2013, 10:47 AM   #14
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Good luck! They don't call it Bangcock for nothing baby
One night in Bangkok and the tough guys tumble...
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Old 17 January 2013, 12:14 PM   #15
kryten2001
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I was just there last week, and bought my new TT Daytona. Prices were significantly cheaper than Australia, not sure how they compare to US prices.

Plenty of availability.

I terms of taxes, what's the big deal - wear it on your wrist and come through?
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Old 17 January 2013, 12:21 PM   #16
Israguard
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Hi Kryten,
Where were you ? Bangkok or Si? Where were the prices good?

I go through Customs with Nexus. I won't lie..

Tks
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Old 17 January 2013, 12:24 PM   #17
kryten2001
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Israguard View Post
Hi Kryten,
Where were you ? Bangkok or Si? Where were the prices good?

I go through Customs with Nexus. I won't lie..

Tks
Singapore. I know the place really well as I go a few times a year, for the last 15 years or so.

There's some good new, as well as some great second hand places up there. Heaps of variety and the service is good.

I can't compare to US prices as I'm from Australia, but they're a good 30% cheaper up there compared to here. Plus, any price you pay you can claim BACK the taxes when you leave singapore. I got back nearly s$1200 on my Daytona.

So yes, pricing is good - but immediate availability of just about everything in every combination is the clincher.
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Old 17 January 2013, 12:26 PM   #18
kryten2001
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To give you an idea, I paid about AUD$13.5k (US$14k or so) for my new TT Daytona. Here in Aus they cost about $18-19k. If you can find them, which you usually can't.
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Old 17 January 2013, 12:38 PM   #19
panamera
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few AD in singapore already have YM.
a grey / pararrel importer can give u around $12,500 - 12,800 SGD for the YM Blue dial
if you buy from shop / AD i think about $14,000
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Old 17 January 2013, 02:01 PM   #20
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Be careful in Bangkok. I felt like everyone was trying to rip me off. Loved other parts of Thailand but Bangkok was not for me.
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Old 17 January 2013, 02:53 PM   #21
sstarbuck68
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Siam Swiss, in Bangkok, if open, will be worth a visit... I got a fine deal there and at the time, even got a sizeable discount. Show them you are serious and they will be too... Enjoy!

S

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Old 17 January 2013, 05:06 PM   #22
singaporegirl
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Coming from a Singaporean, I'd say try Cortina in Paragon which is my favorite AD, or the Rolex shop in Ion or Wisma. Have fun while you're in Singapore! :)
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Old 17 January 2013, 05:19 PM   #23
topgear
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If you shop in Singapore, you can get the tax refund in cash at the airport. You just need to fill up all your papers and show them the watch.
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Old 18 January 2013, 01:26 AM   #24
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Heading to Singapore tonight. Looks like buying new from an AD is not too favorable. Probably will check out some vintage watches though.
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Old 18 January 2013, 03:30 AM   #25
dpkong
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Why not travel a little up north to Kuala Lumpur? No GST charged so nothing to refund at the airport. I did not see a the new blue YM 2 weeks ago when I was there but the platinum was available at some ADs. Grey dealers are asking about $10.5k for the new YM, same price for platinum or blue dial.
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