Finally getting a Rolex! Where to buy Submariner in Europe or China?

[BPositive]

After lusting for a Rolex for the better part of a decade, I've finally decided to purchase a 114060 sub, no date to commemorate the birth, and pass on as an heirloom for my recently born son.

I travel fairly regularly for work, recently to Ireland (Cork) and China (Xian, Shanghai) and likely will be through the rest of this year + possibly Belgium, Netherlands, Germany. I looked through London, Heathrow a few weeks ago, but no SS sport models.

I heard that London is a good place to purchase because of the desirable exchange rate and ability to get back ~15% VAT. Though I heard that inventory is scarce, and likely no negotiating. Can anyone confirm this? What about Ireland?

Are there any opportunities to purchase in either of airports in Shanghai or possibly Singapore? Thanks in advance.

[Amex4711]

In Germany, for example in duesseldorf you find nearly eight rolex stores in walking distance

[Old Expat Beast]

Can you get down to Hong Kong? More than 60 Rolex dealers here, and a 114060 in most of them. Easy shopping, and fair prices.

[VeryDeep]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Can you get down to Hong Kong? More than 60 Rolex dealers here, and a 114060 in most of them. Easy shopping, and fair prices.

Indeed, and no tax

[BPositive]

Originally Posted by Amex4711

In Germany, for example in duesseldorf you find nearly eight rolex stores in walking distance

Thanks for the tip, I'll see if I can swing a day trip to Dusseldorf if/when I can get to Belgium or the Netherlands this year.

[BPositive]

Originally Posted by VeryDeep

Indeed, and no tax

Probably won't be able to get to Hong Kong, unless I'm in the airport for a layover.

If you wouldn't mind enlightening me, as a US citizen, isn't it to my advantage to go to a country that has a high tax, so I can get the tax refunded back to me at the airport? That's the reason why I was targeting the UK or Europe.

[Amex4711]

Originally Posted by BPositive

Thanks for the tip, I'll see if I can swing a day trip to Dusseldorf if/when I can get to Belgium or the Netherlands this year.

It's perfect !
duesseldorf is only 1 hour by car from Netherlands (Venlo,Roermond) or belgium (via Aachen)

[hugs]

Originally Posted by BPositive

Probably won't be able to get to Hong Kong, unless I'm in the airport for a layover.

If you wouldn't mind enlightening me, as a US citizen, isn't it to my advantage to go to a country that has a high tax, so I can get the tax refunded back to me at the airport? That's the reason why I was targeting the UK or Europe.

It should not make a difference. The tax should be factored into the RRP.

For example in a 20% tax country the RRP should be around 20% more.

But note the excessive use of the word should. In the UK for example the after-tax prices are still about the same as the US pre-tax prices due to FX fluctuations...You are looking for countries with a currency that has recently dropped and prices haven't been adjusted yet.

[BPositive]

Originally Posted by hugs

It should not make a difference. The tax should be factored into the RRP.

For example in a 20% tax country the RRP should be around 20% more.

But note the excessive use of the word should. In the UK for example the after-tax prices are still about the same as the US pre-tax prices due to FX fluctuations...You are looking for countries with a currency that has recently dropped and prices haven't been adjusted yet.

Thanks for the info. I've researched what you said and came up with the following assumption for the 114060 for a UK purchase?:

The 5,450 pound price already includes the 20% tax, of which ~15% should be able to be refunded at Heathrow via a service like Global Blue for US citizens.


5,450 pounds * 1.25 $/pound * .85% = $5,971.

I assume that nobody in London will negotiate on pricing for a ND Sub right? Are these relatively available or is this a high demand item that's likely to be sold out?

Thanks in advance.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by BPositive

Thanks for the info. I've researched what you said and came up with the following assumption for the 114060 for a UK purchase?:

The 5,450 pound price already includes the 20% tax, of which ~15% should be able to be refunded at Heathrow via a service like Global Blue for US citizens.


5,450 pounds * 1.25 $/pound * .85% = $5,971.

I assume that nobody in London will negotiate on pricing for a ND Sub right? Are these relatively available or is this a high demand item that's likely to be sold out?

Thanks in advance.

You also have to pay a few percent import tax into the US too. A subc will be very hard to find in London and probably won't be sold to a non UK resident now as they will want to rebuild relationships, but freely available in the EU where you might get 5% off. However the Euro has not fallen like the pound so maybe it's cheaper overall in the US.

[Etschell]

no need to travel for it.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=530746

[Kieranrd]

Try Keanes jewellers in Cork city.
The lady in the watch section called Stephanie has been extremely helpful to me.
The VAT refund you will be entitled to is 23% and they do the refund there and then when you buy the watch. You then get a VAT refund form stamped at customs when leaving Ireland or the last EU country on your itinerary.

[BPositive]

Originally Posted by Etschell

no need to travel for it.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=530746

Thanks for looking for me. I know I could buy it from a trusted seller, but this will likely be my only Rolex, which I intend to have forever, and when I pass it to my son, I'd like to have a better story behind the watch than just simply saying that I bought it online.

[BPositive]

Originally Posted by Kieranrd

Try Keanes jewellers in Cork city.
The lady in the watch section called Stephanie has been extremely helpful to me.
The VAT refund you will be entitled to is 23% and they do the refund there and then when you buy the watch. You then get a VAT refund form stamped at customs when leaving Ireland or the last EU country on your itinerary.

I walked by Keanes on Oliver Plunket St. a few weeks ago but was with coworkers and didn't have time to stop in. How in demand do you think a no date sub will be now, and do you think there's any discount on the RRP? I heard that it's difficult to even find in stock in London or Paris.

I'll likely be going back to Cork in a few months. When you say the there's a 23% VAT refund, I thought that the VAT service takes a cut, so I would only be entitled to 15% at the airport? By doing the refund at the store, do you mean that Keanes processes the refund on my behalf, so I get back the full 23% before I leave the store? Thanks in advance.