GMT Root beer CHNR in airport duty free

[VacherObsessive]

I was in my regular london Rolex boutique (watches of Switzerland) in Heathrow airport that I always pop into to have a chat when I'm travelling for work, as I have bought 2 pieces from them in the past.

We discussed my GMT BLNR that I was wearing, that I bought from them 1 year ago when I had a very lucky day there, and he said well, “as you’re an existing customer, is there anything (sort of a wink wink... anything) that I was interested in seeing, that wasn’t in the case?”, “there are some models that we do not sell to the public and only hold for our existing clients”.

I said to him in all fairness, since I managed to get a BLNR (from them) last year, I’m not in in the market for anything new, I just like to admire their beauty from afar. (As I’d also already bought a 16700 for my wife and a exp2 polar as well this year 2019).. I did follow by saying; “But as you ask, I’ve yet to see a CHNR in the flesh yet, and that is one of my favourite pieces out of the new range”.

He said.. “please take a seat sir.”

30 seconds later, he walks out holding a coffin.... he opens the coffin and takes out a CHNR.

I am truly gobsmacked. I try it on.., and just WOW. It is utterly stunning

It really is a wow piece and everything positive that has been said about it is true. It has incredible presence. Love it!

We had further chit chat and I asked stupidly; how much? He said as I am leaving the EU today it is 20% off MSRP (£10,850), duty free, so the price is £9,000.

I paused for a minute (felt like 10 minutes). I looked at my BLNR oyster on the table, looked at the CHNR... he asked if I wanted a beer. I declined politely,

And i said, “today is not the day, as much as I love it, I can’t justify it, it was a real honour to try it out, and I very much appreciate you looking after me. “

I was thinking to myself If I bought this, it would be too similar to the BLNR and I would hardly have cause to wear it... as seeing it next to my BLNR, I prefer my BLNR. The BLNR as a travel watch for my daily use is just magic, and the CHNR would not be as ideal as a pure SS. I can’t justify or afford to have both at this time. It would be 1 or the other.

I said to him, can you give me a minute, and I’ll call my wife see what she thinks.. as I thought to myself, my wife may want to trade her Pepsi 16700 and have this instead as she LOVES the CHNR. He said no problem

I gave her a quick ring and sent her a pic

She said she wanted it!!!..... BUT. Would not trade the 16700 Pepsi under any circumstances as that’s her favourite piece. I agreed with her. So therefore no sale.

I went back to the store and said “thank you so much, but today I think I’ll give it a miss, and let the next guy who has been desperately trying to find one get it and I’m sure it’ll make his day/week/year...”

He said no problem at all. And that if I change my mind in the lounge (as he could see me twitching), he’ll most definitely still have it if I want it before I fly off.

He also said, “that anytime you am looking for a particular piece, please stop by, say your name, as we have your details and I’ve put a note on the system (along with my purchase history), and if they have what I’m looking for, i can have it. As our policy is that all professional models are kept back, and are for our existing clients only, and only available upon request by existing clients.”

Good news to hear that!

- Am I stupid for passing on such a beautiful piece? Maybe

- Do I not realise that this is a £15,000 watch at open grey market? And I was offered it brand new for £9,000? Yes I knew that

- Did I not realise that even if I didn’t get on with the watch I could make £4000+ instantly by giving it to any dealer when I got back to the UK? Yes I know it’s possible

- Is it worth flipping while also risking my reputation with a very good and plentiful AD that I’ll likely buy from at 20% off MSRP in the future..? NO

I’m not a Hindu, but I do believe that there is some sort of karma and although my wife and I have had a huge amount of bad luck recently, and maybe this was ‘them’ giving us something back as some recompense.. maybe it’s a test, and don’t go for the bait.

So I passed, and wish the next customer who wants one who will wear it with joy the best of luck!

[WWC]

Good for you! Really. Not many people would have done what you did as they would have snatched it at MSRP to flip it for a quick profit.

The AD staff will always remember you and they will have even better things for you in the future. They respect real customers like you. Well done

[Muxi]

They must have other references on hand by the way he phrased the question to you!

[42itus]

That takes incredible discipline abut it’s great that you have such a good relationship with your AD. Something better will be there when it’s time!


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[Number3]

Good for you man.

[SpiritSoul]

which LHR terminal was this?

[Rolex Essex]

Its nice to hear these stories. I’m guessing this was at t3?

[Scapegoat]

Good on you and wishing you better luck!

[Slightfade]

Good for you! I have no doubt that it will stand you in good stead in the future.

I picked up a CHNR this week and I am absolutely delighted with it (even without a £2k discount!).

I probably couldn't have avoided asking whether he had the odd Daytona or two in the back though....

[jaySL350]

Much respect to you VO,,,
A lot of people would have banged it on the card then flipped it,,,,
Wise wife,,if I had a 16710 then I too wouldn’t part with it for even a gorgeous chnr,,

[REFZ]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

...He said as I am leaving the EU today it is 20% off MSRP (£10,850), duty free, so the price is £9,000...

This is not correct, as you are flying out of the UK and back into the UK you should pay VAT and/or declare is on your return to pay the VAT.

The watch doesn't leave the EU and stays inside the EU so the VAT has to be paid somewhere in the EU (UK in your case).

[kearez]

Interesting, I think you made the right call, by the way you would have to pay VAT on entering your next country.

Was this at T5? As I was there on Sunday, dressed business casual, with my DJ had a look around and the sales staff did not even acknowledge me. I also said Hello when I walked in.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

So I passed, and wish the next customer who wants one who will wear it with joy the best of luck!

Great read and, like you, have passed on a few timepieces offered over the years (recently, a SD43, Polar, etc) so others who truly desired them could enjoy. Had a great time chatting to the guys at Watches Of Switzerland in Vegas. Their store, imho, had the best selection of Rolex in Vegas imho.

[Jamie1111]

Well because you asked, stupid decision yes, close to blnr, not at all, from bracelet to material not even close.... unless you consider all ceramics too similar too each other (perhaps Daytona c being the exception) the chnr and blnr are completely different.. your loss in my opinion.


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[Mperry10]

I was at T5 recently and visited the Boutique when it first opened. Lots of diamond date justs but nothing else. Had a conversation with the sales assistant but no offer of anything interesting.

[absolute]

Cool story man. However, you'd have to declare that purchase though, and pay 20% at customs as you should declare it. You don't want to be looking over your shoulder for the taxman, they'll come after you with all their might and shake all the corporations hands who pay 0% on 250mil.

[JodyHighroller]

Good on you for passing, but I would’ve found a way to make it work given the wife truly likes it. Not many opportunities in this current market. BTW, karma is also a universal concept.

From my correspondence with my client advisor at WOS, he mentioned the airport stores get the slow selling inventory, and the more sought after pieces are in their other locations. I connect in LHR quite frequently for my travels. They also like to size you up depending on what watch you wear into the store.

Thank you for sharing with us!

[iheartrolexx]

you should've asked for the daytona or sky dweller

[Maiden]

Good for you. The fact is you and your wife own spectacular watches and you didn’t let greed or the FOMO make you buy a watch you don’t “ need”. Well done.

[77T]

That took maximum restraint.

Interesting that an airport duty free shop has regular customers - hadn’t thought of that but make sense in a major one like London’s.

Just a last thought -
I’d love to see what the cognoscenti would have posted if your thread (word for word) had been written by a new member who joined just 12 hours before posting...


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[liverpool23]

Shame would love a CHNR but haven't brought from them before

[VacherObsessive]

Thanks guys for the nice words!

Originally Posted by Muxi

They must have other references on hand by the way he phrased the question to you!

That’s what I’m thinking!

I’m guessing he would have had at least a sub, and probably all the secondary SS pieces like exp1 and 2, milli etc. Who knows if he had something even more special. I wouldn’t be surprised

Originally Posted by 42itus

That takes incredible discipline abut it’s great that you have such a good relationship with your AD. Something better will be there when it’s time!

Thank you and fingers crossed

Originally Posted by Slightfade

Good for you! I have no doubt that it will stand you in good stead in the future.

I picked up a CHNR this week and I am absolutely delighted with it (even without a £2k discount!).

I probably couldn't have avoided asking whether he had the odd Daytona or two in the back though....

Well done on such a beautiful piece!

I know what you mean with the Daytona’s. But even then I’m not in the market for anything and shouldn’t have asked in the first place. But it was good info to know for next time, when the time comes (that is if the rules do not change yet again ..)

Originally Posted by REFZ

This is not correct, as you are flying out of the UK and back into the UK you should pay VAT and/or declare is on your return to pay the VAT.

The watch doesn't leave the EU and stays inside the EU so the VAT has to be paid somewhere in the EU (UK in your case).

Well I didn’t buy it anyway, and at the point of sale, I would not be paying VAT

Originally Posted by kearez

Interesting, I think you made the right call, by the way you would have to pay VAT on entering your next country.

Where I was going doesn’t have VAT

Was this at T5? As I was there on Sunday, dressed business casual, with my DJ had a look around and the sales staff did not even acknowledge me. I also said Hello when I walked in.

Due to all the messages I’m getting from (probably flippers) I’m not going to disclose the terminal to avoid all these people heading in there and pestering the salesman. There are 4 to pick from and they’re all watches of Switzerland and all the same, I just don’t want people hassling the specific guy as some can be quite aggressive when they end up getting refused.

Originally Posted by Jamie1111

Well because you asked, stupid decision yes, close to blnr, not at all, from bracelet to material not even close.... unless you consider all ceramics too similar too each other (perhaps Daytona c being the exception) the chnr and blnr are completely different.. your loss in my opinion.

For me personally, GMT BLNR oyster and GMT CHNR oyster only have 2 differences, rosegold centre and half a different colour ceramic bezel infil. Same shape, same size, same movement, same complication, same bracelet type, same clasp, same proportions, etc. I personally can’t justify having both - don’t get me wrong, I would LOVE to have both. But, I can’t. So it is what it is

And, as I said, I have got better things to spend £9k on at this time in my life considering I’ve already bought 3 watches this last 12 months.

Originally Posted by JodyHighroller

Good on you for passing, but I would’ve found a way to make it work given the wife truly likes it. Not many opportunities in this current market. BTW, karma is also a universal concept.

thank you. But in all fairness I can’t afford to buy both. I only got her the Pepsi 3 months ago

From my correspondence with my client advisor at WOS, he mentioned the airport stores get the slow selling inventory, and the more sought after pieces are in their other locations. I connect in LHR quite frequently for my travels. They also like to size you up depending on what watch you wear into the store.

Thank you for sharing with us!

I think they may get less, but they do get hot models. in T2 they had a hulk a week before, and a DS. The terminal I bought my BLNR last year, they had a black daytona come in on the same day (I also passed on that, because I wanted the BLNR and didn’t want to buy both!) again, maybe that was a dumb move in terms of £££ but I want to wear the watch and use it as it was intended (for travel), so daytona is no good for me ..

[novae500]

I would have venmo/paypal you the funds for the CHNR. Trying to add to my miniscule collection.

[ap1]

What restraint - I would have snatched it up

[frequentflyer]

I was in that AD twice this week, I asked if they had any GMT’s. They must have flat out lied to me. Shame on them! It’s turned into a pretty sad game recently.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by VacherObsessive

He also said, “that anytime you am looking for a particular piece, please stop by, say your name, as we have your details and I’ve put a note on the system (along with my purchase history), and if they have what I’m looking for, i can have it. As our policy is that all professional models are kept back, and are for our existing clients only, and only available upon request by existing clients.”

Congrats, that's great to hear!

Have two overseas contacts like that, one at an airport and one at a seaport. Be sure to give them a month or two lead time BEFORE to leave for your trip, these ADs do tend to deliver

[maxymax]

Nice story, OP. We need more sincere true Rolexers like you!

[N&M]

There is no chanse that other buyer will not sell with extra profit next day.
I'd buy them if I were you. If it’s too expensive to keep it - you can sell to true Rolex fan without ADM. and you will bring happiness:)

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by REFZ

This is not correct, as you are flying out of the UK and back into the UK you should pay VAT and/or declare is on your return to pay the VAT.

The watch doesn't leave the EU and stays inside the EU so the VAT has to be paid somewhere in the EU (UK in your case).

sort of... non rolex is tax free equalivent within the EU. so its like a discount. I bought an AP that way once at Harrods at heathrow. I flew to brussels and back the same day. I never left the customs union AND i got the same price as if i was leaving


Flying out the the EU you are correct you have to declare when returning

HMRC is one of the most vigilant customs authorities i have encountered, I tried to get a refund on my Pt daytona when i was repatriating to the US. No dice as i didn't have my resident permit canceled yet with a letter from the home office stating it was cancelled. Luckily i had to go back anyway, so the second time i tried to get the refund they finally approved it with literally two days to spare on the time limit.

I would advise anyone to be extra careful with the UK tax authorities. Wouldn't surprise me if they monitored UK resident high value purchases made at the airport. Maybe not all the time but i have heard stories of people getting flagged on return for no reason and guess what, they had a brand new watch. How could they know?

[shaunylw]

Sounds like you have a great relationship and have nothing to worry about on passing. I don’t think you would have any issue getting another one from the sound of it.


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