Buy Rolex in Dubai ?

[Fluted_Bezel]

Taking business trip to Dubai. Curious if anything to note regarding buying Rolex there over seas rather than U.S.
Is availability better ?
Better retail or grey market prices than U.S ?

Currency is over 3 Dubai Emirati Dirhams for 1 U.S dollar there.

[TBT]

No. Middle East AD's are not held to Manufacture Retail Pricing. They charge more for the models in demand and go by their own internal price sheet that changes up and down with what the grey market dealers are charging.

[Fluted_Bezel]

Originally Posted by TBT

No. Middle East AD's are not held to Manufacture Retail Pricing. They charge more for the models in demand and go by their own internal price sheet that changes up and down with what the grey market dealers are charging.

Ah to bad wishful thinking on my part haha

[JDA0779]

Hello there,
1 usd equal 3.67 aed as standard as the uae dirham is pegged to the dollar. so it remain same always.
ADs sell about 5-10% above RRP and add Vat so makes it very expensive to buy from AD.
Some Datejust available as the 10 locations of local AD.

if you really want to buy something in mind sports head to Gold Souq.
you can get any watch you want brand new date unworn for about 5% less than international grey market. most is eu stock imported to dxb.
The rates are awesome in the wholesale market.
Even if u dont want tk buy do make a trip to the gold souq watch stores !
All the best

[whiskyrolex]

Originally Posted by TBT

No. Middle East AD's are not held to Manufacture Retail Pricing. They charge more for the models in demand and go by their own internal price sheet that changes up and down with what the grey market dealers are charging.

That's not been my experience when I purchased a watch at a Rolex boutique in Dubai mall.

Regardless of pricing, inventory will remain an issue.

[jimcarver]

Originally Posted by Fluted_Bezel

Taking business trip to Dubai. Curious if anything to note regarding buying Rolex there over seas rather than U.S.
Is availability better ?
Better retail or grey market prices than U.S ?

Currency is over 3 Dubai Emirati Dirhams for 1 U.S dollar there.

Haha what were you comparing the exchange rate to, it needs some context. The JPY is 146 to 1 USD, it doesn't make it cheaper in Japan. In the case of the UAE the exchange rate is irrelevant, it's always over 3 AED to 1 USD (3.67 to be exact).

More or less zero chance of getting anything desirable at retail. Grey market is better (and cheaper) in the States than Dubai.

Take a look in DXB airport AD, I counted 47 slots for watches.... 46 empty with 1 lady DJ.

[SS Oyster]

Nothing was available when I went last year. Worth a visit though to see the private VIP room!









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[Fluted_Bezel]

Interesting replies thanks and WOW those pictures! Thanks for sharing

[JadedTraveller]

Availability = the same as everywhere else = no chance
Gold Souk - be careful, there are lots of AAA+ fakes in Dubai, in fact I bought a Try Before You Buy from there, I knew I was buying a fake, comparing it to my genuine watch, it's very close.
Dubizzle is the eBay equivalent, have a look on there for 2nd hand prices.
There is Grey Market reseller in the Gold and Diamond Park, I picked up a SD43 from there.

[Hotrod297]

Unless you're able and willing to pay cash, you're not getting any good deals. I stopped buying from there years ago. I get better deals in the USA.

Forget about the ADs there. Same rules of engagement, unless you have a history with them, your not getting anything.

You may luck out at the Duty Free at the airport, but I've mostly only seen DJ and women's watches.

[Fluted_Bezel]

Originally Posted by Hotrod297

Unless you're able and willing to pay cash, you're not getting any good deals. I stopped buying from there years ago. I get better deals in the USA.

Forget about the ADs there. Same rules of engagement, unless you have a history with them, your not getting anything.

You may luck out at the Duty Free at the airport, but I've mostly only seen DJ and women's watches.

Hi I am here now in Dubai, I would be willing to pay however if I found any model I interest at retail price. I asked at duty free and they had nothing to offer.

[Fluted_Bezel]

Originally Posted by JadedTraveller

Availability = the same as everywhere else = no chance
Gold Souk - be careful, there are lots of AAA+ fakes in Dubai, in fact I bought a Try Before You Buy from there, I knew I was buying a fake, comparing it to my genuine watch, it's very close.
Dubizzle is the eBay equivalent, have a look on there for 2nd hand prices.
There is Grey Market reseller in the Gold and Diamond Park, I picked up a SD43 from there.

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t like the idea of very good fakes out here if I’m looking to buy 😳. Can you point me to the grey market reseller please.

[77T]

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Don’t let the side-trip quest for a Rolex color the overall visit for its original purpose.


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[marselluswallace]

Im in Dubai at the moment.I think Rolex prices are amongst the most expensive on earth here and in common with everywhere else the AD in my hotel (Atlantis) has exhibition models only on show.

[fsprow]

Originally Posted by marselluswallace

Im in Dubai at the moment.I think Rolex prices are amongst the most expensive on earth here and in common with everywhere else the AD in my hotel (Atlantis) has exhibition models only on show.

Just leaving Dubai. Unless one has a personal connection with the principals of a dealership, just enjoy the many pleasures of this city and forget buying “in demand” watches.

[salnuaimi]

Im from Dubai and have a profile of 1million+ AED and didnt get a single call since the beginning of the year LOL

If you are seeking grey dealers let me know which watch and I will give you how much you should expect

[Fluted_Bezel]

Originally Posted by 77T

Hope you enjoy your trip.

Don’t let the side-trip quest for a Rolex color the overall visit for its original purpose.

thank you and you are correct, I’ve let it go for now and taking in all the greatness Dubai has to offer.

Originally Posted by marselluswallace

Im in Dubai at the moment.I think Rolex prices are amongst the most expensive on earth here and in common with everywhere else the AD in my hotel (Atlantis) has exhibition models only on show.

wow it’s unfortunate because I thought it would be cool to acquire a piece from Dubai as it would have some more meaning to it.

Originally Posted by fsprow

Just leaving Dubai. Unless one has a personal connection with the principals of a dealership, just enjoy the many pleasures of this city and forget buying “in demand” watches.

Very sound advice. Thank you!

Originally Posted by salnuaimi

Im from Dubai and have a profile of 1million+ AED and didnt get a single call since the beginning of the year LOL

If you are seeking grey dealers let me know which watch and I will give you how much you should expect

ouch and thank you for your offer to help. For now I’ve let it go. Time to hit the SPA 😎

[Oryx]

Originally Posted by TBT

No. Middle East AD's are not held to Manufacture Retail Pricing. They charge more for the models in demand and go by their own internal price sheet that changes up and down with what the grey market dealers are charging.

This is not correct. Dealers in the ME also adhere to the RRP. I’m sure there are a few bad actors here and there but direct predatory pricing is not the norm.

Getting an allocation is the biggest issue…

[grimps]

They used to give 10% discounts on gold or Datejusts ect but they have stopped doing it the last 2-3 years.
Rolex cost more here than back home in the UK which I can never understand as the tax is so much less in the UAE.
Your best chance of picking anything up will be at the airport but you'll be very lucky.
I picked a Sub date up in the summer

[JadedTraveller]

Originally Posted by Fluted_Bezel

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t like the idea of very good fakes out here if I’m looking to buy 😳. Can you point me to the grey market reseller please.

Styleout Watches .com

[Fluted_Bezel]

Originally Posted by JadedTraveller

Styleout Watches .com

Thanks i guess I will give them a call. Only 25 minutes from where I am staying
.

[dlmypr]

My friend told me an employee in one of the UAE ADs offered full gold daytona for 25% over the retail price, anyone had similar experience?

[salnuaimi]

Originally Posted by dlmypr

My friend told me an employee in one of the UAE ADs offered full gold daytona for 25% over the retail price, anyone had similar experience?

Abudhabi AD might do that

[James.B]

Originally Posted by marselluswallace

Im in Dubai at the moment.I think Rolex prices are amongst the most expensive on earth here and in common with everywhere else the AD in my hotel (Atlantis) has exhibition models only on show.

Might have bumped into you. Also staying at the Atlantis at the moment.
Mind you … place is massive lol