Where to buy, Heathrow or Switzerland?

[RiccardoG]

Hi there,

has anyone been able to recently compare prices between the UK and Switzerland? 'Watches of Switzerland' at Heathrow has got some good prices as all watches sold there are less VAT (even for flights within EU), but would there be an even greater saving buying in Switzerland (Lugano)?

In particular I am looking for either a JLC or Rolex (for my girlfriend).

Thanks for any feedback!

[Mattt]

I don't know, but because of the weak pound - I'd reckon it would be more (as are most things it seems in Europe).

[tuffer]

Has anyone managed to get any extra discounts from WOS at Heathrow? I am heading out through Terminal 5 on Wednesday and have my eye on an IWC.....

[RiccardoG]

I guess it depends on what was the price difference (if any) before our £ dropped like a brick. I make it around 25% loss since 2007, so possibly too high a difference?

Also interested on the WOS extra discounts question...

[cjpwood]

Hi All,

The strengh of GBP and what it has done agains CHF isnt necesarilly the main factor. Most of the watch companies price to market and not simply as a direct traslation from the country of origin price. Watch companies put out a UK Retail price list that usually lasts 1 year. This price list usually takes into account market state, fx rate, fx expectiations and competitors prices. Thus the retail price today is more likely to be based on a historical FX rate. However, it is more complex still - because the reatailer will buy stock as and when it is needed he will face an fx rate at any particular point in time and thus his margin to retail price will vary, then he will consider if he sells the watch how much in gbp does he have to spend to replace it..thus the main effect of fx rate fluctuations can be seen in the discount that a retailer is willing to offer on a watch..if gbp is strong compared to the time which the price list went to print then there maybe a bigger discount to be had.

theory aside i would still be interested to hear some direct price comparisons. it always amazes me how cheep watches are in the usa

chris

[bluesatin]

Have not checked in past months but still think Heathrow is cheaper than Zurich Airport. Zurich do not do discounts. Last year a couple of us were after a IWC big Pilot. We checked local shops in Zurich and Zug plus every major airport in Europe. Hetahrow was at the time cheapest!

[omuok765]

I bought a Rolex from WOS recently. Didnt really check prices in Switzerland, but typically Switzerland is reasonably competitively priced with rest of Europe. MRP alone was about 10 - 15% cheaper than Europe (i live in Greece), less taxes and you have yourself a very good saving.

[cjpwood]

does anyone know how the prices in Switzerland and WOS compare to the on-line sites such iconic watches and watch finder?

Maybe I should start it off?

So lets choose a popular watch - the NEW Rolex Explorer II in Steel with White Face 16570

Here are the on-line prices that I have found:

Iconicwatches.co.uk £ 3,295.00
Watch Finder £ 3,321.00 (you need to enter your details to get a price)

if anyone can update it with WOS and swiss prices then it would be good to get a picture of the market

thanks

chris

[tuffer]

Currently in Munich and an IWC Portugese, Automatik Chronograph is E5,900. Not sure how much they are in the UK but I am pretty sure that minus local tax that looks pretty competitive.

[5pen]

tuffer said:

Currently in Munich and an IWC Portugese, Automatik Chronograph is E5,900. Not sure how much they are in the UK but I am pretty sure that minus local tax that looks pretty competitive.

If you mean the watch I think you mean, then they are £4.5k UK retail, so about £3.9k if bought VAT free at Heathrow and you could possibly get one for a bit less than that on the high street with a bit of negotiation.

Not sure what the local tax discount in Munich is, but with using Euro/Sterling rate of 1.10 that's about £5.3k including tax, so unless the tax element is more than £1.4k I'd say that you'd get a better deal in the UK. Unless of course the pound gets back to buying about 1.4 euros... (doesn't look likely any time soon...)

[tuffer]

You are correct, just looked up the UK price. I thought they were nearer to £7k. Oh well, Heathrow it is then.

[seaninog]

Has to be cheaper in Heathrow.

I was in WoS in Terminal 1 recently and was AMAZED to find they sell watches ex-VAT even if you are flying within the EU.

I thought the deal with "Duty Free" shopping was that it wasn't available for travellers within the EU but only if you were flying to somewhere outside like America, Middle East or even Switzerland. I asked about this - twice - and on two consecutive trips to Ireland via Heathrow two separate WoS staff confirmed the same thing to me: even if I'm flying to Ireland, I'm entitled to VAT off. I'm still slightly incredulous though...

So, without VAT and with the pound so weak at the moment, I say again: <b>Has to be cheaper in Heathrow</b>.

HTH