Buy UK or Thailand ?

[Speed 3]

I've got a landmark birthday coming up in Feb and plan to be treated to a decent watch. I'm not a watch fanatic, just want something classic and wearable daily. Personal taste (as always) has narrowed down the choice to something like one of these:







They're not necessarily comparable prices new but not fussed about buying used in good / serviced condition. Would prefer an auto as it'll be da daily but can live with a manual in the Speedmaster's case as I don't like the arrow hands on the Seamasters.

We are also going on holiday to Thailand at Easter, staying in Bangkok for a few days. Whilst I haven't tried any of these on yet (and I have quite skinny wrists so have always avoided metal straps in the past, but a new Omega comes with alternate), from a cost perspective, assuming I like all of them, would it be best to buy the Speedmaster new from Dom (£2700ish), the Zenith / Jaeger from a used broker (probably US based) or buy any of them new in Bangkok ?

[Speed 3]

nikaiyo2 said:

I will be in BKK for a day next month, will have a look at prices.

If you can benchmark the Speedmaster that'd be great.

nikaiyo2 said:

Or get a nice open heart Rolex in Patpong Night Market for 1500Bhat

Last time I was there (20 years ago) Tags were all the rage. Don't think we'll be doing Patpong in particular with my 13/10 year old daughters in tow this time

[Speed 3]

benjijames28 said:

My only advise is to avoid the zenith, go for the Omega, or the JLC.

As for where to buy, I have no experience buying in Thailand, that Archie Luxury nutter on YouTube does tho, email him.

With the pound been weak i would assume you would be just as well buying over here. Especially the omega, you can get them dirt cheap grey market, and even at an AD I would be shocked if you walked in with cash and didn't come out having paid at least 20 percent below rrp. My local omega Ad is always having 20 percent off sales on the full omega range.

Interesting, thought the Zenith had a decent rep.

I will do some window shopping here first to see what kind of deal I get.

So grey imports effectvely have no warranty but will have pretty much the same residuals long term ?

[Speed 3]

griff7 said:

Get something from the airport on the way out.

Andy

Yes, forgot to state that option. Did a similar thing on a Rolex for the other half a couple of years ago. If I go for the Speedmaster, they do them pre-orderable at LHR T3 for just under £2700. Just curious if there were other bargain routes and of course if the Omega doesn't suit when I try it on, back to square one. Hey-ho, first world problems.

[Speed 3]

Looks like the consensus is buy UK, at the airport to save the VAT if I pick the Moonwatch. Got a day at Bluewater next Friday so will have a good mooch at new/used in the 3 dealers there and try to make my mind up. Then got a ski weekend in Italy before Thailand so could buy from LGW or later at LHR where I know you can reserve what you want if they stock it.

Thanks all !

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yetra said:

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

No you don't, UK airport "duty free" prices are ex-VAT at purchase wherever you are going internationally, no need to claim back anything. Up until a couple of years ago you could even fly UK domestically and save it because they didn't distinguish flight numbers, I bought my wife a Rolex VAT-free legitimately from T5 on an LHR-EDI-LHR day trip in 2013, that UK loophole now closed off I believe.
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[Speed 3]

yetra said:

Speed 3 said:

yetra said:

You have to leave EU to be able to claim VAT back

No you don't, UK airport "duty free" prices are ex-VAT at purchase wherever you are going internationally, no need to claim back anything. Up until a couple of years ago you could even fly UK domestically and save it because they didn't distinguish flight numbers, I bought my wife a Rolex VAT-free legitimately from T5 on an LHR-EDI-LHR day trip in 2013, that UK loophole now closed off I believe.
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Not sure when you last flew but duty free for EU residents for flights within EU doesn't exist any more. If you fly within EU you won't be able to purchase VAT free. This has been the case for at least 7 years now. If you leave EU you will get it VAT free (or with a discount equal VAT so you don't have to claim) but technically you have to pay VAT once you're back.

As I said, I bought that Rolex in 2013 and that was what I was advised to do by the reseller on a prior trip through LHR before I made the specific buy trip as agreed with them. In all the flights I have made through LHR/LGW I have regularly purchased items at 20% off (standard tagging on clothes for example). The guidance here is less than understandable:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/excise-...

Upon return you are guided to blue, green or red according to where you have come from. I've never been stopped in any of the dozens of arrivals at blue or green. Whether they are discounting or VAT-free I don't really care, if they're jeopardising their status by giving incorrect advice that's their risk. I don't think the authorities are that fussed TBH.

[Speed 3]

Well in the end I bought the bullet and ordered a new Speedmaster from Dom H for the same price as airport. Had a bit of a debate about getting a 1967 Pre-Moon but as I want it as a near-daily and with the variability of originality being a minefield he advised buying new. Picking it up in January just before the birthday, he's honouring current price even if Omega have put them up by collection time.

Still also loving the look of the Zenith El Primero, maybe for my 60th !