IWC Portofino..should I pull the trigger?
Discussion
Hey guys, I am currently in the UK on family matters and accidentally "fell" into a watch store who happen to have an IWC portofino in the window, its up for £3000 and they offered £2850 with little argument, they say there is a price rise imminent and that the model is new so they cant move on the price much more, I am back in Nov when the prices will of risen... do you think I have more room for movement on the price or is that about right for the watch? (steel with black alligator strap and white face)...Im going for lunch tomorrow (and to go buy the watch potentially) and flying back out of the UK on Saturday...what you lot think??? 
I have a Seamaster Pro and was looking for a dress watch, IWC's for me an X-Factor appeal that I can't explain, I was just wondering if I'd be better buying elsewhere.Would seem fair value if you can get the VAT off it. Why don't you try getting in touch with some of the watch shops at key duty free places? I got my Portofino at Singapore and it was much cheaper at the time than the UK.
I bought an Ebel for my wife recently in Sydney and got a quote from Singapore, HK and UK before doing so to make sure it was reasonable value.
Given the weakness of the pound it might now be a good time to buy from there with another currency I would have thought.
I bought an Ebel for my wife recently in Sydney and got a quote from Singapore, HK and UK before doing so to make sure it was reasonable value.
Given the weakness of the pound it might now be a good time to buy from there with another currency I would have thought.
In the end I decided to just have lunch and not buy it.
...then the funniest thing happened, I blacked out and the next thing i know i was leaving the shop with a bag in my hand! Lo and behold, inside was the watch! Ah well, too late now, might as well enjoy it, in the end (including tax back) I got it from £3000 down to £2440.
Fair play to those who don't like it, variety is the spice of life and if we all liked the same things, well, we'd all have the same watch and where would the fun be in that!? Thanks to everyone who contributed, you know, even though alot of you were saying that you wouldn't buy it, it didn't deter me one bit, I guess that's what made me decide that I really wanted it for the right reason, not because I want people to say "ooh nice watch" but because I enjoy it"!
Thanks chaps!
...then the funniest thing happened, I blacked out and the next thing i know i was leaving the shop with a bag in my hand! Lo and behold, inside was the watch! Ah well, too late now, might as well enjoy it, in the end (including tax back) I got it from £3000 down to £2440.
Fair play to those who don't like it, variety is the spice of life and if we all liked the same things, well, we'd all have the same watch and where would the fun be in that!? Thanks to everyone who contributed, you know, even though alot of you were saying that you wouldn't buy it, it didn't deter me one bit, I guess that's what made me decide that I really wanted it for the right reason, not because I want people to say "ooh nice watch" but because I enjoy it"!
Thanks chaps!
RichB said:
hornetrider said:
FWIW, I'm not convinced on the mix of numerals and numbers on the watch face... and for that reason, I'm out.
Ooo I like that! Dr_Rick said:
Not helpful in itself, but I prefer the IWC Portuguese as a dress watch myself.
Agreed.kelk said:
That's what I'm saving for - I love that watch
I used to want that watch with a passion and then I noticed the weirdly cut in half 12 and 6 below the subdials and now I can't stop seeing them and it really annoys me. It's the same on any other watch to be honest, I have no problem with a missing number but a partial number ruins a watch in my mind. Especially ones with roman numerals where the cut numeral ends up displaying an entirely incorrect number.Tazza said:
hornetrider said:
Mark.H said:
not because I want people to say "ooh nice watch" but because I enjoy it"!
Well said 
absolutely, you enjoyed the thrill of the chase, and if (when?!) that wears off you can flip. But for now that is a great watch, at a great price. Enjoy!HarryW said:
As you are already a resident in the Gulf states can't you get a better 'bargain' out there?
afraid not, I dont know why everyone thinks that it is cheaper out there, food, drink, accommodation, electronics, watches etc are more expensive than the UK. Infact only fuel and tobacco is cheaper in my experience. 
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