Rolex Explorer - Heathrow
Discussion
Hi
I've read lots and lots of people's experiences of buying stainless steel Rolex's from Heathrow by reserving/putting a deposit down and then collecting on the day of the flight. Basically, it seems that until about 2 or 3 years ago everyone could do this no problem and now (due to Rolex HQ cottoning on) it seems that only a few have successfully done this.
For those that have recently done this, how did you go about this? I called Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland and was told no can do.
If this is no longer possible, does anyone know of any other dealers which will give s similar discount on an Explorer?
As it's my first proper watch I do not want to go pre-owned.
Many thanks.
I've read lots and lots of people's experiences of buying stainless steel Rolex's from Heathrow by reserving/putting a deposit down and then collecting on the day of the flight. Basically, it seems that until about 2 or 3 years ago everyone could do this no problem and now (due to Rolex HQ cottoning on) it seems that only a few have successfully done this.
For those that have recently done this, how did you go about this? I called Mappin & Webb and Watches of Switzerland and was told no can do.
If this is no longer possible, does anyone know of any other dealers which will give s similar discount on an Explorer?
As it's my first proper watch I do not want to go pre-owned.
Many thanks.
Have a look here: http://www.iconicwatches.co.uk/catalogsearch/resul...
Iconic seem to have a good following
Iconic seem to have a good following
yeti said:
Chunk49 said:
As it's my first proper watch I do not want to go pre-owned.
I have probably owned 15-20 fine watches and non of them have been new........perhaps you should think again ......let some other person take the initial 20-60% knock depending which fine watch you fancy......there again if you buy a new TAG they will probably throw you another for free michael gould said:
yeti said:
Chunk49 said:
As it's my first proper watch I do not want to go pre-owned.
I have probably owned 15-20 fine watches and non of them have been new........perhaps you should think again ......let some other person take the initial 20-60% knock depending which fine watch you fancy......there again if you buy a new TAG they will probably throw you another for free Chunk49 said:
I do see your point and I'm sure for some watches (the ones that depreciate heaviest) this is definitely the case. However, pre-owned mint 2010 Explorer in a respected London dealer today: £3,600. Brand new from the website someone just linked (Iconic Watches): £3,790. For me that's a no brainer to go new, no? Unless you mean pre-owned + private sale. But I don't want the hassle/risk.
The 3600 is the starting price; it'd end up at 3200 at a guess. Iconic's price is fixed, but very good it must be said.michael gould said:
yeti said:
Chunk49 said:
As it's my first proper watch I do not want to go pre-owned.
I have probably owned 15-20 fine watches and non of them have been new........perhaps you should think again ......let some other person take the initial 20-60% knock depending which fine watch you fancy......there again if you buy a new TAG they will probably throw you another for free 
I called WOS about a year ago (T3) and reserved an Omega Speedmaster over the phone, paid a £400 deposit and collected it 2 months later on my way through.
I must have been called 10 times over that 2 month period asking if I would like to have my money back, they would like to sell the watch............I said no
I appreciate it's not a Rolex, but I wonder if they would rather have good watch stock they can sell rather than stock they can't and have recently had a change of policy?
I must have been called 10 times over that 2 month period asking if I would like to have my money back, they would like to sell the watch............I said no
I appreciate it's not a Rolex, but I wonder if they would rather have good watch stock they can sell rather than stock they can't and have recently had a change of policy?
Hi, first post!
On my last visit through LHR I was advised in WOS that they could price match tax free prices for EU travel.
Contacted WOS LHR T3 and M&W T5 in January 14 to enquire about a SS DJ2. I was scheduled to travel via T5 in March. Both WOS and M&W are part of the Aurum group and so I expected that their policies would be the same, no. WOS said that that they could source the watch from group stock and supply it at tax free price. M&W could source it but not at the tax free price unless I was travelling out of the EU(evidently something they had just brought in at M&W T5). Then of course it would be chargeable on return to UK.
Anyway, lots of telephone and e-mail contact with Raksha at WOS T3 (0208 759 6696)as they required full payment (deposit on CC and balance via bank draft within 7 days) and I was nervous about the latter (no protection). Once satisfied that the money / process was genuine I went ahead. I arranged to collect the watch from T5 when I travelled late March. (In the end I sized it on the day of travel and collected it via Heathrow shop & collect on my return)
So in short, WOS can and do reserve items subject to them being in group stock. They may of course only allow some stock to move this way, but for me it was worth an e-mail saving £800 + £40 in Heathrow Reward points
On my last visit through LHR I was advised in WOS that they could price match tax free prices for EU travel.
Contacted WOS LHR T3 and M&W T5 in January 14 to enquire about a SS DJ2. I was scheduled to travel via T5 in March. Both WOS and M&W are part of the Aurum group and so I expected that their policies would be the same, no. WOS said that that they could source the watch from group stock and supply it at tax free price. M&W could source it but not at the tax free price unless I was travelling out of the EU(evidently something they had just brought in at M&W T5). Then of course it would be chargeable on return to UK.
Anyway, lots of telephone and e-mail contact with Raksha at WOS T3 (0208 759 6696)as they required full payment (deposit on CC and balance via bank draft within 7 days) and I was nervous about the latter (no protection). Once satisfied that the money / process was genuine I went ahead. I arranged to collect the watch from T5 when I travelled late March. (In the end I sized it on the day of travel and collected it via Heathrow shop & collect on my return)
So in short, WOS can and do reserve items subject to them being in group stock. They may of course only allow some stock to move this way, but for me it was worth an e-mail saving £800 + £40 in Heathrow Reward points
cdpopeye said:
Hi, first post!
On my last visit through LHR I was advised in WOS that they could price match tax free prices for EU travel.
Contacted WOS LHR T3 and M&W T5 in January 14 to enquire about a SS DJ2. I was scheduled to travel via T5 in March. Both WOS and M&W are part of the Aurum group and so I expected that their policies would be the same, no. WOS said that that they could source the watch from group stock and supply it at tax free price. M&W could source it but not at the tax free price unless I was travelling out of the EU(evidently something they had just brought in at M&W T5). Then of course it would be chargeable on return to UK.
Anyway, lots of telephone and e-mail contact with Raksha at WOS T3 (0208 759 6696)as they required full payment (deposit on CC and balance via bank draft within 7 days) and I was nervous about the latter (no protection). Once satisfied that the money / process was genuine I went ahead. I arranged to collect the watch from T5 when I travelled late March. (In the end I sized it on the day of travel and collected it via Heathrow shop & collect on my return)
So in short, WOS can and do reserve items subject to them being in group stock. They may of course only allow some stock to move this way, but for me it was worth an e-mail saving £800 + £40 in Heathrow Reward points
Does the DJ2 qualify as a 'Sports/Professional Watch' for Rolex's purposes? I fear that this may be why it was done. On my last visit through LHR I was advised in WOS that they could price match tax free prices for EU travel.
Contacted WOS LHR T3 and M&W T5 in January 14 to enquire about a SS DJ2. I was scheduled to travel via T5 in March. Both WOS and M&W are part of the Aurum group and so I expected that their policies would be the same, no. WOS said that that they could source the watch from group stock and supply it at tax free price. M&W could source it but not at the tax free price unless I was travelling out of the EU(evidently something they had just brought in at M&W T5). Then of course it would be chargeable on return to UK.
Anyway, lots of telephone and e-mail contact with Raksha at WOS T3 (0208 759 6696)as they required full payment (deposit on CC and balance via bank draft within 7 days) and I was nervous about the latter (no protection). Once satisfied that the money / process was genuine I went ahead. I arranged to collect the watch from T5 when I travelled late March. (In the end I sized it on the day of travel and collected it via Heathrow shop & collect on my return)
So in short, WOS can and do reserve items subject to them being in group stock. They may of course only allow some stock to move this way, but for me it was worth an e-mail saving £800 + £40 in Heathrow Reward points
es both WOS and Mappin & Webb Heathrow confirmed the position was that it would just be luck of the draw if they had one in as someone was passing through and that they don't reserve the most popular models.
However, mindful of rumours of a price rise this summer, am very pleased to say I yesterday picked up a new Explorer from a dealer in London! It is a gorgeous, classic, understated watch. My first expensive watch and a keeper.
However, mindful of rumours of a price rise this summer, am very pleased to say I yesterday picked up a new Explorer from a dealer in London! It is a gorgeous, classic, understated watch. My first expensive watch and a keeper.
Was in t5 yesterday and queried the new rules on SS models, apparently they get random stock in and all but the Daytona are included. If you are flying outside EU you get the duty free price, inside is list. This has been in place since January.
Obviously I mentioned the new Sea Dweller and they had received one and it sold within about 10 minutes, to some guy who had no idea about watches and just asked for a 'nice watch'; he had no clue to how desirable it was at all. Not sure whether to laugh or cry!
Obviously I mentioned the new Sea Dweller and they had received one and it sold within about 10 minutes, to some guy who had no idea about watches and just asked for a 'nice watch'; he had no clue to how desirable it was at all. Not sure whether to laugh or cry!
westberks said:
Was in t5 yesterday and queried the new rules on SS models, apparently they get random stock in and all but the Daytona are included. If you are flying outside EU you get the duty free price, inside is list. This has been in place since January.
Obviously I mentioned the new Sea Dweller and they had received one and it sold within about 10 minutes, to some guy who had no idea about watches and just asked for a 'nice watch'; he had no clue to how desirable it was at all. Not sure whether to laugh or cry!
I'm flying into and out of T5 next week... Will be sure to stop in for a look!Obviously I mentioned the new Sea Dweller and they had received one and it sold within about 10 minutes, to some guy who had no idea about watches and just asked for a 'nice watch'; he had no clue to how desirable it was at all. Not sure whether to laugh or cry!
A mate mentioned this thread so I thought I would share my experience with buying a Rolex at Heathrow.
At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
Paulgwat said:
A mate mentioned this thread so I thought I would share my experience with buying a Rolex at Heathrow.
At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
It will only be duty free up to the personal allowance of around 135 gbp anything over that and its full duty I`m afraid.At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
phumy said:
Paulgwat said:
A mate mentioned this thread so I thought I would share my experience with buying a Rolex at Heathrow.
At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
It will only be duty free up to the personal allowance of around 135 gbp anything over that and its full duty I`m afraid.At the end of April I rang around the various jewellers at the Heathrow terminals, I started with mappin and Webb who said no to selling any Rolex with a discount equivalent to the duty if travelling within EU.
Watches of Switzerland on the other hand said no problem but I would need to pay a deposit before the end of April to lock the price as tax free as they would be adopting the same policy as mappin.
last week I picked up the yacht master from watches of Switzerland in terminal 1 and while I was waiting for them to remove links from the strap I got chatting to the sales assistant. WoS can now sell all Rolex stainless models (they had stock of submariners and GMT's when I was there) but to qualify for tax free you need to leave the EU and declare it on your return.
Everything apart from Rolex is still available with a discount equivalent to tax free - although I was able to get a very similar discount on a Breitling on the high street a couple of weeks ago.
Cheers
Paul
When I was in T5 last week, they told me that everything was "VAT free", however Rolex (according to them) had stipulated that you could only get this discount if you were flying out of the UK, and you were then responsible for declaring it on the way back or not, as your conscience dictated). All the other brands could be purchased "tax free" without leaving the country.
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