Bought Rolex in Rome - my story (pics included)

[Eva123]

Dear TRF'ers, i wanted to share with you my experience of buying Rolex in Rome. Few weeks ago i spent a part of my vacation in Eternal city. It was my 40th anniversary, i had my wife's permission and agreement to buy Rolex.... so, my hunt started. At first i checked what are official AD in Rome and started my visits. I visited 4 AD in total. Listing prices for my desired model (TT DJ with diamond dial) were absolutely the same. So, i decided that no additional visits to other AD are required.

I had a very firm opinion that i want TT DJ jubilee bracelet, fluted bezel , with diamond dial, however, when i put it on my wrist i saw that on my 8'1 wrist 36 mm watch looked like woman's watch. Also, 2 additional bracelet links were required (each link price is 160 eur). I was really disappointed that watch which looks super nice in catalogue does not look good on my wrist. Then i tried TT sub with blue bezel and blue dial. Nice watch but not a watch of my deams. Then AD suggested me to trie TT DJII with shampagne dial and diamonds. I put this watch on my wrist and immeadiately understood that this is my watch. Even oyster bracelet looked better than jubilee.

Also, i was surprised how AD are very attentive to details. When i visited AD they asked me whether i speak Russian and then immiadetely assigned Russian speaking person. I am Lithuanian but i am fluent in Russian as well. I asked how they determined that i know Russian. They mentioned that i wear wedding ring on right hand. Russians, Baltics andother countries to the East usually wear wedding ring on right hands, westerners on left. Also, it seems that Italian luxury goods market is highly dependent on Russians. Accordingly, Rolex ADs also try to provide the best service... e.g. i was serviced by very nice looking girl from Moldova who had silicone tits

Pricing od Rolex: I was unpleasantly surprused that prices are much higher than indicated in TRF MSRP list. However, it seems that these TRF MSRP list prices do not include VAT or other taxes. I did jot have any relationship with any AD in Rome. When i doscussed with AD what discount they can provide to me on TT DJ II with diamond dial, they said that maximum is 10%. I was asking for 17-20%. When i wss not given higher than 10% discount i said that unfortuntely i will have to go to another AD who will definitely give me higher discount and was prepared to leave AD premises. Then few calls were made to AD owner or general manager and i was given 15% discount. Also, due to the fact that currently i am not resident of EU and had to fly to Moscow from Rome i claimed full 22% VAT. Effectively i had 30% savings from initial 12,700 EUR amount. So, my question to you: could i purchase this watch cheaper in US or other country?

Also, i received from Rolex AD (Haussmann) few small gifts: polishing cloth, leather pouch for watch and small gift fot my wife (leather key token).

I include watch pic as well as few pics when i was walking in Rome with my brand new Rolex