Does the exchange rate warrant a trip

[Big Shurl]

The dollar has seen a comeback as of late. I've had my eyes on the white gold Day-Date II for a few months now. I'm wondering if the trip to Switzerland or Hong Kong would pay for itself these days. Do you have to pay VAT if a watch is purchased in Switzerland? Are there any savings to be had in any markets right now? I'm figuring if I could save 15% somewhere my wife and I might as well let the savings pay for a bit of a trip. Anyone have any recent experience?

[rr-nyc]

The Euro is a bargain compared to the exchange rates of the past so you can get a very good deal especially if you get the VAT refund. Some will give you an instant credit and others you have to wait until you're leaving while other stores don't participate at all. Make sure the store you purchase from participates because not all do.

Will it pay for your vacation? It depends on how much you spend.

Back in the days before the Euro it certainly would.

[Big Shurl]

Thanks RR. I'm torn, the AD's in my area are asking 55k for the watch while sites like swissluxury are literally half that price. Is a warranty worth 20k. No. As far as the savings paying for the trip. My wife would never allow that to happen lol. She's uncontrollable. I had heart surgery about five years ago and haven't felt comfortable making such a long flight. Last few trips to France my wife has just travelled with her sisters but I believe we'll be taking the QE-II over in April.

[renfield33]

i'm sure you declare the purchase on your way back and pay the tax?

[Big Shurl]

Of course

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Big Shurl

Thanks RR. I'm torn, the AD's in my area are asking 55k for the watch while sites like swissluxury are literally half that price. Is a warranty worth 20k. No. As far as the savings paying for the trip. My wife would never allow that to happen lol. She's uncontrollable. I had heart surgery about five years ago and haven't felt comfortable making such a long flight. Last few trips to France my wife has just travelled with her sisters but I believe we'll be taking the QE-II over in April.

I would definitely go gray market on a watch like that and save that kind of money. I didn't think about how much that particular watch is.

BTW, you would rather be on a ship (I assume you meant QMII?) for a 6 day trans-atlantic crossing than 7-8 hours on a plane?

[Big Shurl]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

I would definitely go gray market on a watch like that and save that kind of money. I didn't think about how much that particular watch is.

BTW, you would rather be on a ship (I assume you meant QMII?) for a 6 day trans-atlantic crossing than 7-8 hours on a plane?

I think I've had too much quantitive easing on my mind; uh I mean dilution on my mind . Yes the ship, and last time I flew from Philly to Paris it was like 8-9 maybe 10 hours if you count sitting on runways; it's been about seven years since I was in Europe. I'm still taking a blood thinner for clotting and I just don't long flights. From what I understand you can gamble on the Queen Mary and do a fair amount of relaxing..

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Big Shurl

I think I've had too much quantitive easing on my mind; uh I mean dilution on my mind . Yes the ship, and last time I flew from Philly to Paris it was like 8-9 maybe 10 hours if you count sitting on runways; it's been about seven years since I was in Europe. I'm still taking a blood thinner for clotting and I just don't long flights. From what I understand you can gamble on the Queen Mary and do a fair amount of relaxing..

I understand. I've thought about taking that route... flying one way, cursing back but never had the chance.

[Eeyore]

Originally Posted by rr-nyc

The Euro is a bargain compared to the exchange rates of the past so you can get a very good deal especially if you get the VAT refund. Some will give you an instant credit and others you have to wait until you're leaving while other stores don't participate at all. Make sure the store you purchase from participates because not all do.

Will it pay for your vacation? It depends on how much you spend.

Back in the days before the Euro it certainly would.

Switzerland is not a member of the Eurozone and still has the Swiss Franc (CHF). I don't know how Rolex pricing works in Europe but I would have thought that by now the decline of the Euro against the CHF must have led to higher prices for Rolex in Eurozone countries.

Maybe look at a Lange instead....!

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Eeyore

Switzerland is not a member of the Eurozone and still has the Swiss Franc (CHF). I don't know how Rolex pricing works in Europe but I would have thought that by now the decline of the Euro against the CHF must have led to higher prices for Rolex in Eurozone countries.

Maybe look at a Lange instead....!

I definitely knew that but had Italy in my head while I typed

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Big Shurl

The dollar has seen a comeback as of late. I've had my eyes on the white gold Day-Date II for a few months now. I'm wondering if the trip to Switzerland or Hong Kong would pay for itself these days. Do you have to pay VAT if a watch is purchased in Switzerland? Are there any savings to be had in any markets right now? I'm figuring if I could save 15% somewhere my wife and I might as well let the savings pay for a bit of a trip. Anyone have any recent experience?

Everytime I get a watch in the Cayman's it is 20% off and no tax if that helps? So would certainly cover a cruise!!