Is Greece a good place to buy Rolex?

[Zoolantz]

Going on an Eastern Mediterranean cruise next week. There are at least 7 ADs just in Athens. Wonder if I can get lucky.


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[Old Expat Beast]

Maybe, but I wouldn't waste a few precious hours in Athens looking for a Rolex, unless perhaps you've been there a few times before.

[SLWoodster]

Greece is one of the places that reportedly sells above retail price.

[Onikage]

If you intend to visit all 7 you sir are a WIS. One for the 'you know you're a wis when..' thread.

[Soultime]

I would imagine any stock of sought after models are reserved for repeat customers who come in regularly and speak the language.

I think the market targeting cruise ship passengers (visiting for a few hours) is quayside bars and restaurants and souvenir shops.
Not Rolex dealers.

[Andad]

Buying in Greece would be like buying grey.

[996marty]

I’d think you’d possibly have less of a chance of getting one overseas than in your own country. I’m sure the local AD’s will look after their local clients.
I’d say enjoy the holidays and if you do get lucky even better

[Moondoggy]

No chance, but cigarettes are a plenty.

[Nairn1980]

Maybe a two tone datejust

[scooba]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

Greece is one of the places that reportedly sells above retail price.

X2
The guy said no price is too high for a friend

[Divingdeep87]

Greece is the nr 1 supplier to grey dealers in Europe together with Pere Quera Rolex shops in Spain. lol.

[DOUBLE 0 SE7EN]

I was at Thessaloniki last week.. went to the ad and there were no steel models .. told them I could pay a little more if they have but they said they only had a few two tone models..

[JSCP]

We should have a Forum with just “Rolexcation” , where you spend all your precious gm family vacation going from AD to AD in the hope of at least being offered a Polar or a NIB discontinued Milgauss.

[Zoolantz]

Thanks everybody! I guess if I treat these ADs as grey market dealers then I might be able to buy something I really want for more than retail but less than grey.


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[gates]

Naw - the Grays and Chinese ruined it for travelers, the above posters are right, they sell to Grays first and locals second, Ive tried this in numerous countries over the last 5 yrs - ZERO luck and a waste of family vacation time.

[Calatrava r]

See the sights and forget the watch stores. Enjoy the trip.

[joli160]

Why do you think they would sell to you ?

Being a foreigner means no repeat business.

North American equals Amex credit card equals highest fees of min 3% if they are even willing to accept it all.

The locals will be much more experienced in haggling than you and understanding the real concept of one hand washes the other.

Forget about it

[ELee]

Not a rolex, but I bought a panerai at the boutique in Santorini last year. They gave me 24% vat discount. No rolexes available at the few places I checked.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by joli160

Why do you think they would sell to you ?

Being a foreigner means no repeat business.

North American equals Amex credit card equals highest fees of min 3% if they are even willing to accept it all.

The locals will be much more experienced in haggling than you and understanding the real concept of one hand washes the other.

Forget about it

Good answer. I’m always amazed by people thinking they have a better chance of buying a brand new Rolex at an AD, in a foreign country, than at home. It makes no sense!

Kat


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[Masteryacht]

I went to the AD in Santorini last year and they didn’t have a single watch for sale.

[Brian Page]

If you do find something be sure to buy a lotto ticket that day as well

[brandrea]

I doubt you’ll have much luck.

When I visit Greece, watches are the last thing on my mind

[Mrngrz46]

No. One of the last place where to buy

[dlddrrr]

I’m going there next month, I’ll tell you what the situation is once I’m back, but I’m not holding my breath on scoring any SS or sports pieces.

[KatGirl]

We’ve had this same question before from people traveling for vacation. Why do people think they will have better luck scoring a brand new Rolex, in a foreign country, than at home. The ADs here don’t even like to sell to folks from out of state. I imagine it’s exactly the same in other countries.

Kat


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[vipereaper30]

One of my favorite Rolex watches that I'll never part with was purchased in Cyprus. So it can be done!

[messikens]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

One of my favorite Rolex watches that I'll never part with was purchased in Cyprus. So it can be done!

Please elaborate on the type of watch(TT perhaps?) and time bought (I assume prior to 2017...)

[vipereaper30]

Originally Posted by messikens

Please elaborate on the type of watch(TT perhaps?) and time bought (I assume prior to 2017...)

Busted. Hulk purchased in '17!

[Zoolantz]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

One of my favorite Rolex watches that I'll never part with was purchased in Cyprus. So it can be done!

Hooray! So there IS hope


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[jlovda]

Originally Posted by vipereaper30

Busted. Hulk purchased in '17!

I went on cruise in Norway in 2018. Walked into the AD in Bergen and there was a wall display with more than ten SS OP and DJ's with a black 216570 and green Milgauss hiding in the middle. I bought the Exp II. Went back in 2022 thinking I would have the advantage of being a repeat customer. They wouldn't give me the time of day (LOL). At least they were the only AD in town and were only a hundred yards from our hotel so I didn't waste any time.