hello people from the US/ Los Angeles!

i want to buy a watch IWC mark midsize XVI. i can buy it from a collector in CH (watch is 2006 model and "sold out") 4500,- CHF or order it in the US, Los Angeles

here
http://www.ultrawatches.com/Departments/IWC.aspx
for 2800 USD !!!

what i found so far ist, that this dealer operates since 1990
it looks like they have a store

http://maps.google.ch/maps?q=550+Sou...B-3U3nN-oD9D0g


so my questions is (besides to make sure beforehand i dont buy a chinese fake, but here i am in contact with some collectors) what can i do to get more information about that dealer? i googled them, found some positive comments somewhere, but is there any registry that i can check online like we have here in CH www.moneyhouse.ch ?



if i get that watch, how is it with the VAT? the US will not charge me but i have to pay 8% CH import tax?


if so, still a massive bargain contra the risk....


thx for your replies!

Does IWC license its dealers? My thoughts are to ask the LA dealer for the S/N of the watch (if it has one) and contact IWC directly to determine if the retailer and the watch are legit. Barring a S/N, ask IWC about specific manufacturer marks the watch would have (to protect against counterfeiting).

As far as the VAT, and I'm not advocating doing anything to avoid legal tax obligations, but if you're in the US when you get the watch, and you just wear it back on your wrist, do you still have to pay VAT?

I can't help too much, other than that address location, is a large building with many independent diamond and jewellery merchants in small suites.

As it's known for this, I would like to think that the dealers and merchants are bona fide.

I bought a mounted diamond for my wife's engagement ring from a diamond dealer, in the same building - but I was there in person.

Not prejudice in any way, and probably nature of the business, but I did notice that many of the jewellery merchants were of immigrant origin - just an observation.

thanks! the Jobsrobertsharpii method is best! amazing, never thought about that?! thats it!
thanks tim for the reply concerning the address!!

As mentioned here: Postman Fee for Import goods?

... there is more at risk if you don't declare the correct contents and value properly. The people at the customs department are not dumb, and if you purchase the watch at a reduced price, import it with false details, they will charge you for the retail price! Have insider contacts that inform me of this. Believe me, it is not worth it to save a few hundred Franks - if you get caught, it will cost you much more!

If you wear the watch coming back, OK. You may get away with it. The Zoll/Customs officers CAN ask for a receipt or proof of purchase. I carry a copy of all receipts of any high-value items I carry when traveling.

The catch here, is if you purchase it in the states, you (AFAIK) must pay the local sales tax or do the paperwork to claim the tax back when departing the US... keep one thing in mind... the agencies talk to each other, they have your name and address. Possibly the Zoll/Swiss Customs will be watching for you or pay you a visit after your return. It has happened in the past! Just isn't worth it - but that is your decision.

As for the company, are there others in the net that have purchased from the company? Maybe a forum where the company is mentioned? Do the Google thing and see what kind of experience you can find.

If you question the authenticity, which is understandable... you can obtain a local specialist to appraise the watch for you. Costs are involved, which may be worth the efforts and cost for your sanity

Generally, you cannot claim US sales tax back [Louisiana, Texas are the ones you can off the top of my head - definitely not California]

OP - don't forget sales tax in your calculations - it's 9.0% in Los Angeles.

IWC's, like many premium watches, require periodic servicing. Have you considered that aspect?

Nominally every five years, but it depends on the watch. At some point, they normally start running slow which is a sign that they will need a service. This might happen after five years, it might happen after ten, its hard to say. But if you are buying a watch from 2006 it is definitely a factor.

The service is a fairly in depth thing. The watch gets sent back to IWC, it takes more than a month, and you will might get a bill for chf 1000 or more.

Also, IWC straps can be expensive. If you are buying an old watch, this is something to be aware of too. Replacement metal straps for IWCs cost about chf 1500. Plastic ones around chf 250. I am not sure about the leather.

If you genuinely want to join the IWC club, maybe all these aspects raised in this thread might make you reconsider?

How much is the watch new from Bucherer or IWC on bahnhofstrasse? At least there, you will have peace of mind and get a complimentary coffee, glass of champagne, and the knowledge that when if something goes wrong, they are right there and they are professional and will look after you.

Naturally, that is for a new watch only. If you do want to buy second hand, then just bear in mind the service and strap.

Personally I couldnt buy such an item without examining it and trying it on first. If you do go to LA, I can recommend you a nice hotel.

Most IWC dealers in Switzerland will offer you a discount, around 10%. Other option is to buy in the € zone, reclaim the Vat and then pay the Swiss vat upon import.

i checked with watchlounge forum and so far they said:
the price is too low, the dealer is not known, but the address is ok. the website is hosted by some dodgy webhost... all indicates it is a fake, high risk buying a replica. i have a mate who could check in LA directly, but he has little idea like me about fake or replica.

a decent resource to check is chrono24.com (trusted shops, many transactions and reviews, clear addresses and all) and there she goes at 3500 USD = 3100 CHF. with CH-VAT it is 3500 CHF = 1000 CHF cheaper than the source i have. the dad of very good friend of mine is a watch collector and he sourced the watch brand new, i had her in my hands already! (drools) but as i said 4500chf, which is the original price. this model is sought after, no discounts possible. if id buy the mark mid IVII (2012) that is now at Bucher for 4800 CHF, i get a discount lowering it to 3900 CHF.

BUT: the spoiler is the date! these rotating 3 numbers visible on the clocks face look shite, ruins the whole thing! if i buy one, it will be the IVI model!
thx mr KRL for the experts info! that means i have to clarify when was the watch build? i mean, if that is the 2006 model, it is not saying that the release year is actual the manufaturing date? this has influence on service etc? the watch is in bothe cases brand new, i dont know if one of the dealers (one is a private collector) has maintained the watch... i guess not. i didnt ask for it as i dont know that this is a factor when buying.

well, i know that a croco band is about 200-300 chf, BUT I WANT LEATHER!

so even if i have a propper source i need to check: when was it build, sold? -> indicates if it has to be serviced or not, expecting costs-> 1000chf?
when ordering online in the US, no US VAT but CHF VAT has to be topped up. risk that the customs takes the original price at 4500 CHF- > 360 CHF raises the price to 3900. still 600 CHF saved. mhm, still worth it...

Also, if you are planning to buy the watch in person in the US, offer to pay cash and ask if there is a cash discount (after you are sure this is the watch you want, it is genuine, and there are no issues). Credit cards in the US charge the merchant a transaction fee (between 3-5% IIRC) that most merchants build into the prices they charge the buyer. If the merchant doesn't have to pay this fee because you pay cash, why shouldn't you ask them to reduce their price a little? In the price range you are talking about, this could amount up to around $100, so its worth considering. Of course, the downside is that you lose the protections the credit card company offers.

Have suggested a couple times... for high-end watches check out the shops @ Samnaun. Nice day trip (from ZH, ~4 hour drive for newbies, 3.5 hours if you know the road). Most shops will barter if you have cash.
JC

prob is: the model i want is not available like a lambs winks its tail!
or show me the dealer that has the mark XVI midsize in Samnaun?
im happy to go then...

Good try
Won't do your shopping for you

Can imagine though, that one or two high-end shops in Samnaun will try to get one if you have the cash ready.
JC

this is interesting. if i bought a rolex today, having won the lotto yesterday, it would need servicing to the cost of a grand plus every approx. 5 years? i didn't know that, and assumed they'd tick along nicely forever.

Unfortunately not... Many of the high-end "Jewelry" (As that's what they really are... You can get a watch that keeps better time for 20CHF) watches are mechanical with lots of complications and moving parts that slowly work their way out of sync in the course of simple day-to-day activities. Also, most high-end watchmakers will replace waterproofing seals, disassemble and clean all the cracks and crevices (you'd be surprised how quickly dirt and skin and more get into all the little places on your watch, especially if it has a metal bracelet), and then give it a polishing to remove any minor scratches and abrasions. After all this, they'll test it, inspect it, and some will re-certify it for some time more.

ok, i wrote to one of the shops...lets see...

I bought an Omega from these guys a few years ago.. recommended

http://www.ashford.com/index.jsp

this eshop has not the watch i want. wrote 2 shops in samnaun. guess what? not available either.

Hmmmm... did you ask if they could arrange to have one delivered for you?

On the other side, if you want that exact model that bad... go to LA yourself... or wherever one of these gems are. But to buy blind, I think you are smarter than that

Or, accept a model that is readily available.
JC

been to the brand new iwc flagship store... marvellous and stylish. they have a mark xvi but with the silver brushed clockface. but: they offered to change it to a black one! massive! cock-up that they charge 5k instead the offered 4.5k. now i need to check if the watch of my mates collector got serviced as the one at IWC is serviced.
checked the prices. small one is 150, big one 580 chf. hefty but ok. mh... decisions, decisions, decisions...