Sorry to bring this back to life, but I have a question where I think you experts in the Rolex world could help me!

I'm about to buy my first Rolex. Always had Breitling. And my question is:

Buy it in London, with pounds I have already there, and claim the VAT back?
or....Bring the pounds and buy it here?

What will be cheaper?

I'm between these 3 simple models:
http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...r-m116234-0032

or
http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...r-m116264-0009

or
http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...l-m115210-0003

Thanks in advance!

I wouldn't presume to tell you what would be the best watch for you. Each to their own as it were. I got my first Rolex a few months ago and and still very happy with it.
The one thing I would say is check the availability of the watches. I had to wait a few months for my 2010 model to arrive. That may decide whether to order it here or not.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing what you get,

I got mine about 10 years ago now, it's most like the first one on your list, simple and understated. The only problem with rolex is everyone will ask you if it's fake

Personally I like the look of the Oyster Perpetual Date watch BUT it is your watch, you will be wearing it and looking at it so you need to decide which one you like the best. Good luck with the tough decision.

As said before, it is your watch, only you can feel harmony with it, every person have his own taste specially in watches.

Personal preference as a classic Rolex for me is: http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...m116400gv-0001

Agree with Kai pai, 3rd one is the nicest ... a no-no is Mowvich option

You don't know really know what is "Milgauss" until you try it on, i'm so against colors on dials and never like the "Milgauss" but when i tried it, i loved it, this one is so elegantly made

...and where you've parked the 3 series.

Of course! Women know a thing or two about sparkly shiny objects

try another brand like IWC.
Rolex is so conventional and you'll be always "yet another guy with a rolex".

A lot depends on your wrist size. The standard Datejust is 36 mm. The Date model you chose is 34 mm. There is also a Datejust II that is 41 mm (link: http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watches/datejust/datejustii-41mm-rolesor-m116334-0001 ). This watch is more or less the same size as the Professional models such as the Submariner.

If you have a regular wrist size go with the 36 mm. If you are big go with the D-J II. If you have smaller wrists, go with the 34 mm date.

Keep in mind that there are 20+ regular dials/faces (index, Roman numerals, Arabic numerals etc. in different colours) available for each of these models. A different dial will create a very different look.

The Date model only comes with the Oyster bracelet as shown (from memory) while the Datejust models come with either the Jubilee bracelet (as shown) or with the Oyster bracelet.

In any event, you will want to go to a retailer who has a large selection so you can see the same model with different dials.

Based on your choice of model, you should be able to get the CH and UK price and do your calculation from there. When importing the watch into CH you will need to pay the VAT (8% as of Jan 1.) and a small % duty.

Happy shopping.

If you can afford the Rolex, I would hope you have enough kudos to also be able to chose one for yourself ...

I should add that the first two models you selected are steel and white gold. The third one is stainless steel only. There will be a difference in price that might impact on your decision.

If you are looking for a 36 mm Datejust model in stainless steel only, you could look at this one. My preference is with a Oyster bracelet (not shown) which I think works much better with the smooth bezel. Remember, you can have many different dials. My favorite on this model is a steel Roman numeral dial. Very clean.

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watch...l-m116200-0011

Can I just ask your max budget and if you're open to suggestions from other watch manufacturers. There's a big wide world out there.

M-Budget does a mean Rolex.

Jokes aside, OP...how do you expect us to decide on which iteam would be best suitable for you?

Thanks for all the comments, but the real question was if buying it in the UK or here. I know that we all have a different taste

I'm just looking at prices and it's not easy to find the official price list in pounds and sFr.

Any idea about airport stores? I'll be in London heathrow and JFK the next week. Is there a nice discount or just the usual std price?

The one I like the most is the Datejust with the black dial, the oyster armband and the steel and white gold case.

I think I saw it in Bahnhofstrs at 8300CHF, which is much more than the 6800$ in the US for example.

Thanks you guys

Budget 4K-5K GBP. (I have some savings in the UK that are just getting dust at the bank with the actual saving rates, so I decided to invest in me!)

Other brands that I've looked are Breitling, IWC and Omega (in Omega I have a good friend which is the brand director in another country and could get me a good discount, but I do not like them as much as Rolex)

I was just sharing which ones I like, but the question was before. Maybe I've not formulated the question right...

Buying in the UK or bringing the GBPs here and buy it here?

Search the forum Luke

personally i like the 3rd one.. definately buy in the UK with the exchange rate... and bring the cash in to see if you can wangle a discount..