Rolex Shopping at LHR

[No SUBctitute]

I will be flying in and out of LHR Terminal 3, departing the Schengen Zone on my flight leaving Heathrow.

If I go into the Watches of Switzerland in Terminal 3, do they have both Rolex and Tudor there?

If I am looking for a particular model, will the Terminal 3 shop call shops in the other terminals and bring it to Terminal 3 if they have what I want?

Also, in Amsterdam and Paris, the Rolex ADs don't let you keep the entire VAT.

For example, I saw a DJ41 smooth bezel in Paris. The departing Schengen Zone price I was told was just over $7,000.

But the MSRP in France is 6850 Euros, or 5708 Euros without any VAT. This is about $6,500. This is what the price should be for someone leaving Schengen and not paying VAT, so I'm not sure why I was quoted $7,000. Other than the shop keeps some fees as does Schipol. Thoughts?

[BrazenC5]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

I will be flying in and out of LHR Terminal 3, departing the Schengen Zone on my flight leaving Heathrow.

If I go into the Watches of Switzerland in Terminal 3, do they have both Rolex and Tudor there?

If I am looking for a particular model, will the Terminal 3 shop call shops in the other terminals and bring it to Terminal 3 if they have what I want?

Also, in Amsterdam and Paris, the Rolex ADs don't let you keep the entire VAT.

For example, I saw a DJ41 smooth bezel in Paris. The departing Schengen Zone price I was told was just over $7,000.

But the MSRP in France is 6850 Euros, or 5708 Euros without any VAT. This is about $6,500. This is what the price should be for someone leaving Schengen and not paying VAT, so I'm not sure why I was quoted $7,000. Other than the shop keeps some fees as does Schipol. Thoughts?

I'll be leaving from T3 today back to LAX! Maybe I'll run into you.

[Jsimon]

Yes they have Rolex and Tudor.

If you don’t want a SS sports watch you can call them before and ask them to get the watch in but this may vary given the shortage of watches.

My sub was at MSRP.

Not sure about the VAT, but if you call they’ll tell you, think it’s bit lower than full rebate 15% or so. Also you need to fly outside of Europe which looks like you’ll be doing.

[Amazing]

I was there last week. There was a really limited show. Only milgauss and YM2 available. They had lots of 36mm DJs but I don't think they had any 41mm. No OP 39s either.

As for Tudor, they had a pretty good showing but no BBGMT or BB58 (said they haven't even seen them yet)

[RoRoRo]

It’s full VAT exempt at LHR if you are flying out of the EU, this applies to Rolex. Some people get confused with the VAT price.

Remember you are paying a net price before VAT is added, so you divide the RRP by 1.2.

This is not the same as a 20% discount.

e.g. £120 gross with 20% VAT off is £100
e.g.2. £120 gross with 20% discount is £96.

Some people assume that they should be in example 2, but not the case.

Get the RRP from Rolex UK site, divide by 1.2 and that’s your price. You can phone in advance to check availability of models.

[tyler1980]

Originally Posted by RoRoRo

It’s full VAT exempt at LHR if you are flying out of the EU, this applies to Rolex. Some people get confused with the VAT price.

Remember you are paying a net price before VAT is added, so you divide the RRP by 1.2.

This is not the same as a 20% discount.

e.g. £120 gross with 20% VAT off is £100
e.g.2. £120 gross with 20% discount is £96.

Some people assume that they should be in example 2, but not the case.

Get the RRP from Rolex UK site, divide by 1.2 and that’s your price. You can phone in advance to check availability of models.

AKAIK airport price isnt full 20% off though... IE with the vat completely backed out. Its like retail minus about 17%. Paying retail is retail though if you buy a Rolex and fly to Brussels....but VAT free for ex EU or for flying within the EU (basically a discount and its VAT free equivalent) minus Rolex and Tudor which do not qualify for this are also the same price.

Maybe its like example 1 but on the surface it seemed like they didn't do the full amount for whatever reason (processing fee, airport fee, etc)

[OJONES]

Originally Posted by tyler1980

AKAIK airport price isnt full 20% off though... IE with the vat completely backed out. Its like retail minus about 17%. Paying retail is retail though if you buy a Rolex and fly to Brussels....but VAT free for ex EU or for flying within the EU (basically a discount and its VAT free equivalent) minus Rolex and Tudor which do not qualify for this are also the same price.

Maybe its like example 1 but on the surface it seemed like they didn't do the full amount for whatever reason (processing fee, airport fee, etc)

That’s what he’s saying. 20 pounds (20% tax) off is 16.66667 (about 17%) off the price of 120.

[Benjo74]

It’s simple mathematics. Just think it through for a minute, you’ll get it in the end.


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[haberdashery]

I was there a couple weeks ago and there was nothing of interest. I was in the shop less than 5 minutes and in that time 10+ people came in asking about stainless models. I think you'd have to be incredibly lucky to buy anything worthwhile in there.

With regards to price, as RoRoRo said, go on the UK Rolex site and divide the RRP by 1.2. That's what the sales assistants were doing on their phones in there when they couldn't be bothered getting a watch from the case or out of the back.

[scooba]

VAT Refund is 16.8% off purchase price this is correct

[Clasper]

The best deal I seen there was a SS Yachtmaster II VAT free (in December 2017), roughly £11k. But I've never seen one of the nicer SS models yet, luck of the draw though they may just happen to get a Daytona Ceramic, or Blue SS Skydweller as you walk past

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by OJONES

That’s what he’s saying. 20 pounds (20% tax) off is 16.66667 (about 17%) off the price of 120.

This

DJ41 smooth on oyster is £5,450 inclusive of 20% VAT

That's £ net plus £908.33 VAT (20% of £4,541.67)

The £908.33 discount you get for the VAT free price is 16.666%

Its a common (and understandable) mistake to think the discount is 20%.

In dollars (for the OP) at today's exchange rate

Retail $6,926.62

VAT $1,154.43

VAT free price $5,772.19

US MSRP is $7,450

A quick bit of advice for anyone from the US buying in the UK - unless your bank hits you with significant foreign currency transaction fees, buy the watch in local currency, not dollars. You'll get a much better deal on the exchange rate than the shop will give you when it converts. I always purchase abroad in the local currency even when the offer is there to pay in sterling.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

I'm not sure why I was quoted $7,000. Other than the shop keeps some fees as does Schipol. Thoughts?

The shop is giving you a terrible exchange rate (with fees included)

[DP63]

I enquired about an OP39 from Paris CDG in April, and the supposed tax discounted price (flying to Africa) was almost identical to what I eventually paid at my AD in the UK before I left.

My advice is do your homework (call etc) before buying in "some" airport dealers as I've experianced overly inflated prices for even easy to aquire watches.

[Shakini]

T5 had nothing but DDs and DJs two weeks back. When I asked about a Sub, the guy just smiled and said they hadn't seen any SS sports models this year.

[ROLEXUS]

The tax free prices at LHR are basically the cheapest retail prices you will currently pay anywhere in the world. That is for watches and any other luxury items where global pricing is monitored (bags etc) Understandably, they have very limited stock..

[BrazenC5]

Currently at LHR T3 and they have a nice WG Ann. Day Date...i probably Would've gone for it if it was RG, but he said 5 people before me also asked for RG.

They also have a RG Daytona.

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[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

Currently at LHR T3 and they have a nice WG Ann. Day Date...i probably Would've gone for it if it was RG

Does the airport discount PM references? If not, then buying at a discount in the US might be same or less than paying MSRP at LHR?

Originally Posted by ROLEXUS

The tax free prices at LHR are basically the cheapest retail prices you will currently pay anywhere in the world. That is for watches and any other luxury items where global pricing is monitored (bags etc) Understandably, they have very limited stock..

Good point. I guess everyone else is buying, too, since its so cheap!

Originally Posted by Shakini

T5 had nothing but DDs and DJs two weeks back. When I asked about a Sub, the guy just smiled and said they hadn't seen any SS sports models this year.

Thanks for the insight! He hadn't seen any all year? Yikes!

Originally Posted by DP63

I enquired about an OP39 from Paris CDG in April, and the supposed tax discounted price (flying to Africa) was almost identical to what I eventually paid at my AD in the UK before I left.

My advice is do your homework (call etc) before buying in "some" airport dealers as I've experianced overly inflated prices for even easy to aquire watches.

Yes, I have experienced that at Schipol and CDG.

Originally Posted by Devildog

The shop is giving you a terrible exchange rate (with fees included)

Ah! I should have asked for price in Euros at CDG. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Devildog

This DJ41 smooth on oyster is £5,450 inclusive of 20% VAT
That's £ net plus £908.33 VAT (20% of £4,541.67)
The £908.33 discount you get for the VAT free price is 16.666%
Its a common (and understandable) mistake to think the discount is 20%.
In dollars (for the OP) at today's exchange rate
Retail $6,926.62
VAT $1,154.43
VAT free price $5,772.19
US MSRP is $7,450

A quick bit of advice for anyone from the US buying in the UK - unless your bank hits you with significant foreign currency transaction fees, buy the watch in local currency, not dollars. You'll get a much better deal on the exchange rate than the shop will give you when it converts. I always purchase abroad in the local currency even when the offer is there to pay in sterling.

Thanks for doing the math on the DJ41 smooth oyster. And good advice on purchasing in local currency.

Originally Posted by haberdashery

I was there a couple weeks ago and there was nothing of interest. I was in the shop less than 5 minutes and in that time 10+ people came in asking about stainless models. I think you'd have to be incredibly lucky to buy anything worthwhile in there.

Wow! That's crazy. I am hoping for luck. Otherwise, maybe try to order a DJ41.

Originally Posted by BrazenC5

I'll be leaving from T3 today back to LAX! Maybe I'll run into you.

Sorry, I didn't mean to imply I was there that day. This is in more than a week.

Originally Posted by Jsimon

Yes they have Rolex and Tudor.
If you don’t want a SS sports watch you can call them before and ask them to get the watch in but this may vary given the shortage of watches.

I didn't know you could do that. Thanks for letting me know!

Originally Posted by Amazing

I was there last week. There was a really limited show. Only milgauss and YM2 available. They had lots of 36mm DJs but I don't think they had any 41mm. No OP 39s either.

As for Tudor, they had a pretty good showing but no BBGMT or BB58 (said they haven't even seen them yet)

Thanks for the insight on what they had!

Originally Posted by RoRoRo

It’s full VAT exempt at LHR if you are flying out of the EU

Get the RRP from Rolex UK site, divide by 1.2 and that’s your price. You can phone in advance to check availability of models.

Yes, I'm definitely tracking that subtracting the 20% VAT from RRP is only about a 17% discount.

Unfortunately, some airports, like Schipol, as you are departing the EU, actually charge a fee to sell you the watch without any VAT.

Originally Posted by Clasper

The best deal I seen there was a SS Yachtmaster II VAT free (in December 2017), roughly £11k. But I've never seen one of the nicer SS models yet, luck of the draw though they may just happen to get a Daytona Ceramic, or Blue SS Skydweller as you walk past

Oh, wow. So I can forget about my dream list of watches! Did they at least have an Explorer II??? :-) Probably the most accessible of the SS sports models.

[Doozer]

I was in the London last week. One of the other WOS locations in London told me that the location at LHR would no longer be supplied with SS Sport Models since the airport location is very expensive for them to maintain. Not sure the validity of this, but that is what I was told.

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[Jsimon]

Originally Posted by Shakini

T5 had nothing but DDs and DJs two weeks back. When I asked about a Sub, the guy just smiled and said they hadn't seen any SS sports models this year.

That’s a lie (unless they personally hadn’t seen one) as my wife got me this in May, however they acted like we had won the lottery. I would’ve felt the same if she wasn’t flying to Paris as no Vat relief. Nonetheless I’m very happy chappy - it was only in the shop for 20 mins and she was the second person to ask about it.

[DP63]

Originally Posted by Jsimon

That’s a lie (unless they personally hadn’t seen one) as my wife got me this in May, however they acted like we had won the lottery. I would’ve felt the same if she wasn’t flying to Paris as no Vat relief. Nonetheless I’m very happy chappy - it was only in the shop for 20 mins and she was the second person to ask about it.

Your wife is a keeper .... I'd be ecstatic.

Those price tags hurt to look at compared with the current prices I've seen for pre-owned, let alone "new with tags" ... with or without tax ... superb watch for the money.

Congratulations.

[Sarosh]

As most have said LHR is literally your luck on the day. Even some of the blue dial DJ can be abit elusive there. My brother in law was offered a LVc 1 year ago. He got there at the right time. But he didn’t pull the trigger. He told me this after he had reached home at the other end! I wanted to slap him silly through the phone!!!! Oh well someone else got lucky that day!

[Jsimon]

Originally Posted by DP63

Your wife is a keeper .... I'd be ecstatic.



Those price tags hurt to look at compared with the current prices I've seen for pre-owned, let alone "new with tags" ... with or without tax ... superb watch for the money.



Congratulations.

Yes it is luck. The store assistant is waiting on a hulk for two years but has been off the days it’s come in.

I was very chuffed - all tags and protective plastic. No bezel protector though :(

[No SUBctitute]

Originally Posted by Sarosh

As most have said LHR is literally your luck on the day. Even some of the blue dial DJ can be abit elusive there.

Interesting. I wonder if a blue dial DJ41 can be ordered in advance for pickup at LHR when traveling through.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by Shakini

T5 had nothing but DDs and DJs two weeks back. When I asked about a Sub, the guy just smiled and said they hadn't seen any SS sports models this year.

Hes lying because i got a sub date there this year

[Watchdaytona]

I was told by a salesperson at LHR that the watch shops at LHR are run by a rather large conglomerate that owns a chain of watch shops that stock Rolex around the UK. The salesperson mentioned their head office sends all the stainless Rolexes to their other stores for regular clients and does not direct them to LHR anymore. So you may as well give up finding a stainless, sub, gmt, SD or Daytona at Heathrow. I've stopped asking now, must be tedious for the salespeople.

[cdbeaver66]

I have purchased my Rolex GMT, Ranger and Pelagos LHD from WoS Heathrow. I got lucky with the GMT!! With the Ranger they did not have it in the T5 store so rang another terminal store and got it send over within 30 minutes. The Pelagos was on display to purchase. With Tudor and some other brands (not Rolex) you can reserve watches, through the Heathrow Shopping website, with a small discount and collect on your way through.

[sparks]

I was also told this when l picked up my DSSD-Blue in May from a London WOS.

[No SUBctitute]

On the Heathrow Boutique site you can buy some Tudor for pickup at the store later in the airport.

1st question: is this for all passengers? At one place it says it is. Another place it says, "Heathrow’s Shop & Collect service is currently only available to passengers travelling within the E.U. and UK." Meaning if you are transiting LHR on you way to the US you can't order in advance and pickup at LHR?

2nd question: It isn't clear if the displayed prices are with or without VAT.

Grateful to anyone who knows these answers! :-)

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by No SUBctitute

On the Heathrow Boutique site you can buy some Tudor for pickup at the store later in the airport.

1st question: is this for all passengers? At one place it says it is. Another place it says, "Heathrow’s Shop & Collect service is currently only available to passengers travelling within the E.U. and UK." Meaning if you are transiting LHR on you way to the US you can't order in advance and pickup at LHR?

2nd question: It isn't clear if the displayed prices are with or without VAT.

Grateful to anyone who knows these answers! :-)

It sounds like the pre-ordering service is including vat. Why not phone them?