Buying expensive watch on line?
#1
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Buying expensive watch on line?
I'm thinking of treating myself to a Tag Heur watch (its my 30th at the end of this month ).
High street places such as Goldsmiths have it for £1,595 (ish) but looking on line I could get it for around £1,300, eg CAF2110.BA0809 - TAG Heuer Watches From Swiss Watches Direct Specialising In TAG Heuer, Omega & Breitling Watches
For all of you out there with expensive watches, have any of you ever purchased from such places or do you stick with the high street stores?
Cheers
High street places such as Goldsmiths have it for £1,595 (ish) but looking on line I could get it for around £1,300, eg CAF2110.BA0809 - TAG Heuer Watches From Swiss Watches Direct Specialising In TAG Heuer, Omega & Breitling Watches
For all of you out there with expensive watches, have any of you ever purchased from such places or do you stick with the high street stores?
Cheers
#2
You will find that the likes of Rolex and Brietling say on their website that their products are not sold on the internet and not to buy them online as they cannot guarantee they will be genuine. I wouldn't risk it, why not try and haggle with the jewellers? Are expensive watches selling well at the minute?
#3
You will find that the likes of Rolex and Brietling say on their website that their products are not sold on the internet and not to buy them online as they cannot guarantee they will be genuine. I wouldn't risk it, why not try and haggle with the jewellers? Are expensive watches selling well at the minute?
1 thing to consider when buying a Tag is wether there is a jewellers near you who can service/change batterys in store to Tag's spec. Any watch maker can change the battery but the watch will NOT be waterproof after it. £30 for a battery change and re-seal. A Tag chrono watch needs serviced every 2 years @£120. When my battery first needed changed the jewellers nearest me couldnt do it in-store so sent it to Tag, it took 3 months to get it back!
Lovely watch and you will not be dissapointed with it.
Last edited by petedotuk; 17 November 2008 at 09:51 PM.
#4
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You will find that the likes of Rolex and Brietling say on their website that their products are not sold on the internet and not to buy them online as they cannot guarantee they will be genuine. I wouldn't risk it, why not try and haggle with the jewellers? Are expensive watches selling well at the minute?
The thing is with haggling, in my local town (Ipswich), there are only a few shops that sell "expensive" watches and they all seem to be prices the same so I haven't really got much to haggle with, could be worth a try though
#5
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: Dull White BMW
Posts: 5,052
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I get my TAG battery changed at a local repairer who can only pressure test to 20Bar. As mine only sees the bottom of a swimming pool, that will do me! I think the last change cost £10 with a 20Bar test.
Steve
Steve
#6
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tag are the cheaper more fashionable sister company of Rolex. I have a Tag F1 and my wife has the Tag alter ego. I wouldnt buy on-line as it such a big risk even though the cheaper prices are very appealing.
1 thing to consider when buying a Tag is wether there is a jewellers near you who can service/change batterys in store to Tag's spec. Any watch maker can change the battery but the watch will NOT be waterproof after it. £30 for a battery change and re-seal. A Tag chrono watch needs serviced every 2 years @£120. When my battery first needed changed the jewellers nearest me couldnt do it in-store so sent it to Tag, it took 3 months to get it back!
Lovely watch and you will not be dissapointed with it.
1 thing to consider when buying a Tag is wether there is a jewellers near you who can service/change batterys in store to Tag's spec. Any watch maker can change the battery but the watch will NOT be waterproof after it. £30 for a battery change and re-seal. A Tag chrono watch needs serviced every 2 years @£120. When my battery first needed changed the jewellers nearest me couldnt do it in-store so sent it to Tag, it took 3 months to get it back!
Lovely watch and you will not be dissapointed with it.
This will be my first "expensive" watch
#7
The servicing is to ensure the inners tick at the right time and it keeps the time correctly! Just looked at your link and it does say its auto so you just need the service. Tag recommend Chrono get serviced every 2 yrs, non Chrono every 3yrs.
Have a word with the jewellers and ask how often Auto ones need serviced as it may be different.
Have a word with the jewellers and ask how often Auto ones need serviced as it may be different.
Trending Topics
#9
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Markyate.Imprezas owned:-wrx-sti5typeR-p1-uk22b-modded my00. Amongst others!
Posts: 8,541
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I got both of my Rolex watches from Goldsmiths in Leicester in person. I did look into an online purchase but TBH ruled it out in case I was sold snide goods etc.
Have a look at some Jewelry shops in the Channel Isles, might be a bit cheaper with tax etc.
Have a look at some Jewelry shops in the Channel Isles, might be a bit cheaper with tax etc.
#11
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#13
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's like finding a cocktail sausage, when what you really wanted was a rather large saveloy.
Posts: 20,535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
do you know of anyone going to the states? Fraction of the price there...
#15
If you ever goto to Disney Flaorida there is Tag outlet store near it.
#16
#17
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's like finding a cocktail sausage, when what you really wanted was a rather large saveloy.
Posts: 20,535
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
sounds like the place my one came from
#18
Scooby Regular
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Suffolk
Posts: 1,822
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm really not worried about a few seconds.
No one I know going to the US, neither am I unfortunately. Mind you not sure I would buy one over there, should something go wrong with it etc probably be a pain in the **** to get sorted.
Looks like I will have to try some haggling in Goldsmiths then, don’t fancy my chances though but as already mentioned they probably ain't selling many at the moment so might be glad of a sale
One other question, do any of you take out some sort of insurance with such watches?
#19
Blimey, I bought my Tag in 1997 and it's only ever had one service in 2001 (about £75, think it had a new battery too)
I've never bothered since and it still keeps perfect time.
I've never bothered since and it still keeps perfect time.
Last edited by zip106; 17 November 2008 at 11:11 PM. Reason: just checked purchase date
#20
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Swilling coffee at my lab bench
Posts: 9,096
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you know what you want, just pick up the phone and call round a few authorised dealers - all you need to do is ask "I'm interested in buying a Tag model xxxxxxx, what's the best price you can do for me?".
Some may well quote the full RRP, in which case you can safely ignore them, but it's not as though Tag dealers are few and far between. Watches are high margin products, so don't let them kid you that they're struggling to knock off a few %.
The watch you're looking at is an automatic, so no battery to change, but it will need servicing. Some people get theirs serviced every few years on schedule, but there is a school of thought that says there's no point getting it serviced until it stops keeping time accurately. A watch service isn't like a car service where you're changing inexpensive parts to prolong the life of the expensive bits - it's a complete strip and rebuild every time.
Some may well quote the full RRP, in which case you can safely ignore them, but it's not as though Tag dealers are few and far between. Watches are high margin products, so don't let them kid you that they're struggling to knock off a few %.
The watch you're looking at is an automatic, so no battery to change, but it will need servicing. Some people get theirs serviced every few years on schedule, but there is a school of thought that says there's no point getting it serviced until it stops keeping time accurately. A watch service isn't like a car service where you're changing inexpensive parts to prolong the life of the expensive bits - it's a complete strip and rebuild every time.
#21
Very good point
I'm really not worried about a few seconds.
No one I know going to the US, neither am I unfortunately. Mind you not sure I would buy one over there, should something go wrong with it etc probably be a pain in the **** to get sorted.
Looks like I will have to try some haggling in Goldsmiths then, don’t fancy my chances though but as already mentioned they probably ain't selling many at the moment so might be glad of a sale
One other question, do any of you take out some sort of insurance with such watches?
I'm really not worried about a few seconds.
No one I know going to the US, neither am I unfortunately. Mind you not sure I would buy one over there, should something go wrong with it etc probably be a pain in the **** to get sorted.
Looks like I will have to try some haggling in Goldsmiths then, don’t fancy my chances though but as already mentioned they probably ain't selling many at the moment so might be glad of a sale
One other question, do any of you take out some sort of insurance with such watches?
#22
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oldham
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
??????????????
Are you sure about that?
Tag Heuer are owned by LMVH (LVMH group, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton: world leader in luxury, listed on CAC 40 index.) who are a massive luxury items company who also own (Deep breath!!)
Moet&chandon,Loewe,LuisVuitton,DonnaKaran,Hennessy ,Glenmorangie,Kenzo,VeuveCliquot,Krug,Hublot,DiorW atches Etc Etc Etc.
I'm pretty certain that they have nothing at all to do with Rolex. . . .
Are you sure about that?
Tag Heuer are owned by LMVH (LVMH group, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton: world leader in luxury, listed on CAC 40 index.) who are a massive luxury items company who also own (Deep breath!!)
Moet&chandon,Loewe,LuisVuitton,DonnaKaran,Hennessy ,Glenmorangie,Kenzo,VeuveCliquot,Krug,Hublot,DiorW atches Etc Etc Etc.
I'm pretty certain that they have nothing at all to do with Rolex. . . .
#23
Scooby Regular
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Oldham
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
https://www.scoobynet.com/member.php?u=36489
Use that link and PM him.
I own 3 Tag's (And my wife has one) and we've been extremely hppy with them.
#24
BANNED
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Your home is worthless.You can't afford to run your car.Your job is on the line.Schadenfreude rules.
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#26
BANNED
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Your home is worthless.You can't afford to run your car.Your job is on the line.Schadenfreude rules.
Posts: 4,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#27
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Mars
Posts: 11,470
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#28
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Far Corfe
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Tag are the cheaper more fashionable sister company of Rolex. I have a Tag F1 and my wife has the Tag alter ego. I wouldnt buy on-line as it such a big risk even though the cheaper prices are very appealing.
1 thing to consider when buying a Tag is wether there is a jewellers near you who can service/change batterys in store to Tag's spec. Any watch maker can change the battery but the watch will NOT be waterproof after it. £30 for a battery change and re-seal. A Tag chrono watch needs serviced every 2 years @£120. When my battery first needed changed the jewellers nearest me couldnt do it in-store so sent it to Tag, it took 3 months to get it back!
Lovely watch and you will not be dissapointed with it.
1 thing to consider when buying a Tag is wether there is a jewellers near you who can service/change batterys in store to Tag's spec. Any watch maker can change the battery but the watch will NOT be waterproof after it. £30 for a battery change and re-seal. A Tag chrono watch needs serviced every 2 years @£120. When my battery first needed changed the jewellers nearest me couldnt do it in-store so sent it to Tag, it took 3 months to get it back!
Lovely watch and you will not be dissapointed with it.
#29
Scooby Regular
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Far Corfe
Posts: 3,618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you can afford a little more, I have a colleague who wishes to sell his unmarked GMTII (fully Rolex serviced), as his six year wait for a Daytona has ended....
#30
??????????????
Are you sure about that?
Tag Heuer are owned by LMVH (LVMH group, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton: world leader in luxury, listed on CAC 40 index.) who are a massive luxury items company who also own (Deep breath!!)
Moet&chandon,Loewe,LuisVuitton,DonnaKaran,Hennessy ,Glenmorangie,Kenzo,VeuveCliquot,Krug,Hublot,DiorW atches Etc Etc Etc.
I'm pretty certain that they have nothing at all to do with Rolex. . . .
Are you sure about that?
Tag Heuer are owned by LMVH (LVMH group, Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton: world leader in luxury, listed on CAC 40 index.) who are a massive luxury items company who also own (Deep breath!!)
Moet&chandon,Loewe,LuisVuitton,DonnaKaran,Hennessy ,Glenmorangie,Kenzo,VeuveCliquot,Krug,Hublot,DiorW atches Etc Etc Etc.
I'm pretty certain that they have nothing at all to do with Rolex. . . .
When mine got sent to Tag for a battery change it came back and said Tag Heuer/Rolex on the invoice(Tag invoice) so I assumed they were one in the same!!!