Buying IWC in Australia

[DerekLorimer]

I am looking for some advice or opinions about buying IWC. I live in Canberra Australia. The watch I am interested in is the XVI Pilot but would also consider a XV pilot or spitfire.

My options are

1. Buy from an Australian AD. I have looking in Watches in Switzerland in Melbourne and they wanted AUD 5100 for a XVI pilot on strap less whatever discount I could negotiate. The advantage is that I get a new watch plus a warranty. The disadvantage is the cost.

2. Buy from an Australian second hand dealer. The advantage is that I can save some money and I still am protected by Australian consumer law. The disadvantage is that they have limited stock.

3. Buy from an overseas dealer. The advantage is that the prices are cheaper, especially with the high Australian dollar. The disadvantage is I have zero protection from consumer law and will have to pay shipping, duty and GST on the watch.

Have an Australian members got any experience in buying from overseas or any opinions.

[toph]

Hi and welcome, i have bought from the EU USA and Canada many times in recent months. I have been here 2 years ( originally from the UK). the prices are very high here.

My advice is do what feels right for you but there are deals to be had from abroad, if you are careful with whom you buy from and do some due dilligence

if you ever want an independednt opinion or a hand looking, dont hesitate to give me a message!

I am not a watch dealer at all


I have contacts and friends in the UK and USA that could help get one here with minimal risk, if it ever came to it.
cheers

[anonymousmoose]

I've bought one watch from within Australia, my Omega seamaster off eBay, private sale preowned. All the rest, I've bought from overseas.

I refuse to buy from australia as watches, like most things, are overpriced. 2nd hand dealers sell some watches used at the cost of a new one from the USA. It still amazes me that so many people still pay.

When buying a new watch, you will get the warranty that goes with it so the consumer laws are worth passing up. I'm no fan of Watches of Switzerland here in WA. They don't discount much. But the again, as the only IWC dealer in WA they got the monopoly. It may be different over east.

My advise is get the forum AD to give you a quote, factor in customs duty (10% + $50) and then go to your local ADs and try to get discounts. Then you can decide where you want to purchase.

I wouldn't be paying anywhere near $5000 for a Mark XVI that's for sure. My Pilot Chronograph came to a lot less the that, and that's with customs duty added.

/posted via mobile device\

[rohanmce]

Hi Derek

I also live in Canberra and want to buy an IWC. Small world hey!

I've been to Watches of Switzerland in Sydney and the pricing is outrageous. It is simply more economical to buy some cheap tickets to the US (or other OS destination) and purchase your watch in person. You can avoid all taxes and duties, get the experience of travel, the in store experience at an AD and still enjoy the IWC international warranty.

I currently have plans to fly through Amsterdam in August and buy from Dimer @ Ace Jewelers in person.

[negatron]

I found the discount i got from Monards in Melbourne better than what I could wrangle from ADs in Singapore (which was used to be an awesome place for watch bargains)

Good luck with your IWC hunt!

[DerekLorimer]

Hi Derek

I also live in Canberra and want to buy an IWC. Small world hey!

I've been to Watches of Switzerland in Sydney and the pricing is outrageous. It is simply more economical to buy some cheap tickets to the US (or other OS destination) and purchase your watch in person. You can avoid all taxes and duties, get the experience of travel, the in store experience at an AD and still enjoy the IWC international warranty.

I currently have plans to fly through Amsterdam in August and buy from Dimer @ Ace Jewelers in person.

Thanks for the response. Let me know how you get on.

I have just purchased a Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre 1 Limited Edition from the USA. I was quoted $6K in the Tag Heuer boutique in Melbourne and purchased a pre owned example from the USA for less than $2K ( including customs duty ). Watches of Switzerland have a beautiful store but the pricing is very expensive. They wanted $6 600 for an IWC XVI on bracelet. As you say you could fly overseas and buy one and still have change.

[onnzo]

Agree with the overseas purchase. If it was a small difference I would buy local In support of local ad's but the difference is too great. I am lucky to have a friend in NYC that picked me up a port chrono for substantially less then the price here (thanks to a lead from a fellow wus member). I could fly to NYC, buy the watch and still have change compared to the local prices.

[Lima]

Hi Derek

I also live in Canberra and want to buy an IWC. Small world hey!

Make that three. ;)

I'm after a 3717.

[DerekLorimer]

I finally bought the IWC XVI on strap from Watches of Switzerland in Melbourne in their post Christmas sale. All the IWC were on sale and I got the watch at a very fair price.

I can recommend dealing with them as you get a fair price and the peace of mind of dealing with an Australian AD.

IWC pilots watches seem to be harder to find second hand than other brands like Tag and Omega.

I am finally getting to wear the watch as it is my 50th birthday tomorrow. It has been sitting in the safe since December.

[blakey]

Gratz on your new watch and happy birthday!! =)