First off, lemme just say, I feel ya on the price thing. That blurb about the 7,100 Swiss Francs? Woah! That’s Bucherer prices for ya. I mean, retirement gift or not, nobody wants to get ripped off. And honestly, sometimes these fancy ADs (Authorized Dealers) feel like they’re practically *daring* you to go grey market.
Now, about Europe vs. USA… it’s a bit of a mixed bag, isn’t it? You’ve got the VAT refund in Europe, which *sounds* amazing. Basically, you get a chunk of the tax back when you leave the country. That can definitely lower the price, but remember you gotta fill out forms, potentially wait in line at the airport – it’s not always a walk in the park. Plus, currency exchange rates can be a real pain. One minute the pound is doing okay, the next it’s tanking. It’s all a gamble!
And then there’s the whole “availability” thing. You might find a Rolex you want is easier to get in one country than another. Like, maybe you’re after a specific Submariner, and some random AD in, I dunno, Belgium, has it just sitting there. While your local shop in the UK is saying “Oh, it’s a five-year waiting list, luv.” Seriously, five years?! Are you kidding me?!
Then you think about the US. No VAT refund, obviously. But depending on the state, sales tax might be lower than the VAT you’d get back in Europe. Plus, you might find deals, especially if you’re willing to travel a bit within the States. And hey, maybe you’ve got some friends or family there who can help you out!
Honestly, there’s no easy answer here. It really depends on a bunch of factors: which model you’re after, current exchange rates, availability, and even just plain luck. I’d say do your research. Check prices online (but be careful of scams!), maybe call some ADs in both Europe and the US. See what the vibe is.
My personal take? I reckon that Switzerland, while having potentially high list prices (that Bucherer anecdote!), is worth investigating. The Swiss Franc is strong, yeah, but it’s *Switzerland*! It’s like Rolex central! Plus, think of the story you can tell: “Oh, yeah, I bought this in Switzerland, right at the source.” Pretty cool, right?
