Boutique discounts?
As we are facing a recession and cost of living crisis. I was wondering if anybody would like to share any recent experiences in watch boutiques that are giving discounts on their watches.
I have come across a few, with online companies in the UK giving up to 20% discount on new watches for affordable watches during blblack friday and cyber monday. What I was very surprised to experience was that a few weeks ago in London I walked into a few high end boutiques and tried a few pieces on and they was offering discounts on their retail price.
The first one was I was looking at a H Moser pioneer seconds in rose gold. I tried it on and within 10 minutes or so the sales rep offered it to me £2000 cheaper than the asking price. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a cheap piece to start off with, but I didn't even ask for a discount. The second experience was exactly the same, where I tried on 2 A.lange & Sohne, a saxonia and the 1815. As I was trying both on, the sales rep asked me which one I liked better. As I told I proffered thr latter, she proceeded to tell me she could get the price much lower if I took it away today. I didn't even ask for it. Same with omega, where I tried on a de ville and was offered £900 off as a regular customer without asking for one.
When I went to breitling, I had not such luck. I tried on the rose gold duograph. I asked for a discount this time as I wasn't offered one and got a firm no. Same as Grand Seiko, where they offered no discount but to use the interest free buying option instead.
Looks like the increase of inflation is biting hard for some brands.
Many thanks watch fam
You can't buy time, but you can buy how you want to read it. Before you make a purchase, remember that the watch is rarer than money. Happy collecting
I went into a very nice shop in Virginia over the weekend with the intent to purchase a Seiko Alpinist and the new Tissot PRX with the mint/tiffany face. While they didnt have the PRX, I walked away with the Alpinist under retail, and an SKX for pretty decent price. They also gifted me with a wolf single watch case. I don't feel I'm at the point in life or in my collection to be in the A.lange, GS, Omega conversations, but I do enjoy the sub $1300 market as of lately.
Thanks for sharing. Good to know that even the boutiques selling more affordable watches are offering discounts on brand new watches. Everyone in this community is including in this conservation. There is no snobbery here, we are here because we all love watches at all price points. I too collect affordable watches and vintages, it was to show the community that even some of the big boys are offering discounts at the current climate that we are in. Thank you for sharing. Now this comment gives collectors looking for a seiko that it is achievable to get a discount. 👍
I recently bought a new Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 Hi-Beat last month for almost a thousand dollars off MSRP.
I recently bought a new Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 Hi-Beat last month for almost a thousand dollars off MSRP.
Wow thays a great deal. Was it from a GS boutique. I had such luck in the London boutique
Wow thays a great deal. Was it from a GS boutique. I had such luck in the London boutique
It was from a local Authorized Retailer. Not an official boutique.
It was from a local Authorized Retailer. Not an official boutique.
Probably the authorised dealer have different discounts, they want to earn less profit and move the stock to raise capital for more stock. Fantastic deal though 👍
Probably the authorised dealer have different discounts, they want to earn less profit and move the stock to raise capital for more stock. Fantastic deal though 👍
Indeed. I think the independents have more room to make those decisions than the offices boutiques. I was looking at two different dealers for the watch. ChroNext had an unworn/new SLGH005 for 7600 and they came as close to that price as they could. I decided to go with my local AD because of the 5 year warranty that comes from purchasing at an Authorized Retailer. Plus, my AD has earned my trust over the years. They‘ve always looked out for my best interests. Cheers!
If only I get this for 90% discount then I may be able to sell a kidney to afford my grail watch ( champagne taste - beer budget )
Bought another Grand Seiko and got almost a thousand dollars off. It was another Evolution9 collection watch - the SBGE285. My AD truly takes care of me. I will forever remain faithful to them.
Breitling has been sponsor backed for a while now by megafund PE firms. It is probably one of the most efficiently run watch brands because of that. This doesn’t necessarily mean that they won’t offer discounts, but it should mean that there should be some uniformity in their behavior across different locations.
Anyway - these are great data points. Thanks for sharing.