Watch Crunch Demographics
I see lots of posts about really nice watches, then I do some research on that watch and it is not available where I live (UK). This is more the case for microbrands.
Of course, I can usually get the watch shipped to the UK but for high shipping costs and customs tax... or even 20% VAT. This sometimes means the watch is not exactly financially viable.
A couple of recent examples where those additional costs have prevented me from buying a watch: Echo/Neutra (Italy) and Lorier (USA). I would always prefer to buy directly from the brand where possible.
But also, the big grey market shops like Jomashop and Ashford incur these costs.
So I was just wondering where Crunchers are living and any thoughts on (un)availability of certain watches where you live? (I'm only allowed 4 poll answers so please do not be offended for not including everywhere)
UK 🇬🇧. Royal Navy Submariner. Things I like: Single Malt Whisky, Books, Coffee, Cribbage, Photography, oh... and Watches.
‘Murica 🤣
Malaysia
Japan.
I don’t remember customs charges on watch purchases being mentioned in the Brexit debates.
David Cameron missed a trick; that surely would have been the clinching argument for all those folks who carefully made their choice! Will no-one consider the poor watch enthusiast?!
Wait a minute … “And guys, omg, it’s going to be so much harder to get luxury watches from the continent”. Let me think on that again! 🤔
USA! USA! USA!
Germany... and I'm having the same issues with the US microbrands. would love to get a Traska but 200€ on top for VAT, tax and shipping is a bit intimidating.
Germany... and I'm having the same issues with the US microbrands. would love to get a Traska but 200€ on top for VAT, tax and shipping is a bit intimidating.
In fact, I also looked a Traska (Summiteer) and had the same issue 😐
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone………….. Sorry got carried away a bit there errrm the U.K. 😬
Pretty much can get what ever here in USA except as usual the Japanese watches that are for Japan only. Gotta have a friend there to get them.
There is a fifth dimension beyond that which is known to man. It is a dimension as vast as space and as timeless as infinity. It is the middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition, and it lies between the pit of man's fears and the summit of his knowledge. This is the dimension of imagination. It is an area which we call the Twilight Zone………….. Sorry got carried away a bit there errrm the U.K. 😬
Sounds like the sort of place where time is not a factor and therefore a watch is not needed. I suppose that is one way to avoid customs tax... be more like Mark! 😄
Germany... and I'm having the same issues with the US microbrands. would love to get a Traska but 200€ on top for VAT, tax and shipping is a bit intimidating.
I bought a Trafford Crossroads (Austin, Texas) because I really liked it. But all told it was over £500 (for a fairly simple watch) once delivered. I’d definitely hesitate to do so again.
Yip we are being punished for being morons and leaving one of the biggest trade groups in the world, it sucks. Not just watches that gets that healthy 20% slapped on though, everything is 20% more expensive.
Italian 🇮🇹 living in Ireland 🇮🇪
Yip we are being punished for being morons and leaving one of the biggest trade groups in the world, it sucks. Not just watches that gets that healthy 20% slapped on though, everything is 20% more expensive.
But if a few years later you become Foreign Secretary you can travel alot and pick up lots of bargains in airport duty free! 😆
Netherlands.
Small country, but we did produce:
Sorry, wrong forum / we did produce:
Still have to add a Dutch watch brand to the collection myself though!
I had a bunch of notifications that you were trying to post a GIF. Settled on the emoji flag instead? 🤣
That's right, no idea how to make a gif work 🤣
I live in Southern Germany, but I don't see a problem in getting watches from other countries, you just gotta pay the taxes. Budget that it and you're good.
I have 2 homes and split my time between the USA and Europe. I picked the US but really spend little time there these days. it's gone completely off the rails...
Having said that, I feel your pain. Earlier this year I had one and the same watch shipped from Switzerland (from manuf) to London to a friend and to NYC to myself. Same price, same model, same config. Identical watches circa 2900 CHF. Door to door to London, "tax" came out to 670 or 680 bucks (not sure if it was customs, VAT or what specifically but that's how much I paid). To NYC it was 59 dollars. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the difference. For that kind of difference you can just fly on Ryanair and might as well get a trip out of it LOL
USA all day, but have spent some time living in the UK and Japan.
🇦🇺 AUS. We don’t get Certina
Denmark 🇩🇰
Mexico, but I only take delivery in the US. Customs of 18% and risk of theft preclude shipping to Mx.
Middle of Nowhere, South Africa.
Canada! 🍻
Germany
Italian 🇮🇹 living in Ireland 🇮🇪
Catholic squared!
Catholic squared!
Catholic my ass 😂😂😂
The Netherlands
Straya.🇦🇺🦘
Germany