Watchfinder.co.uk
Discussion
Have been on the lookout for a IWC BP over the last few weeks, making several visits to a couple of AD's the most discount i could get was 10%. I have known all along that watchfinder could get me a better deal (about 18%)but it lead me wondering how they get larger discounts..... I have used them before and there watches come from Ad,s in this country...is it that they purely order so many watches....
Why i ask is when i told the dealer how much discount i wanted, and how much i could get he basically told my that watchfinder could not get these watches through a main agent.....
Why i ask is when i told the dealer how much discount i wanted, and how much i could get he basically told my that watchfinder could not get these watches through a main agent.....
My take on this is: Watchfinder operate in what is known as "the grey market". They buy the watches from overseas (using international pricing differences and currency fluctuations to source the watches at a price lower than they are sold in the UK), import them in and resell them here. They are consequently not Authorised dealers. Indeed, the IWCs (and Omegas, Panerais, Rolexes etc) of this world are trying to shut them down as by importing from outside the EU they are (allegedly, I believe) infringing international Trademark laws.
So here's the deal as I see it: Buy the watch from the grey market and it will cost less but you have no comeback if it goes wrong. Most manufacturers don't (as far as I'm aware and I'm open to correction on this) warranty watches sourced via grey market suppliers. In the meantime there is a risk they will get closed down and you lose everything (The watch manufacturers are slowly picking these grey market operators off). This may not be a huge risk but it happens. Believe me, IT HAPPENS!
Anyway, this is how I understand the system works. I can't say I'm an expert so apologies in advance if I've gotten any of my facts mistaken. As they used to say on Blind date: The decision... is yours...!
So here's the deal as I see it: Buy the watch from the grey market and it will cost less but you have no comeback if it goes wrong. Most manufacturers don't (as far as I'm aware and I'm open to correction on this) warranty watches sourced via grey market suppliers. In the meantime there is a risk they will get closed down and you lose everything (The watch manufacturers are slowly picking these grey market operators off). This may not be a huge risk but it happens. Believe me, IT HAPPENS!
Anyway, this is how I understand the system works. I can't say I'm an expert so apologies in advance if I've gotten any of my facts mistaken. As they used to say on Blind date: The decision... is yours...!
I got a Portofino Chrono' from them a couple of months ago, because it was a lot of money to part with to a "web" type operation I actually went to their offices, viewed the watch, and bought it there and then with a stamped up AD warranty. I found them very good to deal with and would recommend them again. Although there was a story on here about the same time that I bought mine by someone who had had problems with delivery and getting straight answers, but i think it was more a courier type cock up that wasn't sorted out very well. But I'd use them again.
I bought an Omega deVille for the missus 3 years ago from Watchfinder. List price £5000 and got it from them for £3900
It was a UK watch from a London Omega dealer.
Aall they do is I guess agree to channel all their sales from one or two dealers and negotiate substantial discounts. As for service, I turned up at their office in Maidstone and they could not have been more helpful
It was a UK watch from a London Omega dealer.
Aall they do is I guess agree to channel all their sales from one or two dealers and negotiate substantial discounts. As for service, I turned up at their office in Maidstone and they could not have been more helpful
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