Luxury Watches? Prices? (buy, shops, discount)

[spencgr]

Hi -Does anyone know if the pricing on upscale watches (Rolex, Omega, Cartier, etc) is rather fixed (MSRP) or does it change from retailer to retailer? Would the exact same model Rolex cost the same at Lenkersdorfer Fine Jewelers in The Galleria as it would at Fink's Jewelers in Dulles Town Center?

I'm only interested in comparisons between authorized dealers; not pricing from online or discount shops.

[PK12]

The prices can vary, i.e could be subject to some level of negotiations with the salesperson you are working with. I personally have not been part of this process, but have heard that folks have been able to save a couple of hundred dollars or so.



The one authorized watch dealer I have first hand experience with and would recommend is Tourneau in Pentagon City. I bought a $2,200 Tag Heuer from them, which I believe is not really in the price range of negotiations so I didn't consider discussing the price with them. However, they offer a $250 discount on all watches that are $1,000 + so that was definitely nice! I am pretty sure they would apply the same discount to Rolex, Cartier, Omega etc.... all of which they carry and have a pretty solid selection to choose from.

[PK12]

Forgot to add - they also have some pretty decent interest-free financing programs if you were considering that to be a payment option.

[spencgr]

Thanks. You can negotiate? Like a car? Huh. Didn't think about that.

[Ffxdata]

Originally Posted by spencgr

Thanks. You can negotiate? Like a car? Huh. Didn't think about that.

Oh absolutely! My spouse and I were looking at diamond earrings and without trying they offered us 40% off list price. Watches wouldn’t have as much leeway but it’s expected to negotiate at the jewelers. Not Nordstrom or the like though.

[Pilot1]

Everything is negotiable. There are SOME authorized retailers that will negotiate. Rolex is the most difficult to negotiate however. They are very adamant about maintaining MSRP, that is why some buy them, and others on the gray market.

I bought an Omega Speedmaster Pro (moon watch) almost twenty years ago from an AD in NYC over the phone, and got it for about 30% off MSRP. Not sure if they still do that.

[MedvedActual]

Originally Posted by PK12

The prices can vary, i.e could be subject to some level of negotiations with the salesperson you are working with. I personally have not been part of this process, but have heard that folks have been able to save a couple of hundred dollars or so.



The one authorized watch dealer I have first hand experience with and would recommend is Tourneau in Pentagon City. I bought a $2,200 Tag Heuer from them, which I believe is not really in the price range of negotiations so I didn't consider discussing the price with them. However, they offer a $250 discount on all watches that are $1,000 + so that was definitely nice! I am pretty sure they would apply the same discount to Rolex, Cartier, Omega etc.... all of which they carry and have a pretty solid selection to choose from.

Have had good luck with Tourneau in Pentagon City, although it's been years since I bought my watch from them. Depending on what you are willing to spend, ask them about a warranty. I was lucky enough to have bought one for my watch ($250 for 2 years - covered any damage, for a $10k watch is pretty reasonable IMO). I did end up tripping and falling and scratching several links, which they replaced without any questions. Just an FYI. You can also bring it to them anytime for cleaning/polish for free.