i would love to buy a watch for if i someday have a child, to hand it down. i'll be doing this purchase in the luzern, switz area. any recomendations on a shop and what to look out for. thanks again. i already owe you' all too much....gustave

There's a big store in the center of Lucern called "Bucherer" (sp?). This is a big store and the biggest choice is there. But, it's not cheap. Buses bring hordes to buy watches at this shop. You can buy a true Rolex and be certain it's not a replica.

You might find that the Swiss themselves don't buy the big name watches. Ask some Swiss themselves what they're wearing. You'll find that they're not spending too many Swiss Francs for the big names. I think Cortina is one of the names the Swiss buy for themselves.

Remember that your hotel employees get a refund when you buy a watch at Bucherer or the big stores. Don't ask them what to buy. Find a Swiss person who isn't involved with your hotel.

Depending your style, you sure will find something great and will last forever.

Blackduff

Please do a LOT of comparison shopping before you leave for your trip to make sure you know what prices are in the US before you leave, this is the only way to know whether you are getting a bargain in Switzerland, which is unlikely. Go on the internet and also go to local department stores and jewelers. I don't think you will find Switzerland any cheaper, and may in fact pay more for the watch, as things are generally much more expensive, and the Swiss Franc is quite strong. You will however have a nice memory of buying the watch in Switzerland.

I agree that Bucherer is a very reputable dealer, take a look at http://www.bucherer.ch/en/about-us.html. They have locations all over Switzerland. However, in Switzerland it would be quite rare to be ripped off in any manner, and prices do not very too much from store to store, and if you know your basic US prices, you can compare from store to store. Other reputable dealers are

Christ
Kramgasse 8
CH-6004 Luzern
Telefon: +41 (0) 41 410 18 80
http://www.christ-swiss.ch (Pronounced like "Chris" with a T on the end)

Beyer, go to http://www.beyer-ch.com/english/index-en.asp (only in Zurich)

When you buy the watch, make sure the store gives you have a copy of the warranty in English, and make sure that the warranty is an international one, that is, you can get your watch repaired in the US under the warranty. Most Swiss watch brands offer international warranties, but do check.

Switzerland has a value added tax or VAT of about 7.5%. Most prices you will see include VAT, but do ask to make sure on big ticket items. For items over CHF 400 (about $300) you can get a refund of the VAT when you leave the country. Make sure you get all the papers necessary so that you can claim a refund of the VAT at the airport when you depart.

Don't forget that you may have to pay duty on the watch when you bring it back to your home country.

FYI, I lived in Switzerland and now live Hong Kong, and prices for Swiss watches are about 25% less in Hong Kong than anywhere else, and there is no tax at all. Also, the Hong Kong Dollar and US Dollar are pegged so there is no exchange rate risk. So if you are planning at some point to travel to Asia, you might want to watch to buy you Swiss watch here.

Please heed Cicerone's advice about comparison shopping. And, of course, there may be the issue of paying duty on it when you return as well as the exchange rate.

If you don't want to pay duty, pack the watch box in your suitcase, and wear it through customs...

However, the big name watches have pretty much equal pricing around the entire world, so I'm not sure if there will be much benefit in buying it in Switzerland. Also, a friendly jeweller back home might give you a discount and make the whole experience far easier. Make sure it's a small store...

In London the biggest jewellers (for this sort of thing is called Watches of Switzerland) and they refuse to give any discount on Rolexes these days (they used to in the eighties) yet a little shop I know will give 10-20% depending on the model which isn't bad going at all. So shop around!

Well if you don't want to pay duty, don't be so stupid as to put an empty box in your suitcase, at least MAIL that home with the sales receipt and warranties. The last thing you want is some customs officer finding the box and then fining you. . . Coming from Switzerland you may already be in a suspect class, so I personally don't think it's worth the risk to try to sneak it in. A new watch looks very new. I would declare it and pay duty. Depending on the price of the watch and what else you bought, it may not be very much. Also, the officer has discretion not to charge, and if you are close to the duty free amount, they often do not charge at all (at least in my experience.)

Sorry, mean to include this too. If you are a US citizen, take a look at the guide put together by the US Customs Services at http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cg.../vacation/kbyg. If you are married, you will have an exemption of $1600, if you are single, you will have a limit of $800. That means everything you buy on your trip should be in the aggregate less than $800/$1600 for two. Above that amount, you will pay a duty of 3% on the first $1,000 of items. (If you are married the flat duty rate is on $2000 worth of items.) The percentages increase on a sliding scale after the first flat duty rate.

Hi

When I was in Lucerne I checked out Bucherer to see if they were cheaper than back home in Australia. I knew the price of a Rado (i.e a genuine one from a reputable retailer). I was surprised to see that there was no price difference. I couldn't see any advantage buying them there. You would probably get a better deal on eBay! What Bucherer did have that was really nice was cuckoo clocks for a few hundred dollars. I think that would make a far better heirloom. I still remember my grandfather's!

Cheers

Heirloom?

I really like some of the wooden carvings in Brienz. They really have some beautiful, authentic pieces of wooden art there.

You can see an example of it here: http://www.brienz-shopping.ch/huggler/index.htm

DH and I were in Geneva last September and were looking for a Baume and Mercier for him. We found it - and ended up doing better in NY. Heed the advice given above and know your prices. If you find something else you like and don't know the price, go to an internet cafe (there is a big one right near the train station) and check the price on-line before buying.

can't say it enough but thanks for everyones advice. owe you'all a drink sometime.....gustave

It's a lot of fun going into a Swatch shop in Switzerland . They are so much fun and you can buy several for the price of a fancy/dancy one.

zob.....thanks for everyone's help. i've also had a few friends whom are very knowledgable with this sort of thing, help me out. thanks for all your info.

Cicerone is absolutely right about the prices being much cheaper in Hong Kong. Plus Hong Kong often has the latest or hottest models that you can't get anywhere else.

I'm a Swiss living in Hong Kong and have been in the luxury watch industry for 13 years. I get very good agent prices on watches - usually better than any retailer would offer a walk in customer. With full international warranty.

If you would like a price quote, please email me at [email protected] and list the brand and model number. Happy shopping!

Unless you are in a big city in the USA, you won't find the variety of Swiss watches any better than in Switzerland. Bucherer is an excellent store, and very reputable. My Rolex goes to Bucherer in Zurich for cleanings. They take a long time, but the watch comes home with me looking brand new.

There are sooooo many wonderful Swiss watch brands. I'd do my homework, but you still will be amazed at what is offered in Bucherer, Kurz, Christ, and other fine stores.