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FOIS: Is this a good choice for my first Omega?
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Ssunnylee24
·My first Omega is FOIS Speedmaster.
At first, I couldn't be happier, excitement of owning a the Speedmaster was overwhelming. Then within a month, I wished I had gotten a Professional model (due to being a bit sportier) but now it totally grew on me and love the more dressy look plus the fit on my wrist. Also, saphire glass was a plus for me so that I don't worry about being dinged up.
Since I bought the watch, I purchased 4 different straps and 3 of them are 20mm, which I like more then 19mm due to fitting bit more tightly.
Go with your guts, try them on and purchase one you like.
At first, I couldn't be happier, excitement of owning a the Speedmaster was overwhelming. Then within a month, I wished I had gotten a Professional model (due to being a bit sportier) but now it totally grew on me and love the more dressy look plus the fit on my wrist. Also, saphire glass was a plus for me so that I don't worry about being dinged up.
Since I bought the watch, I purchased 4 different straps and 3 of them are 20mm, which I like more then 19mm due to fitting bit more tightly.
Go with your guts, try them on and purchase one you like.
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bluesamurai
·If you are buying anything in the U.K, you will be paying VAT. Why not buy from the grey dealer and claim the VAT back on that purchase?
From what I understand, grey dealers like Iconic source the watch from other EU countries where the price is cheaper. They then sell the watch to you. The reason they can offer such good prices is that there is no VAT to pay, tax has already been paid in the source country. They are able to do this because of some legal loophole that involves paying tax on the profit margin only or something like that. I don't think you can buy from a grey dealer doing this and then claim back VAT because you are not paying any VAT, hence the reduced price.
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bluesamurai
·How exactly do you go about doing that?
To claim back the VAT, you have to get the paperwork done at the store at the time of purchase. Not all stores in the UK participate in the scheme, but I think high end watch stores would. Then at the airport you must show the goods and the paperwork to the customs officer. Bear in mind that you must be a non-EU resident and able to prove it, ie show ID or other documentation that shows you live in a non-EU country.
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ConElPueblo
·To claim back the VAT, you have to get the paperwork done at the store at the time of purchase. Not all stores in the UK participate in the scheme, but I think high end watch stores would. Then at the airport you must show the goods and the paperwork to the customs officer. Bear in mind that you must be a non-EU resident and able to prove it, ie show ID or other documentation that shows you live in a non-EU country.
My experience was that I got my receipt (stating VAT amount) stamped in the airport, then I faxed the stamped receipt to the store. They took care of the paper work from there...
However, a lot of stores don't offer this service and some outsource it to a third party instead. In those cases, the amount of VAT you'll get returned is lessened, as the third party grabs a certain percentage of it.
So if you're thinking of reclaiming VAT on an item you're going to buy, make sure you know the store policy on this. They are not required to handle your claim.
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Motman
·From what I understand, grey dealers like Iconic source the watch from other EU countries where the price is cheaper. They then sell the watch to you. The reason they can offer such good prices is that there is no VAT to pay, tax has already been paid in the source country. They are able to do this because of some legal loophole that involves paying tax on the profit margin only or something like that. I don't think you can buy from a grey dealer doing this and then claim back VAT because you are not paying any VAT, hence the reduced price.
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bluesamurai
·Ultimately, I think it comes down to whether the grey dealer price (with no refundable VAT) is better than the AD price (which has refundable VAT included, but means you have to pay more upfront). If there's not much difference, then the grey dealer seems to me to be the easier option because you don't have to go through the process of reclaiming the VAT, which could take a while or even go wrong and leave you out of pocket. There are pros and cons with both options. I'll probably visit some ADs and see what they offer. If they don't offer much, I'll likely go the grey dealer route.
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bluesamurai
·My first Omega is FOIS. Since I bought the watch, I purchased 4 different straps and 3 of them are 20mm, which I like more then 19mm due to fitting bit more tightly.
So 1mm size difference on the straps doesn't matter and you can fit a 20mm strap on the 19mm FOIS? The idea of having different straps in various colours sounds like fun.
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Ssunnylee24
·So 1mm size difference on the straps doesn't matter and you can fit a 20mm strap on the 19mm FOIS? The idea of having different straps in various colours sounds like fun.
But if you want a bracelet, you need a proper size.
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!Just looked on the receipt for my Speedmaster '57 purchased from Watchfinder and although there is a VAT number it says something like "This item was purchased under the VAT margin scheme" so perhaps that would need looking into in detail as to whether VAT can be reclaimed by the OP when exporting it.
Edited:
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!My experience was that I got my receipt (stating VAT amount) stamped in the airport, then I faxed the stamped receipt to the store. They took care of the paper work from there...
However, a lot of stores don't offer this service and some outsource it to a third party instead. In those cases, the amount of VAT you'll get returned is lessened, as the third party grabs a certain percentage of it.
So if you're thinking of reclaiming VAT on an item you're going to buy, make sure you know the store policy on this. They are not required to handle your claim.
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Tet
·So 1mm size difference on the straps doesn't matter and you can fit a 20mm strap on the 19mm FOIS? The idea of having different straps in various colours sounds like fun.
You can squeeze 1mm just fine for leather straps, but you do see the pinch which I'm not keen on(I have a lot of vintage watches with the 1mm larger straps so accept it, but would rather avoid it on a modern watch).
Bracelets of course are another option, there are options but far more limited on those choices with 19mm. Just something to take into consideration.
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hansmaulwurf
··Senior Snoopy OwnerI like her ... it was my third Omega but could have been the first 😀
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ConElPueblo
·Where was this, can Danes reclaim VAT within the EU or were you elsewhere? I managed to (legally) get back my VAT on a purchase at J S Watches in Iceland which made for a nice discount but you need to go in person.
Outside of EU, naturally. Our laws do not differ from other EU countries 😀
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padders
··Oooo subtitles!Outside of EU, naturally. Our laws do not differ from other EU countries 😀
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ConElPueblo
·Just checking! I thought so but was hoping for some fantastic tax loophole when purchasing from nice Danish vintage watch places. Ah well!
If you find any vintage watches (from a dealer!) in this country where the price would be reasonable even after 20% of the cost had been deducted, let me know 😁
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SpeedieNovice
·I have one, my first omega. It's a stunning watch. Lots of terrific aftermarket straps available too. Do it!
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Tacket
·Oh man, all this FOIS talk -- this is the next watch on my high end purchase list, albeit it's one I'm going to have to save for. I've got a garage full of vintage drums maybe I should sell and get it sooner 😎
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R3D9
·I'll chime in and say I think it's a stunning watch with a wonderful case design and beautiful hands. The only downside of the FOIS, for me, is the sapphire crystal... that milky ring bothers me and I can't get past it. I wish Omega would either change the design of the crystal itself or start shipping LE's with a Hesalite crystal instead.
All that said, it's a fantastic watch and for anyone with a sub-7" wrist, it definitely deserves a look when considering entering the Speedy universe.
All that said, it's a fantastic watch and for anyone with a sub-7" wrist, it definitely deserves a look when considering entering the Speedy universe.
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Longbow
·Perhaps you should try @demollo here at OF
https://omegaforums.net/threads/bni...e-311-32-40-30-01-001-fois.56055/#post-760401
https://omegaforums.net/threads/bni...e-311-32-40-30-01-001-fois.56055/#post-760401
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