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Omega-Q
·It's up to you. I've only ever had very positive experiences with my OB purchases. They have been incredible people to deal with, but YMMV depending on where you are.
Is the boutique experience worth the premium sale price?
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PandaSPUR
·+1 for the NYC OB (5th ave one specifically), I love em and occasionally drop in to chat/drink/look at shinies whenever I'm in the area.
Plenty of benefits if you plan on buying several watches over time, but if you only want to buy one new watch for the foreseeable future then shrug AD is a better idea.
Plenty of benefits if you plan on buying several watches over time, but if you only want to buy one new watch for the foreseeable future then shrug AD is a better idea.
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Owlsu
·Depends if you feel that paying probably around $700 to sit on a sofa and drink a glass of champagne whilst someone sizes a bracelet for you is worth it or not, because that's realistically all you're getting by purchasing it from a boutique Vs anywhere else.
When I bought mine from an AD with a discount, I turned down any drinks and stuff they were even trying to offer me. The whole thing felt incredibly weird and pretentious just to purchase a watch and it was embarrassing almost sitting there while the staffs brought it out with fine white gloves on and silk cushioned trays.
When I bought mine from an AD with a discount, I turned down any drinks and stuff they were even trying to offer me. The whole thing felt incredibly weird and pretentious just to purchase a watch and it was embarrassing almost sitting there while the staffs brought it out with fine white gloves on and silk cushioned trays.
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Bing813
·Depends if you feel that paying probably around $700 to sit on a sofa and drink a glass of champagne whilst someone sizes a bracelet for you is worth it or not, because that's realistically all you're getting by purchasing it from a boutique Vs anywhere else.
When I bought mine from an AD with a discount, I turned down any drinks and stuff they were even trying to offer me. The whole thing felt incredibly weird and pretentious just to purchase a watch and it was embarrassing almost sitting there while the staffs brought it out with fine white gloves on and silk cushioned trays.
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rbird7282
·I would almost never buy a watch brand new to begin with, I'm certainly not going to pay full price at an Omega boutique. I buy almost all of my watches second hand, let someone else take the initial hit on price.
It's not worth the extra $$ for me.
It's not worth the extra $$ for me.
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PhilF
·Over the last 30-35 years I've bought several Omegas from 2 ADs that I've had long-term relationships with, I've never been offered champagne but have had friendly professional experiences at both. I've been given moderate to generous discounts along the way, usually without asking. So, as a middle ground, I'd pick a good local AD over a trip to an OB, generally know what I want, don't need the dog & pony show.
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Donn Chambers
·And you'd either need to pay US customs duty, or lie at re-entry.
People overestimate how much duty will need to be paid. Having brought two watches purchased overseas through US Customs, declaring them and paying duty, the most I paid was about $150. And the watches weren’t cheap (a Speedmaster and a Seamaster 300 heritage).
In my case, they charged a flat fee of 3% after subtracting off my standard allowance ($800 at the time). They also didn’t convert British pounds to dollars, just did a one to one conversion, which helped some. 😀
Technically, they probably charged too little because they didn’t break it down into components and charge the proper rates, but that was their decision to move things along quickly and I suspect it is pretty common.
In any case, it’s a lot cheaper than being caught not declaring, which is seizing the item AND a hefty fine (somewhere north of $10k, I think).
In both cases, I purchased overseas at a time when the dollar was a lot stronger against the Euro and GBP, so the price was cheaper than buying new in the US. I also did the VAT refund, but it was not quick — took over 6 months to get the money in both cases, then I also had to pay a bank fee to convert the money to dollars. Almost not worth it, IMO.
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setch
·I would almost never buy a watch brand new to begin with, I'm certainly not going to pay full price at an Omega boutique. I buy almost all of my watches second hand, let someone else take the initial hit on price.
It's not worth the extra $$ for me.
This makes a ton of sense to me and is certainly my approach to watches (and cars, nowadays).
That said, my local watch group did a meet-up at the WDC OB and it was really lovely. The staff and Omega corporate rep for OBs were not pushy or snobby at all, much more enthusiast focused than anything else. All sorts of other brands came up in discussion and the Q&A that was held. The did have an exhibition white dial that they are taking orders for, delivery expected in Jun/Jul. At any rate, it was a good experience to see their current line-up all in one room.
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PandaSPUR
·Nope, you can tell the truth and they'll let you by because they generally don't want the paperwork hassle. Just did it in December.
People overestimate how much duty will need to be paid. Having brought two watches purchased overseas through US Customs, declaring them and paying duty, the most I paid was about $150. And the watches weren’t cheap (a Speedmaster and a Seamaster 300 heritage).
In my case, they charged a flat fee of 3% after subtracting off my standard allowance ($800 at the time). They also didn’t convert British pounds to dollars, just did a one to one conversion, which helped some. 😀
Technically, they probably charged too little because they didn’t break it down into components and charge the proper rates, but that was their decision to move things along quickly and I suspect it is pretty common.
In any case, it’s a lot cheaper than being caught not declaring, which is seizing the item AND a hefty fine (somewhere north of $10k, I think).
In both cases, I purchased overseas at a time when the dollar was a lot stronger against the Euro and GBP, so the price was cheaper than buying new in the US. I also did the VAT refund, but it was not quick — took over 6 months to get the money in both cases, then I also had to pay a bank fee to convert the money to dollars. Almost not worth it, IMO.
Just to add on to this, I've traveled internationally a few times now with five figures worth of new stuff and never been asked to pay for any duties lol. First time, I didn't have global entry so I had to actually talk to a person. I told them I bought a bunch of stuff, they asked if it was for personal use, I said yes and they just waved me forward. Once I got global entry, I realized there isnt even a place to declare. The only interaction you have is with a kiosk and there isnt even an option to declare goods.
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SpeedyPhill
·Boutique "experience" 👎
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Pastorbottle
·Yeah you get to experience paying for the privilege of having sycophantic sales type doing the crawly bum lick in order to sell you a watch
Now as to if it’s worth the expense, well that would depend upon how much you value having suckholes fussing about you offering crap that doesn’t really cost the company anything and that you don’t need or in reality want, in the hope that they can pry some fun tickets from your wallet to flog you a watch.
Yeah that sounds like an experience to me……..not one that I’d care for but definitely an experience!
Now as to if it’s worth the expense, well that would depend upon how much you value having suckholes fussing about you offering crap that doesn’t really cost the company anything and that you don’t need or in reality want, in the hope that they can pry some fun tickets from your wallet to flog you a watch.
Yeah that sounds like an experience to me……..not one that I’d care for but definitely an experience!
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petay993
·Worth it for me.
I have a good relationship with the team at my local OB and pop in once a month for a drink and a chat. I don't force anything, just ask for stuff I want nicely and show a bit of patience.
They sorted me out with an Apollo 11 50th, the second Snoopy they had and one of the first white dial Speedys. Also the Bond 60th Seamaster. They always spice things up with a bit of nice merchandise as well, Speedy poster, the big Omega history book, posters etc. They also held the price of my Snoopy at launch price despite the 14 month wait from launch and interim rrp increases.
They also try and offer a modest discount or throw something in, second strap or similar. Heavy discount on a Speedy bracelet for my Snoopy, free spare links when I misplaced all mine.
That is all more important to me than shopping around for the cheapest deal but others may differ and that is fine.
I have a good relationship with the team at my local OB and pop in once a month for a drink and a chat. I don't force anything, just ask for stuff I want nicely and show a bit of patience.
They sorted me out with an Apollo 11 50th, the second Snoopy they had and one of the first white dial Speedys. Also the Bond 60th Seamaster. They always spice things up with a bit of nice merchandise as well, Speedy poster, the big Omega history book, posters etc. They also held the price of my Snoopy at launch price despite the 14 month wait from launch and interim rrp increases.
They also try and offer a modest discount or throw something in, second strap or similar. Heavy discount on a Speedy bracelet for my Snoopy, free spare links when I misplaced all mine.
That is all more important to me than shopping around for the cheapest deal but others may differ and that is fine.
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drster
·OB is great for getting bracelet parts and straps. I've had great get together experiences at OB. Buying a watch would be limited to a LE or hard to get watch.
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PandaSPUR
·P petay993Worth it for me.
I have a good relationship with the team at my local OB and pop in once a month for a drink and a chat. I don't force anything, just ask for stuff I want nicely and show a bit of patience.
They sorted me out with an Apollo 11 50th, the second Snoopy they had and one of the first white dial Speedys. Also the Bond 60th Seamaster. They always spice things up with a bit of nice merchandise as well, Speedy poster, the big Omega history book, posters etc. They also held the price of my Snoopy at launch price despite the 14 month wait from launch and interim rrp increases.
They also try and offer a modest discount or throw something in, second strap or similar. Heavy discount on a Speedy bracelet for my Snoopy, free spare links when I misplaced all mine.
That is all more important to me than shopping around for the cheapest deal but others may differ and that is fine.
Similar experience for me, except I only got one snoopy lol 😜
To be clear though, OP or anyone else wont get this if they're just planning to make 1 purchase ever. For a single purchase, AD is better.
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TurboBrick
·Chiming in with feedback from purchasing off the gray market. I purchased a brand-new Speedmaster Professional from Jack Road @ 708,182 JPY with Omega warranty and enjoyed a two-week vacation in Japan for approximately what the watch lists for back home. There are other shops that could beat what I paid by a few bucks, but those shops either didn't do tax free on their lowest price, didn't take my preferred card (Kame Kichi), or didn't inspire confidence when I spoke to their staff. The Don Quijote shops are wild, man. You can buy socks, shampoo, and a Speedmaster Pro at the same sales desk.
My only critique is I never got a full explanation on "fully wound", but the Omega rep at Mitsukoshi couldn't either. He at least wound it up for me so I had some idea.
Something to think about. FWIW I landed Saturday morning and they waved both me (Global Entry) and my girlfriend (standard) through the LAX customs line after checking passports. I was never asked to declare anything.
My only critique is I never got a full explanation on "fully wound", but the Omega rep at Mitsukoshi couldn't either. He at least wound it up for me so I had some idea.
Something to think about. FWIW I landed Saturday morning and they waved both me (Global Entry) and my girlfriend (standard) through the LAX customs line after checking passports. I was never asked to declare anything.
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texasmade
·To everyone that dealt with the Houston OB the past few years with Hannah as the assistant manager/manager, she's no longer employed at the OB. Looks like Omega let go of nearly everyone and brought in a new team and manager. I just went in today and was greeted by a new manager at the store along with a whole new team.
I was "on the list" for an EW321 but looks like that went from highly unlikely to zero change now with the new team.
I was "on the list" for an EW321 but looks like that went from highly unlikely to zero change now with the new team.
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Evitzee
·To everyone that dealt with the Houston OB the past few years with Hannah as the assistant manager/manager, she's no longer employed at the OB. Looks like Omega let go of nearly everyone and brought in a new team and manager. I just went in today and was greeted by a new manager at the store along with a whole new team.
I was "on the list" for an EW321 but looks like that went from highly unlikely to zero change now with the new team.
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texasmade
·This is why the 'establish a relationship with your OB' recommendation that you hear on OF will often count for nothing. Team members come and go, whole teams are replaced, or the OB permanently closed. My closest OB was San Antonio and although I never bought a watch from them I did buy a few straps and buckles over the years and was on a first name basis with the manager, very friendly staff. Around the first of the year the location closed and no longer appears on Omega's site. They are supposed to be opening an OB in Austin, 90 miles away, but that will have a new team. So the value of paying full price for the 'relationship' in this case? Nil.
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redpcar
·This is why the 'establish a relationship with your OB' recommendation that you hear on OF will often count for nothing. Team members come and go, whole teams are replaced, or the OB permanently closed. My closest OB was San Antonio and although I never bought a watch from them I did buy a few straps and buckles over the years and was on a first name basis with the manager, very friendly staff. Around the first of the year the location closed and no longer appears on Omega's site. They are supposed to be opening an OB in Austin, 90 miles away, but that will have a new team. So the value of paying full price for the 'relationship' in this case? Nil.
The new Austin OB was supposed to open early Jan. Still nothing. I've been looking forward to it as it's less than a block from my office. Breitling OB is next door. It opened on time. Omega doesn't even look close. 🙁
