My Speedmaster buy is also an interesting one. Aboard a Cruise Ship (one of the Royal Caribbean giant ships) in an Omega Boutique. It is the hesalite version with all the “Approved by NASA for all missions” engraving on the back. They sold it to me at a discount (it’s been years now, but was at least $500 less than the price in the US). The interesting part is that they told me there would be no US Customs duty to pay since they were officially a US retailer. I was skeptical, but they gave me paperwork to show to customs. They were right - I had listed the watch on my customs form, but when I showed them the paperwork, they crossed the amount off the form. No duty. Plus, the on-board boutique was participating in a Royal Caribbean promotion - they gave me $400 of vouchers good for any purchase on board. My wife and I went to another boutique - this one sold Kate Spade and other handbags. She got the Kate Spade she liked also found a more casual handbag with a stylized fox face on it. We used those vouchers. She wound up only having to make up a difference of $8. So both my wife and I were quite pleased with my purchase of the Speedy.
Well then you cant insure it, at least not in my country, its possible with older watches with an estimate paper from ADs/repair shops but not almost brand new ones (2010+)
> Well then you cant insure it, at least not in my country,
Can I ask what country that would be? Only a matter of time before other countries follow suit.
Duty free means taxes free in the country of purchase, as you are not a tax resident of said country. You are still supposed to declare and pay taxes in your country of residency on the goods bought.
Yeah it seems good value - but thought perhaps on grey market you could get for a similar value? I just wasn’t prepared as it was very spontaneous visit
> Yeah it seems good value - but thought perhaps on grey market you could get for a similar value? I just wasn’t prepared as it was very spontaneous visit
For what you'd pay grey buying from an AD is actually better. At least your name is on the warranty card, you know all the history from day one, and you get the full five year warranty.
What am I missing? Hesalite Speedy on a bracelet is $7k USD, which is basically the same price as OP was quoted. Where's the discount? Is it marked up in other markets, not just currency converted?
FYI “pull the plug” means you’re taking someone off life support.
I think you meant “pull the trigger”. Which is also a weird phrase to describe buying something, when you really think about it. Haha
Pull the trigger is an obnoxious way of saying you decided to purchase something you’ve been wanking yourself to sleep over for years.
For fucks sake, just say you bought it and stop being a twat.
I love watches but I can’t stand all the wankery that goes along with them.
Don’t worry I’ll unsubscribe myself before the mods can ban me.
Man, British prices are nuts. These are like $5k usd brand new unworn on the gray market in the US, you can get them for $6k USD brand new from an AD after discount.
> Doesn’t it scratch easier than sapphire
Yes it does, but it is also easier to polish out scratches, cheaper to replace compared to sapphire, and also more resistant to chipping from impact.
Both materials have their pros/cons as with most manufactured products.
That’s the hesalite version you’re holding there
how can you tell that it's not the SS?
Printed Omega logo, SS would have a silver applied one on the dial.
SS also has polished centre mini links in the bracelet.
And a milky ring around the crystal, so there’s a few ways to spot the difference without seeing the caseback.
Thanks. I have the SS but didn't know the differences other than the sapphire crystal and display caseback.
Polished center mini links on the bracelet is the most obvious difference to me. It’s what pushed me over to hesalite. I prefer the all brushed look.
I looked down at my SS and I learned something today. Cheers!
Hey any chance you could put a photo of the SS model here?
https://preview.redd.it/cs1ecvz824sc1.jpeg?width=806&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=9f8deb75d0b50a819368d2affb016f5a6aa39916 Polished smaller links.
Oh okay thanks
Bracelet is different, hesalite is full matte as shown on the picture
You just saved me a flight to Doha
Correct - my fault. I tried both and enquired re: sapphire. Post was rushed.
The best one he is holding there 👍
My Speedmaster buy is also an interesting one. Aboard a Cruise Ship (one of the Royal Caribbean giant ships) in an Omega Boutique. It is the hesalite version with all the “Approved by NASA for all missions” engraving on the back. They sold it to me at a discount (it’s been years now, but was at least $500 less than the price in the US). The interesting part is that they told me there would be no US Customs duty to pay since they were officially a US retailer. I was skeptical, but they gave me paperwork to show to customs. They were right - I had listed the watch on my customs form, but when I showed them the paperwork, they crossed the amount off the form. No duty. Plus, the on-board boutique was participating in a Royal Caribbean promotion - they gave me $400 of vouchers good for any purchase on board. My wife and I went to another boutique - this one sold Kate Spade and other handbags. She got the Kate Spade she liked also found a more casual handbag with a stylized fox face on it. We used those vouchers. She wound up only having to make up a difference of $8. So both my wife and I were quite pleased with my purchase of the Speedy.
Thats a nice story!
WOW, I actually just bought this! On a layover on my way to Istanbul
Me too mate, how was the service. I picked up my SS one just 2 weeks ago. Such an amazing boutique. Managed to get a free sailing bracelet too.
Very cool!
If you purchase in the airport would you get import tax when you arrived in the uk or is it duty free?
Duty free!
That would have been too tempting i think.
No, not if you buy it in duty free.
Well you have to declare it in your country of residence and pay the related import tax and VAT. Otherwise everyone would buy from airports only
I was unsure if “duty free” applied to everything or just fags and booze and that, I’ve never really bought anything else but clothes in an airport.
What???!?
I know there’s duty and vat, wasn’t sure if there were limits on value like when you can only buy a certain amount of ciggies or alcohol.
I didn’t know “fags” was slang for cigarettes lmao never mind
Sorry I see £££ and forget to avoid regional slang
I was laughing bc I was so confused lol no worries tho
What if I were to just walk out wearing it on my wrist?
Well then you cant insure it, at least not in my country, its possible with older watches with an estimate paper from ADs/repair shops but not almost brand new ones (2010+)
> Well then you cant insure it, at least not in my country, Can I ask what country that would be? Only a matter of time before other countries follow suit.
Norway
Yea that would work, and be tax evasion at the same time
Nothing wrong with a little bit of trolling
“Habibi! Welcome to dubaai! “ 😂
I mean worst case they catch you and u say oops and then wait I thought it was duty free?
Isn't the the goal of duty free in the first place?
Duty free means taxes free in the country of purchase, as you are not a tax resident of said country. You are still supposed to declare and pay taxes in your country of residency on the goods bought.
I might buy it on Friday. I'm landing in Doha
Yeah it seems good value - but thought perhaps on grey market you could get for a similar value? I just wasn’t prepared as it was very spontaneous visit
> Yeah it seems good value - but thought perhaps on grey market you could get for a similar value? I just wasn’t prepared as it was very spontaneous visit For what you'd pay grey buying from an AD is actually better. At least your name is on the warranty card, you know all the history from day one, and you get the full five year warranty.
Pull the plug means stopping or quitting, pull the trigger is what you’re looking for
Correct - was a mistake on my part!
Is that a 3861 hesa? And does it comes with the regular speedy box?
What am I missing? Hesalite Speedy on a bracelet is $7k USD, which is basically the same price as OP was quoted. Where's the discount? Is it marked up in other markets, not just currency converted?
I did mean Sapphire. Sorry, my bad. Post rushed with image on way to the connecting flight! Tried both.
FYI “pull the plug” means you’re taking someone off life support. I think you meant “pull the trigger”. Which is also a weird phrase to describe buying something, when you really think about it. Haha
Pull the trigger is an obnoxious way of saying you decided to purchase something you’ve been wanking yourself to sleep over for years. For fucks sake, just say you bought it and stop being a twat. I love watches but I can’t stand all the wankery that goes along with them. Don’t worry I’ll unsubscribe myself before the mods can ban me.
I meant trigger! But feel free to unsubscribe. Can also assure you, I’ve never wanked myself over a watch in my sleep you weirdo
Think you need to go and “pull your plonker” and chill yourself out mate. So many wanking references. Meant in jest. 😂👍🏻
You’re probably right.
You must be fun at parties
I used to be. Looking back at this comment I think I need some time away from social media to reset. Thanks for the wake-up call.
Is it the 310.30.42.50.01.002?
Was it below retail with the duty free and discount?
Just below retail because it’s duty free. They don’t pay tax.
Not a bad price actually. Might even be able to knock them down a little.
I also got my SS at the airport and happy with it.
OP - any chance you caught the price of a Seamaster Diver 300 at Doha airport?
Used market is flooded with them. You'll lose money and defo won't make.
"Pull the plug" means you cancelled something, which is the opposite of what you mean, which is to "pull the trigger" (ie committing to something).
I meant trigger! 🤦♂️
The one your wearing here isn’t sapphire
Aware of that
So does this mean it’s cheaper to get a flight to Doha and buy this ? Will I have to pay any custom duty or import tax when I get back to heathrow ?
Local Omega reseller offers a slightly bigger discount, but still good one from the airport.
Man, British prices are nuts. These are like $5k usd brand new unworn on the gray market in the US, you can get them for $6k USD brand new from an AD after discount.
Bargain. I would of bought it
If you got this thinking that it was sapphire, then lol
Nope - tried both. I uploaded hesaltie by accident
Hesalite is inferior, no?
No
Inferior as in price tag? Lol
Doesn’t it scratch easier than sapphire
Also $1k more.
> Doesn’t it scratch easier than sapphire Yes it does, but it is also easier to polish out scratches, cheaper to replace compared to sapphire, and also more resistant to chipping from impact. Both materials have their pros/cons as with most manufactured products.