I will be travelling to Spain soon and I want to give my wife a cartier watch. Does anyone know if it is better to buy it in Europe or if it comes out cheaper in the U.S.? Serious answers only please.
I need advice for a cartier watch?
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I think you would be better off getting it in Europe….. more choices…… Just bought a watch in Germany that I had never seen here before….
That depends on where you shop for the watch. By going to a Cartier store, you are probably going to find a wider selection of models ( some made for that region of the world only ), as opposed to a Duty Free Store, which "may" offer you a lower price, but the selection is poor in comparison. And remember, with the exchange rates as they are now in Europe ( euro vs dollar ), you may end up paying a premium over there. If you have a certain model or style in mind, give Cartier a call. Usually they will work with you if you tell them you intend to buy elsewhere overseas. And be careful with grey market watches. Although most dealers have the legit item, manufacturers of high end luxury goods may not honor the warranty. Do your homework. Its a major purchase.
I own several Cartier watches, and I’ve bought my lovers Cartier watches, bracelets and rings. My favorite watch is their "Tank Louis Cartier" introduced in 1922, but I also love the "Santos Dumont" designed in 1904. I have a French watch almanac from last year. Prices are in euros. Comparing them to USA prices indicate that many brands were somewhat cheaper in Europe based upon the exchange rates between dollar and euro. If you buy something as costly as a Cartier watch, the customs will charge much to bring it into the USA. My "Tank LC" cost $5600, and my gal’s cost $4150 in 1996. Silver quartz ones cost $1250 ladies or $1300 men then. Cartier’s costliest watch is the "Tank Francais Riviere" with 54 carats of diamonds that cost $547,000 a few years ago. I’ve lived about 1.6 blocks from Cartier of San Francisco. I have many of their catalogs. Which watch do you want to buy for your wife? I’d say buy it here.
Take your wife to a Cartier store. Let her choose what she wants. After all she is the one who is going to wear it. But if you are on a budget I know a wholesaler in Los Angeles, CA which will give you original Cartiers for about 30% less and no tax if you leave outside CA. Email me if you need their phone no.