Buying a watch??

Why not just buy a nice Swiss watch for yourself and when someone admires it, you can remark casually, “yes, I bought it in Switzerland”.

PS I once worked for a man who imported expensive, luxury watches from Switzerland, for a couple of high end shops in Montreal.. The mark-up would take your breath away.

Unless you live in a sales tax free state, you might want to consider buying a watch overseas.

The $ is very strong against the € & £. Do research on which watches you like and if you find yourself going overseas, look at the exchange rate and if the $ is still strong, buy the watch on the way home at duty-free from your departing European airport. If the $ is falling, don’t do that.

I didn’t mention the CHF because I would think a watch is more expensive over there than in the US. I could be wrong.

In 2005, I got it in my head that a watch was the perfect souvenir of our trip to Switzerland. I bought an inexpensive "Swiss Military" brand watch at a store in Interlaken. It must have been pretty cheap since I bought the identical watch for a friend who was taking care of our dogs! That watch is still in style and still keeps perfect time. I have worn it practically every day for 14 years.

I might have found a comparable watch over here, but this one is special because it reminds me of a special day in Switzerland.

The prices will not be very much below US prices for large recognized brands. Rolex and the like adjust prices (and seriously control supply) to maintain consistency in pricing from country to country. What you may be able to do is find a relatively small boutique brand that is unheard of in the US.

Mass produced brands will be slightly cheaper and make a great souvenir.

If money is no object, you can custom build one in Zurich...

https://mauricedemauriac.ch/en/category/watches/

I love Swatches. I bought 2 during my layover in Geneva a couple months ago. The price was about 15% cheaper than in other European countries. There's no duty-free price on them, same price at the airport or in town, Switzerland or otherwise.

That watch is still in style and still keeps perfect time.

As far as I'm concerned, the latter is the only criteria for a watch.

all luxury good are cheaper in Europe as u get the VAT on them back. london airport is the cheapest - cheap being relative but i've saved a significant amount buying stuff there! i have heard Switzerland is the second after london.

but then you have to pay duty on the value beyond your allowance when you get home. Swings and roundabouts.