I wanted to get a Tag Heuer F1 chronograph for a daily work watch. In my search I found it on Watchmaxx for $400 less than others. I know this is a grey market dealer but I thought the savings was enough to justify the risk. Anyone has any experience and or thoughts on buying a watch from them?
Can’t speak to Watchmaxx, but I have used Alan Marcus (another grey market dealer)for a Hamilton Ventura in the 90s. No issues. I’m told that Tags get faked a lot FWIW, so I’d wait to see if anyone else chimes in.
Understand but please correct me if I'm wrong... The TAG authorized dealer warranty is only two years. A complete overhaul of this watch from the Tag site is $350. If by chance something went wrong within those two years the max I'd be out is $350 still leaving me plus $50 If it was a more expensive watch I'd no doubt go with an authorized dealer but at this lower price point the 25% savings seems to make sense. I'd much prefer a Carrera but I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing that day in and out in my line of work.
It has to do with them refusing to service grey market watches ever. You're taking a risk but with an AP or Rolex, it's far greater due to the cost. TBT, if you try you'll be able to save some money buying from an AD..
A bit off topic.... How does AP know it is a grey market watch? How does it become a grey market watch? AP sells to a dealer, then the dealer dumps them cheap below what they are allowed to sell them for? Glad I bought from an AD.
It's all about the the warranty card. Most dealers don't give them when they dump out the back for fear that the MFGR will pull the lines. Rolex and Breitling have been known to come back at dealers after 5 or more years if one of their "Shoppers" finds a watch on one of those sites. Rolex will even blackball customers for selling their own watches some times.
Interesting. So is that how Jomashop procures their watches? From ADs that are dumping them out the back?
A lot of their stuff is consigned to them but the owners keep them until they sell. They also have their own warranty of sorts.
Hmmmm.... I have sent watches to both AP and Rolex for out of warranty service. Never been refused and never been asked for a warranty card.
