Buying a watch abroad at a non-AD

Hi everyone

I'm new to this forum, so my apologies if this question has potentially been asked before. I couldn't find any related topic that would answer my question, therefore I'm opening this thread hoping for some advice.

I plan on buying a new Portugieser Automatic (5001) and it will be my first "real" watch. I've done quite some research on the web to find a good deal and have come across a dealer in Germany that sells exactly the watch I'm looking for at a fair price. The dealer seems to be legitimate and has been around for many years but is not an IWC AD.

Now here are the questions I'm asking myself that hopefully you'll be able to help with:

1) What documents must the dealer present to me to be sure that the watch is both new and an original?
2) What impact will the fact that the dealer is no AD have on my possession of the watch after I bought it, e.g. in terms of any issues, warranty and maintenance?
3) If there's an issue with the watch, do I need to see this particular dealer or can I take the watch to any dealer (AD) of my choice? I live in Switzerland and wouldn't want to travel to Germany for that matter.

Is there anything else I need to take into consideration when buying this particular watch abroad?

Thanks for your help. Can't wait to get my hands on this stunningly beautiful watch.

I would say, a genuine guarantee/service card, with the right watch number on it, suffices. If an issue arises, that card should give you any help you need at any dealer that may help, for instance a genuine IWC AD. But I must say, the genuine IWC AD is a real guarantee that the watch is 100% OK to start with. That doesn't say other dealers are not OK, but the perceived risk must be balanced against the price you pay. I my self don't like risks for this kind of money.

Kind regards,
Paul

Keep in mind that any non-authorized dealer technically is selling a used watch. It perhaps appears or may have been unworn, but the non-authorized dealer had to get the watch, somewhere and secondhand. It was either from an authorized dealer or customer who resold the watch to him. IWC would not have sold the watch to him directly in the first instance.

So --it may be OK, and it may appear unworn, but the price hopefully accounts for that risk. In my opinion that's a gamble I'd prefer not to take.

Thank you for your comments and for sharing your thoughts. I got a glimpse at the service card and date it was issued was more than 8 moths ago. So I guess what Michael was saying is accurate. The watch may be unworn but not new in that sense.

In that case I will keep my eyes open for other options. Does anyone have any experience how much discount I should be granted (average) for a watch like this when buying it at a Swiss AD?

Because we need to be non-commercial, specific discounts, etc., aren't forum topics. But if you leave an e-mail address hopefully someone will contact you privately.

I just purchased iw37704 from an AD yesterday. There is no stamp and AD signature on the guarantee card. Will it be recognized by IWC?
I also found the hologram looks like fake because 2 character "A" of the word "SCAFUSIA" is not clear. Could you do me a favor to compare it with your hologram? I really worried about it. Could you do me a favor to compare it with your hologram? Thanks in advance.

I bought a brand new IWC 377704 from an authorised IWC dealer in Sydney last weekend after nearly coming very unstuck when I thought I had purchased a genuine "used" one from a supposed dealer on a reputable watch website in the US. After purchasing the watch I got suspicious as the seller had a yahoo email address yer was supposed to be a watch dealer. Cut and long story short, as soon as the watch cleared customs I went straight to IWC in Sydney and they confirmed it was fake but they had to open it up to confirm.

I was naturally horrified, got in touch with the seller and PayPal. Seller claimed he didn't know and refunded me (amazingly) but my suspicion is that it's a numbers game, one out of two may check. Anyway, I was very lucky and I got my money back although, I did have peace of mind through PayPal would refund otherwise (maybe).

Anyway, after that lucky escape I bought a brand new one from an AD in Sydney obviously a few grand extra but at least it's real. I have to say, it was scary because I really could not tell the difference between the fake and real one - how the hell are people getting away with selling these quality fakes? It's like they are stealing the body's from IWC and sticking in cheap inner parts they were that good.

I have to be hones,t I nearly didn't buy a genuine one or an IWC for that matter because the fakes tarnished the fact i feel people will just think it's fake but I loved it too much and in the end I know mine is genuine and that is all that cares.

I'm glad you got your new IWC in the end.
But the few grand less that you paid for the e-purchase should have been a BIG warning that all was not well!

This is a rather interesting topic, first and foremost, if you live in Switzerland, I believe you could purchase it from IWC boutiques or any of the ADs in Switzerland. After all the watch is from Switzerland.

If price point is a concern, how much saving are we talking about for a brand new watch? Is the saving worth taking the risk, after all there are many 5001s around for a used one in mint condition from reputable source including some forum friends, maybe that could save some grands as compare to a brand new.

I think it is too good to be true if you think you could save significantly for a brand new piece from any ADs.