IWC tour @ Schaffhausen Switzerland?

Hi - as I'm researching and getting quotes for the 5001-07 (Portuguese Automatic), I was wondering...

Does IWC offer tours at Schaffhausen? And can I buy a watch there? This isn't the limited edition, I'm just looking at the regular 5001-07.

It would be fun to make a vacation out of it (I'm in USA) and pick up the watch right at the source. The reason the thought came to mind is that as I find quotes, I come across online retailers whom I don't know anything about and are a bit weary of their reputations. I know I can get it from authorized dealers or IWC boutiques, but prices are much better on some of the online places.

Thanks in advance! If there have been other threads on this topic of IWC tour, feel free to just point me to them, I've been doing some search myself

Yes, tours are available (and I have heard only good things about them), but they have to be booked well in advance. I doubt, however, whether you'd be able to purchase a watch right at the factory.

In addition to the guided your, Schaffhausen has a museum open to the public during limited hours during the week.

Cheers!

Donald

IWC has a boutique as part of the factory, next to the Museum.

Thomas, if you want a tour they are hard to get and booked well in advance. But if you can give me a span of three consecutive days (but not a Monday, weekend, or holidays like Christmas week) I sometimes can help. Write me.

Michael - thank you so much for the offer! If/when we do decide on this, it will be such a treat to check out IWC (if I go through with the purchase of the Portuguese, still researching :-)

Thanks for all the help on this forum so far... love it!

THOMASAN, it's definately a doable - and highly recommended. The manufactory, the museum and boutique as well as the town itself are a treat to visit.

Go for it.

Best regards
Mark

I have a few questions for those of you who purchase your watches abroad and not at home with your AD.
1. Will all AD honor the IWC warranty?
2. Do you just wear the watch back home and do not pay taxes at customs OR you will have to report it and pay customs? (how do they calculate how much taxes you have to pay? is it the price on the receipt then the provincial and government tax?)
Most expensive thing that I bought abroad were only cameras or mobile phones but I was wondering what if I bought a watch during a trip, it will make the trip much more memorable... especially if it is an IWC.

Thanks