Shopping for Watches

[worktotravel]

Hi, this is my first post, but have enjoyed getting lots of info. We are hoping that we might be able to get a good deal on a nice watch in Aruba. Has anyone shopped at Little Switzerland on this island? I believe we went to one in St. Thomas. How are the prices? Better or comparable to US? Thanks for any info. We leave end of Oct.

[stones902]

All of the chain stores such as Little Switzerland, Columbian Emerald, Diamonds International, etc. Have the same pricing for their stores no matter which island you are on. I have received better deals from other established stores in the Caribbean.

 

For what it is worth, if you are on a cruise I have done really well with watches at Majesty Jewelers in St. Maarten. It is on the ship's recommended list and they have always beat other stores pricing with a minimum of bartering. I would recommend them highly.

[Zark427]

Stones....

What brands did they sell at Majesty, do you remember??? In particular, I'm looking for Tag, Luminox, Bolova, and Wenger.

Thank you. :)

[jonikal]

We checked with this board several months before our cruise and are glad we did. We purchased a Rolex in St Thomas at Riis and got a great price and excellent service. If you don't find what you want at Riis, Little Switzerland is right next door.

[stones902]

I know they sell Seiko and Citizen. Also some upscale brands such at Tag, etc. Their website is http://www.majestyjewelers.com/

 

They have a decent, but not great selection of watches. Little Switzerland has more but if Majesty has what you want I would suggest that you compare prices at the very least.

 

You can also email them from their website to get pricing in advance.

 

Good luck

[pd933]

There are several jewelry shops in the mall across from where you dock. Most have a good selection. Have you tried a Aruba board like http://www.aruba-bb.com/ . They are very good for info about Aruba most of the post are from long time visitors to the island.

[CaribbeanBlue]

I would recommend Shiva's. You will want to talk with Kelly who owns the store. He is a bit of awatch nut and it is very evident when you walk into his store. He carries some of the finest collector watches in the world. Many are the ones you will not find in the states due to manufacturer restrictions. Aruba has to offer a wider selection of watches than most islands because of the eclectic tastes of their clients who come in from all over the world.

 

Buying a watch at Shiva's is more of an event than a purchase. They are listed among the "Top Jewelers of the World" Very much worth the time to stop in and experience the world of Horology.

 

CaribbeanBlue

http://www.*****.org

[TheBaghwan]

I intend to buy a Breitling watch while in the Southern Caribbean (Aruba, Curacao, St Martin and St, Thomas)since I will be making an investment of several thousand dollars I have been checking this out extensively. I attended a watch fair here in Seattle yesterday and spoke with Breitling factory representatives. I bcan get a seemingly decent price on the internet for the watch I want but I noticed the warranties are not a manufacturer warranty. I will only buy from an authorized dealer but there are dealers in every port. Little Switzerland and A.H. Riise are authorized Breitling dealers. Diamond International also carries the watches but I will not deal with them having heard to many horror stories on these poets about their diamonds. I talking with L.S. and Riise, you can expext to get 20% off the U.S. retail price. I have found a dealer in the U.S. that matches the Caribbean prices with a factory warranty and they carry other fine watches. You have to call them to get a price quote and they were very helpful. http://www.topperjewelers.com/. Another thing, I talked woth LS and if a port does not have the piece you want they can check the inventory at their other lacations but they will not hold it for you even with a deposit.

[CaribbeanBlue]

On our company website there is a lot of information about "gray market" watches. People think they are getting an incredible deal until they have a problem. Their "Rolex" ends up being a timex interior with a rolex looking exterior. Always purchase from those who are licensed by the manufacturer to carry their lines.

 

CaribbeanBlue

http://www.*****.org

[smoothdancer]

You have received some very good advise here. Although I love to browse in Little Swit. I would not purchase there. The prices simply are not as good as state side.

 

As other posters have advised, visit your local jewerler, and price shop. Once you develop a relationship with your local jewerler, you may find the prices are comparable, and service is local.

 

On the other hand some of my most valuable pieces of jewerly have been purchased in the Carabbiean. The gem stones are great quality, and often cannot touch the price for the same quality in the states. Key is, to know the value before you cruise. Be an informed shopper. Also educate yourself on what Islands you can and are expected to neogiate a price. Know your price before you leave.... do not let the vacation attitude make you purchase something you really cannot afford, and later will regret.

 

I have found in Aruba, there is offense taken to neogiation, while for example, in St Thomas, it is expected.

Good Luck, do scan a picture of your purchase for us to see.

 

Janet

[mconthehighseas]

I used to love Little Switzerland, but recently they have only dealt with high end brands, and I think their prices have become less competitive. Just my opinion.

 

We went to the mall across from the pier, like a previous posted mentioned. There was a store in there that was having a sale on His and Hers Movado watches, that our ship's shopping lady had recommended. We got there, and my husband decided he wanted something more traditional, and he went with a Longine's instead. I don't remember the shop's name, and can't find the info on it right now. But look at the stores recommended by your ship's shopping advisor. S/he should have the most recent info on who has good prices. S/he can also give you the name of a person to talk to in a particular shop, and you should get a good price.

[TheBaghwan]

The fact that LS has gone high end is probably due to them being acquired by Tiffany's about two years ago.

[JoeO]

Caveat Emptor!...Know before you go! Etc. Etc. Etc.

 

We are "Rado" watch nuts and shoppped St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Grand Cayman until we were bleary eyed but did not buy because the cheapest price was on the previous island.

 

We outsmarted ourselves and felt terrible about it.

 

When we told our son the story and gave him the make and model descriptions he bought the exact watches on Madison Avenue in NYC for the same lowest price we received on the islands.

 

I can tell you a similar story about digital cameras.

 

Be knowledgeable before you go!

 

Joe O

[worktotravel]

Thanks for all the good advice. We ended up purchasing just what we wanted at Little Switzerland. Funny story, we were referred to Gendelmans but the ship shopping guru. When we arrived, we were escorted down the street to another Gendelman location that sold the brand we were looking for. The gentleman that took us down was named Gustavo. He brought us down, introduced us to his very good friend, a salesman at the other store and left us in "his good hands." As we were talking to this new salesman, he kept calling my husband "Gustavo" At first we thought we heard it wrong, and finally he said, my name isnt Gustavo, it is Brad, Gustavo is the name of your "very good friend" that brought us down here. It was hilarious, and we decided no watch purchase from there. We had good service, less bs if you know what I mean, at Little Switzerland, and they got out business.