A guide to purchasing Longines watches overseas

　　The price gap for watches between home and abroad is no secret, yetLonginesthe price difference approaching ten thousand yuan is rather excessive. Today, we present a guide to buying Longines watches overseas.

　　The widest selection of Swiss watch models

　　Switzerland is the primary destination many consider when purchasing a watch. Tian Xiaolin joined a European tour group with friends, and upon arriving in Switzerland, everyone in the group was eager to go watch shopping.

　　Tian Xiaolin lacked extensive watch-buying experience and was unsure whether purchasing a watch in Switzerland would actually be cheaper compared to other European countries. However, everyone in her tour group believed buying timepieces in their country of origin would be more affordable. Tian Xiaolin recalls that when browsing watches in Switzerland, what left the deepest impression was the sheer scale of the boutiques and their comprehensive inventories. Whether latest releases, older models from years past, perpetual calendars, or tourbillons, the shops could supply stock for all kinds of complications.

　　In Switzerland, even without buying a watch, visitors can have straps or other components replaced at local boutiques. This process provides an authentic Swiss experience delivered by Swiss craftsmen. According to Rolex guidelines, straps or dials can be replaced through official channels. If replacement parts are fitted outside of Switzerland, they may not originate from Switzerland, and customers certainly cannot benefit from Swiss craftsmanship.

　　LonginesDomestic and international price differences exceed ten thousand yuan

　　Although listed watch prices remain virtually identical across countries, the difference between European pricing and domestic prices is quite noticeable.

　　Goldsmiths is the largest watch retailer in the UK, with branches in almost every British city. The retail price for this year's new Longines DolceVita at Goldsmiths is 2080 pounds, which is approximately 22000 yuan. Meanwhile, the nationwide standard retail price for this watch in China is 34800 yuan. The pricing for the exact same watch differs by 12000 yuan.

　　However, the price gap for standard models is comparatively smaller. A basic entry-level Longines La Grande Classique is priced at 7700 yuan domestically, whereas the Goldsmiths price is 610 pounds, roughly equivalent to 6480 yuan, resulting in a domestic-international price difference of approximately 1200 yuan.

　　At a Longines direct boutique in Shenzhen, sales staff informed the Financial News Weekly reporter that they are the sole directly operated store in Shenzhen, with all prices set nationally and no promotional campaigns currently running; however, a 9.2 discount is available on all watch models.

　　Posters for the aforementioned new DolceVita model hang on the boutique's walls, and while the sales staff can look up the official price, the store has no stock on hand. "This watch is not yet available anywhere domestically; it's a new release from earlier this year. It probably won't reach the domestic market until the end of the year," relevant staff members told the Financial News Weekly reporter, noting that even early-year novelties typically do not debut domestically until late in the year.

　　Aside from direct brand boutiques, chain retailers constitute another major sales channel. A Hengjiwei market department employee told the Financial News Weekly reporter that Hengjiwei also operates a duty-free shop in Shenzhen, "though the watch selection in the duty-free shop is not as comprehensive as in the chain stores."