Has anyone ever bought a Tag Heuer watch on the ship?

[Karamel2373]

We're cruising on Voyager on October 21 and wanted to surprise hubby with a Tag watch. I saw RCCL advertises up to 25% off regular prices on the ships and was wondering if it's worth it to wait!

[mauraoel]

I thought what I paid was a really good deal. I know they aren't the same brand but I think the discounts are the same.

 

On a side note... Laugh if you want it wasn't funny at the time! (Well yes it was). I had to buy a watch. I go crazy with out a watch on my wrist and went two days without one after the first day before sail away I accidently (some would debate this) jumped into the pool with my watch on. I swear that I didn't do it on purpose!!!:o I knew it wasn't water proof and was commenting that I needed to get something new because it couldn't even wash my hands with out getting a little moisture in the darn thing.

 

Oh well I love my new watch and am really glad that I HAD to buy it.

 

Maura

[powelweb]

DH bought a tag several years ago- he had saved several hundred $ over the US prices we researched before we left.

 

good luck!

[little britain]

I got a Tag on my NCL cruise in February. The UK cost is £1250 and I paid equiv of £730 so that is a bigger saving than 25%!! My maths make it s 42% discount. Just kept going back every day and haggled to get that price down!

[peteukmcr]

Hi, I didn't buy a TAG (bit over my budget), but just to say I believe I got a good deal on mine on Navigator last year and the staff adjusted the bracelet without any fuss and in time for formal dinner that night - job well done!

So, even though I can't comment on TAG prices (I know that's what the OP needs to know), I think the service is great.

[sas80]

I have heard that TAG watches require a specific contract of maintenance to be fulfilled by the purchaser in order for the warranty to remain valid. This schedule of maintenance does involve spending $$ on the actual maintenance itself.

 

If that raises your eyebrows then I would check into it.

 

However, what I always do before I sail is research the item I want to make sure I am getting the best deal. Bring a price list with you to compare. Then you know you are getting a deal!

 

Happy Sailing!

[EggDropErin]

DH got a Tag from his parents as a birthday present. It was bought onboard an RCI ship. They wouldn't tell him what they paid...but they did tell him it was much better than they would have done if they bought it here in the states.

[TikiTom]

I purchased a TAG about 12 years ago stateside and yes they do require maintenance to keep the certification for diving and if I recall correctly it was about $150 to do the service. I also have a Rolex...1959 Thunderbird that was my Dads and I had to replace the crown and stem, get new hands and a new face. It had to be sent to Dallas to Rolex. About fainted at the cost. $750 six years ago. The more expensive the watch the more expensive the service. My TAG is great and virtually indestructible...I always take it when we cruise because it's a great snorkeling/rough use watch.

[sas80]

I purchased a TAG about 12 years ago stateside and yes they do require maintenance to keep the certification for diving and if I recall correctly it was about $150 to do the service. I also have a Rolex...1959 Thunderbird that was my Dads and I had to replace the crown and stem, get new hands and a new face. It had to be sent to Dallas to Rolex. About fainted at the cost. $750 six years ago. The more expensive the watch the more expensive the service. My TAG is great and virtually indestructible...I always take it when we cruise because it's a great snorkeling/rough use watch.

 

Darn! And I was going to do some rolex comaprison shopping for our next cruise!!!

[TikiTom]

I think a Rolex is a great timepiece...this one has been running since 1959 except for the maintenance. John Bull in Nassau has a vast assortment of Rolex watches...not sure if they're cheaper though. I bought my wife a Raymond Weil gold-stainless watch in Nassau and saved about 150 bucks on it. Check U.S. prices and then make the call.

[mandm2]

This past April during our EOS cruise, I purchased a TAG watch for both myself and my husband. My husband's TAG was purchased at a very large jewelry store in San Juan (can't recall the name of the shop--begins with a "B") and his was purchased for $950 (was a $1400.00 watch--we checked in the US at Ross-Simons, a pretty well known jeweler and official TAG carrier, in RI). Mine was purchased at an authorized TAG jewelry store in St. Thomas. It's the women's aqua-racer with a light-blue mother of pearl face and I bought it for $750 (retails in the US for $1195.00). We bought the certification/warranty for both and registered the watches on the TAG website when we got home. I think we got great deals and we are both really happy with our watches.

[TikiTom]

I haven't sailed since 2004. Are more expensive watches available on RCI ships?

[MGoBlue2]

I have heard that TAG watches require a specific contract of maintenance to be fulfilled by the purchaser in order for the warranty to remain valid. This schedule of maintenance does involve spending $$ on the actual maintenance itself.

 

If that raises your eyebrows then I would check into it.

 

However, what I always do before I sail is research the item I want to make sure I am getting the best deal. Bring a price list with you to compare. Then you know you are getting a deal!

 

Happy Sailing!

Including sending it in for battery replacement, if you want all the warranties to stay valid.

[<M&M>]

I can't comment on Tag watches, out of my leauge... But the best advice I can give is to know exactly what the stateside sale price is. I own a Swiss Army watch, I saw the identical watch on sale on ship and in a few stores in St Thomas and St Maarten, in all cases the best price they could offer me was $30-$50 more than I paid ($190) in the mall with a coupon... So I am sure there are good dals out there, just make sure you know the price don't assume anything.

[cruizeblues]

My husband looked at one on the AOS in August. Mid-week they had a watch sale on the top-end watches. Don't be afraid to haggle with the sales person, the advertised sale price was a 20% discount, and our guy came down and additional 10% plus was going to throw in a Mount Blanc pen $500 value) if we purchased the watch that evening. I can't remember the exact price but my husband said that it was about $600 less than you would spend at home. Still more than we wanted to pay--maybe next time...:)

[patrickc]

I bought the basic mens stainless / all silver professional 2 years ago in St. Thomas at Little Switzerland (they're affiliated with Tiffany for any service) & it was cheaper than on the ship. It was a nice memory-- and it was with my winnings from the casino on Galaxy! But- if you need a battery last minute, you can't go to any jewelry store because it nullifies the warranty/ isn't pressurized properly. But- are you really going to dive down 200 meters? Have fun!

[wingawh]

I was on the Navigator last week and was in search of a TAG. I priced the ones onboard and was able to get a better price in St. Marteen at Goldfinger. I made the purchase at Goldfinger. The prices in St Thomas and St Marteen were better than on the ship. I tried ot haggle with the people on board but they were not interested in talking.

[Lou33]

Overstock.com has good prices for TAG watches (and other jewelry). They sell TAGS for about 30% off, no sales tax, and they have a refund policy. Their selection will vary though. Take a print out from overstock on the cruise, and if they can do better, then you know it is a good deal. I don't think you will find a better deal though.

[diamond girl 000]

Hi, I'm a fellow cruise addict and also a professional jeweler. I sold Tag Heuer for 8 years and was trained on product and policy by their company. Between DH and myself we have TAG timepieces that most dealers have never even seen. Some things to keep in mind - TAG, and all the other big name watch companies, set the discount parameters...not the retailer. Yes, there is a certain amount of service that goes along with owning a high-end timepiece. If you own a Mercedes it costs more to service than a Ford - it also breaks down less. As far as water resistance, keep the crown screwed down and the watch will rarely fail you. 200 meters is the stated resistance but does not mean that you can dive 200m with it. It all has to do with pressure. TAG does not charge for their warranty! If the retailer wants to charge you for it - RUN. The warranty is international, 2 years and covers everything except cosmetic damage, unusual wear and tear (destruction) and the sometimes - but not always - the crown. The benefit to buying on the ship is that they turn their inventory really quickly. You're not buying a watch that has been sitting on the shelf for 2 years. We were on Adventure B2B in August and watched the inventory disappear - both weeks. There was no backstock. The second week they only had 2 ladies watches! By the way, I'd love to know where on the ship they were carrying MontBlanc. I didn't see it - I may have left with a new MontBlanc watch! :)

Hope this helps clear up some confusion.

[cruizinrican]

We bought a Tag in 2000 on the VOS and like most had researched prices before and found that we got alittle over 40% savings from on land in US. My husband loves it and gets compliments when every he wears it!

[mark290]

Any advice on a good deal for Rolex ? Do they sell them on board ?

I will be on Mariner with stops in Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios.

 

Thanks

[PH8]

No Rolexes on board.........I know there is a shop in Grand Cayman,but dont know the name.......

 

Ocho is not a place I would buy a Rolex.............

 

Not sure about Cozumel cuz it has been awhile since we have been there and looked.............

 

Unfortunatley,Rolex raised their prices Oct 1st,this year.......

 

Sorry,Im not much help........

[cruizeblues]

Hi, I'm a fellow cruise addict and also a professional jeweler. I sold Tag Heuer for 8 years and was trained on product and policy by their company. Between DH and myself we have TAG timepieces that most dealers have never even seen. Some things to keep in mind - TAG, and all the other big name watch companies, set the discount parameters...not the retailer. Yes, there is a certain amount of service that goes along with owning a high-end timepiece. If you own a Mercedes it costs more to service than a Ford - it also breaks down less. As far as water resistance, keep the crown screwed down and the watch will rarely fail you. 200 meters is the stated resistance but does not mean that you can dive 200m with it. It all has to do with pressure. TAG does not charge for their warranty! If the retailer wants to charge you for it - RUN. The warranty is international, 2 years and covers everything except cosmetic damage, unusual wear and tear (destruction) and the sometimes - but not always - the crown. The benefit to buying on the ship is that they turn their inventory really quickly. You're not buying a watch that has been sitting on the shelf for 2 years. We were on Adventure B2B in August and watched the inventory disappear - both weeks. There was no backstock. The second week they only had 2 ladies watches! By the way, I'd love to know where on the ship they were carrying MontBlanc. I didn't see it - I may have left with a new MontBlanc watch! :)

Hope this helps clear up some confusion.

 

They were not selling the MontBlanc pen, the sales man was offering it free as incentive to buy the watch--I think that he pulled it out of the same case as the TAG watches--they were not on display.

[cb at sea]

The best thing to do before purchasing ANY jewelry is to price what you want here at home. Then, when you're on the ship, you'll know if you're getting a "bargain"!

[IMNiles]

I bought a TAG in St Thomas from an authorized dealer, and paid a bit less than what the ship wanted, which was substantially less than retail in the states, and about the same as I would pay a non-authorized dealer. I feel I got a good deal.