So my poor Jo Siffert has sat around in its box and I haven't given it any wrist time plus I really think it sits too tall on my wrist. I also have a couple other watches incoming and I think I have to sadly part ways with a piece I wanted to work so badly. I figured I would offer it here before posting it on the forums. I'm located in the US, please PM me if interested.
I received mine almost a week ago. I've been rather busy lately but just had the strap changed (thanks Mark), to the supplied leather. I personally much prefer this over the rice-grain bracelet. It suits the watch so well, and maintains that nice black contrast with the pure white dial. Sorry if these pictures are too big. Off the phone, I almost want to buy an SLR just to shoot these.
FedEx customs duty bill came in yesterday, for $120. At least it's not 10%! Anyone else get slapped or between this and the movement issues mine has am I just the luckiest Siffert buyer?
A couple years ago, I had to have my gallbladder removed as it was causing debilitating pain. Surgery was the only option, and I wasn't quite at the income level I am now... Even with (what passes for) great insurance, I had to pay $3000 out of pocket immediately - and then $100 here, $200 there for months afterwards as the hospital "found" new charges. Give me 20% import charges any day!
Swings and roundabouts. The secret to the US having low import costs is that they charge different rates for different components of the watch. So while the rates for some components are close to 10%, the movement is at a fixed price of less than $2. So, the brands are able to load value into the movement and give an overall lower rate of duty.
Another one reached the 'bay https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/222983946459
Did not know that! How do you mean load value into the movement though - do you mean declared value or are they moving to cheaper materials for the case, dial etc?
Finally got mine on the wrist today! The bracelet looked a lot better on my wrist than anticipated but went for the Heuerville strap nonetheless. Big thanks for the support David, very very pleased with it. Stumbled upon some JS collectibles in Basel as well.
The manufacturers provide the value of each component for US Customs- TAG Heuer assess the Heuer 02 as contributing CHF3875 of the total CHF5600 price. I don't know whether that is right or wrong, but the incentives are very clear..make sure that you attribute as much value to the movement as possible.
