Frequently Asked Questions

Everything You Need to Know

What is Orion Private Wealth Consulting?

Orion is a private intermediary for clients seeking discreet, expert access to the world's finest assets β€” real estate, automobiles, and timepieces. We introduce, negotiate, and stay aligned with our clients throughout, across Dubai, the Swiss Alps, and the French Riviera.

How does your success-fee model work?

Orion operates on a pure success-fee basis. We earn a fee only when a transaction is completed on our client's behalf β€” nothing before, nothing regardless. Our interests are perfectly aligned with yours.

Which markets and asset categories do you cover?

We focus on three categories β€” luxury real estate, automobiles, and timepieces β€” across select geographies including Dubai and the wider UAE, the Engadin region of Switzerland, and the CΓ΄te d'Azur.

Is there a minimum transaction value to work with Orion?

Orion works by mandate, not by volume. Each engagement is considered individually, in a private conversation, to determine fit on both sides.

How confidential is the process?

Discretion is foundational to how we operate. We do not disclose client identities, do not publicize transaction details, and structure every mandate around privacy from first contact to closing.

Do you work directly with developers and dealers, or only as an intermediary?

Orion acts as an intermediary β€” we introduce clients to opportunities and negotiate on their behalf, drawing on direct relationships with select developers and dealers across every market we serve.

How do I begin a conversation with Orion?

Reach out directly through our contact page. Every engagement begins with a private conversation β€” no pressure, just a conversation about your goals.

Luxury Real Estate

Dubai and the UAE

Can a foreign national buy property in Dubai in full ownership?

Yes. In Dubai's designated freehold areas β€” including Palm Jumeirah, Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina, Dubai Hills Estate, and Emaar Beachfront β€” a foreign national can purchase in full freehold ownership, without a local sponsor or partner. Outside these areas, ownership remains reserved for GCC nationals or is structured as long-term leasehold.

Does buying property in Dubai qualify for the UAE Golden Visa?

A real estate investment of AED 2 million or more (roughly USD 545,000) qualifies for the UAE Golden Visa, a renewable 10-year residency permit with no employer sponsor required. It's important to distinguish the visa from tax residency: the latter has additional requirements and should be reviewed with your own tax advisor before the purchase.

Is it better to buy off-plan or a completed property in Dubai?

It depends on the investor's time horizon. Off-plan purchases come with staggered payment plans and greater appreciation potential in the early phases of a well-positioned project, but carry execution risk tied to the developer. Ready properties reduce that risk but require immediate capital. The developer's reputation and delivery track record remain the deciding factor either way.

What are the real costs, beyond the listed price, of buying property in Dubai?

Budget for the Dubai Land Department transfer fee (4% of the property value), agency commission (typically 2%), registration costs, and β€” for ready properties β€” utility transfer fees. On a premium property, these ancillary costs can add up to 6-7% of the total value.

How do you verify a developer's reliability in Dubai from abroad?

You need to verify registration with the Dubai Land Department, the developer's delivery history on prior projects, and the real escrow protection of payments made. These checks require presence and relationships on the ground, which is where an intermediary with direct market knowledge meaningfully reduces risk compared with a purchase managed entirely online.

What exactly does Orion do in the property purchase process, and how is it compensated?

Orion introduces clients to verified real estate opportunities before they reach broad distribution, and conducts preliminary verification on the developer, project status, and payment structure. Our model runs on success fees: we're compensated only when the transaction closes, aligning our interest with the client's from the first conversation.

Can you buy in Dubai without traveling there in person?

It's possible through power of attorney, but not advisable for a premium purchase without direct verification of the counterparty and, where possible, of the property itself. An intermediary with an established presence on the ground can conduct part of the due diligence on the client's behalf, but a visit for at least the final stage remains the more prudent practice.

Luxury and Collector Automobiles

Acquisition and Provenance

How is the provenance and authenticity of a collector automobile verified before purchase?

A solid provenance file includes the complete chain of ownership, factory authenticity certificates where available (Ferrari Classiche, Porsche Certificate of Authenticity), matching original chassis and engine numbers, and documentation of any restoration or structural work.

Is it possible to order a uniquely configured automobile directly from the manufacturer?

The most exclusive personalization programs (Ferrari, Bentley Mulliner, Rolls-Royce Bespoke) exist, but access isn't automatic. It typically requires a prior relationship with the manufacturer, a consistent purchase history, or an introduction through a channel with established credibility at the marque.

What are the customs and tax implications of importing a luxury automobile?

An automobile purchased outside your home market is subject to customs duty, plus import VAT or sales tax, and any homologation required for road use if the vehicle isn't already compliant with local standards. For pieces intended for display or track use, different customs regimes apply and should be evaluated before the purchase.

Is it better to buy a collector automobile at auction or through a private sale?

Auctions offer price transparency but come with meaningful buyer's premiums and the pressure of the moment. Private negotiation allows greater discretion and a more measured decision timeline, but requires direct access to qualified sellers. The right choice depends on the specific piece and the buyer's objectives, not a universal rule.

How is the correct value of a rare collector automobile established?

Value depends on provenance, the rarity of that specific configuration, condition relative to original specification, and market timing for that particular model, which can move independently of the broader collector market. An independent valuation, not tied to the seller, remains the most reliable benchmark.

What's the difference between working with a dealer and a private intermediary like Orion?

A dealer typically operates in the interest of the seller or its own inventory. A private intermediary works exclusively for the client, handling provenance verification, discreet negotiation, and access to bespoke configuration channels, with compensation on a success-fee basis tied to the transaction closing.

Luxury Timepieces

Authentication and Discreet Sale

How do you authenticate a vintage or rare watch before purchase?

Authentication means verifying movement, dial, case, and components against the original factory specification. Service certificates from the maison, an extract from the archives where available, and an independent check by a qualified watchmaker are the most reliable tools, not the original purchase invoice alone.

Is it possible to bypass boutique waitlists for the most sought-after models?

The official boutique waitlist is tied to a prior purchase relationship with that specific location, not to the chronological order of the request. The secondary market remains the most direct route to a piece wanted now, but comes with a premium over retail.

What's the best time to sell a piece from a watch collection?

It depends on the specific model more than on the broader market. Some references hold value steadily while others move through pronounced demand cycles, often tied to announced discontinuations or brand relaunches. An up-to-date valuation on the specific model is the right starting point.

How is discretion maintained when selling a private watch collection?

By avoiding public exposure of one's holdings, managing the negotiation with a small number of qualified buyers, and verifying counterparty solvency before proceeding. A private channel manages these aspects in a more controlled way than an open sale to the market.

What documentation is needed to insure a high-value watch?

You need an up-to-date professional valuation, renewed periodically since market values move, detailed photographs of case and movement, and original documentation stored separately from the piece itself. A dedicated policy is preferable to generic homeowner's coverage, which often imposes insufficient per-item caps.

What's the difference between buying from an authorized dealer and through a private intermediary?

An authorized dealer operates in the interest of the maison it represents. A private intermediary works exclusively for the client, from purchase through sale, with compensation tied to the transaction closing on terms the client approves.

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