Best Stores To Purchase a Rolex Watch?

[Stephen Carter]

Does anyone believe purchasing a Rolex watch  is really cheaper in the Caribbean?  Which stores have you had a good experience?  A less that good experience?

[GregD]

Welcome to the blogs. While I have not been shopping for a Rolex, I feel the same rules for any high end items would apply. I would only shop at an authorized dealer so that you know what you are getting is the real deal. I also wouldn’t expect significant savings since the prices are regulated by Rolex. You may save some money on sales tax possibly, but coming back to the states you would(should) have to declare it and pay import duties which could eat into any sales tax savings. Research prices at home before going, then see how they compare. The money saved might not be worth the hassle of down the road you need service.

[mworkman]

We got our in St. Lucia and it was the best price i've seen in the Caribbean, However the wife forget her jewelry on the Allure that we just got off (26 Jan 20) and sad to say her Rolex was with it.  She's not too happy right now with herself 

[Fairlynew]

I hope she is able to recover her jewelry.

[function12]

Ultra Jewels in Cozumel was good before the craziness started 3-4 years ago.  I think everyone is going to have low stock.  Mexico does have a tax refund program but it takes a very very very long time.  6 months.  They will tell you otherwise.  Then you have the custom fees when you get back.

[Jill]

I would only buy from an authorized Rolex dealer. You can find them on their website. I bought mine back in 1994 at John Bull in St Thomas. No longer a Rolex dealer on St Thomas. 

Price the watch you want at home, then compare when you travel. There are still a few dealers in the Caribbean. I’ve not filled out a declaration form with customs in several years. In October we just walked up to customs agent, he held iPad to my face and confirmed identity. Walked right out. 

Even when we bought my watch 25 years ago, I just walked through customs. My husband on the other hand was stopped and his watch was already 5 years old! Lol 

 

[Stephen Carter]

48 minutes ago, Jill said:

I would only buy from an authorized Rolex dealer. You can find them on their website. I bought mine back in 1994 at John Bull in St Thomas. No longer a Rolex dealer on St Thomas. 

Price the watch you want at home, then compare when you travel. There are still a few dealers in the Caribbean. I’ve not filled out a declaration form with customs in several years. In October we just walked up to customs agent, he held iPad to my face and confirmed identity. Walked right out. 

Even when we bought my watch 25 years ago, I just walked through customs. My husband on the other hand was stopped and his watch was already 5 years old! Lol 

 

Jill.  Thank you for your response regarding the watch. Everything changes. My travelling partner and I each purchased a Rolex we were instructed to go see customs just after the ship docked in Miami, the request was for all passengers who thought they might have duties to pay. We thought they would verify the model number of the watch and the amount paid for the watch.  As it turned out not all parts of the watch are taxable. We were very surprised. We thank them paid about 50% less than we thought would be required and left the area.

Thank you again.

Stephen

[tonyfsu21]

AH Riise in St Thomas. Important to note, if your looking for any (and I mean any) stainless steel sports model Rolex you will be disappointed as they are 100% unavailable anywhere in the world. You will see a display case full of date just models only. Also important to mention, Rolex offers no discounts but you will save on the tax. Good luck. 

 

[tonyfsu21]

6 hours ago, Jill said:

I would only buy from an authorized Rolex dealer. You can find them on their website. I bought mine back in 1994 at John Bull in St Thomas. No longer a Rolex dealer on St Thomas. 

Price the watch you want at home, then compare when you travel. There are still a few dealers in the Caribbean. I’ve not filled out a declaration form with customs in several years. In October we just walked up to customs agent, he held iPad to my face and confirmed identity. Walked right out. 

Even when we bought my watch 25 years ago, I just walked through customs. My husband on the other hand was stopped and his watch was already 5 years old! Lol 

 

AH Riise is a huge Rolex dealer & located downtown. 

[tonyfsu21]

21 hours ago, Stephen Carter said:

Does anyone believe purchasing a Rolex watch  is really cheaper in the Caribbean?  Which stores have you had a good experience?  A less that good experience?

Stephen-

If you want to purchase a Rolex & are looking for any of the highly desirable sports models I would suggest the following:

1. Start a relationship w/ an Authorized Dealer and purchase multiple watches and get on a waiting list. Normally if you purchase a gold or multiple gold Rolex watches the more desirable SS sports models will be offered to you. 
 

2. Purchase from a trusted Grey Market seller but pay a premium and get the watch via next day air. 
 

I have done both but prefer to purchase from either:

David SW 

AKA Takuya

Google both and do your research. I am an avid Rolex wristwatch collector and can help you with any questions.  

[mworkman]

Wife had be reconnected with her jewelry. 

[Fairlynew]

1 hour ago, mworkman said:

Wife had be reconnected with her jewelry. 

I assume this means that it was found!  Great News!  Thanks for the update.

[KaiaPerkins]

Hey Stephen! Thanks for sharing your insights. Building that relationship with an Authorized Dealer seems like the way to go if you're eyeing those elusive Rolex sports models. But hey, have you ever considered exploring options in the Caribbean? Wonder if it's really cheaper there.

[tonyfsu21]

Only savings on Rolex will be the sales tax. Even now in 2024, no sports models available at the authorized dealer.  

[WAYNO]

Whoops, I didn't realize it was an old thread, resurrected.  I will bow out...

[tonyfsu21]

57 minutes ago, WAYNO said:

Unless you are truly an expert buyer, I would buy no upper end watches or jewelry in the Caribbean.  We have seen some real crap being offered for extremely high prices. 

Authorized dealers only. I would hope the OP wouldn’t be looking for a $79 replica in the straw market. 

[smokeybandit]

Most unexpectedly still alive thread on this forum.

[ZBrady]

Bot account, me thinks 

[williamperry]

Well, buying a Rolex in the Caribbean can indeed offer some savings due to duty-free zones, but it's essential to do your research.

[tonyfsu21]

2 hours ago, williamperry said:

Well, buying a Rolex in the Caribbean can indeed offer some savings due to duty-free zones, but it's essential to do your research.

There’s not a whole lot of research to do other than the location of an authorized Rolex dealer on whatever island the ship is visiting. Rolex very carefully selects their authorized dealer network and the price is the price (minus the tax savings). If someone thinks buying a Rolex in a side alley shop in Nassau is a good idea then they will absolutely get hosed and end up purchasing a counterfeit Rolex watch. It hardly matters though as the authorized dealers display cases are either filled with “display only” models or are completely empty. The Rolex market (especially for the stainless steel sports models) is still very strong. The probability of an average Joe walking into a Rolex dealer and walking out with a desirable model is .00001%. My information is based on two decades worth of Rolex watch collecting. Good luck. 

[function12]

Please do NOT buy one on the ship!!!

[tonyfsu21]

47 minutes ago, function12 said:

Please do NOT buy one on the ship!!!

Unless you really enjoy overpaying for an old and undesirable reference Rolex. Even the gentlemen who purchased the $100k gold Royal Caribbean cup wouldn’t dare waste his pile of cash on one of the ships embarrassing pre owned Rolex offerings! 

[ZootTX]

On 5/23/2024 at 11:55 PM, ZBrady said:

Bot account, me thinks 

Their 2 posts sound very chat GPT ish for sure

[williamperry]

Well, buying a Rolex in the Caribbean can indeed offer some savings due to duty-free zones, but it's essential to do your research. I've heard positive experiences from friends who purchased theirs in places like  St. Thomas or Aruba. However, like any big purchase, it's crucial to shop around and ensure authenticity. Also, I recently came across some finely crafted Patek Philippe replicas that look remarkably close to the originals. It might be worth considering if you're looking for a luxurious option without the hefty price tag. Check them out here: https://replicapatekphilippe.io

[tonyfsu21]

The two choices at major stops are listed below. It’s important to note you won’t find a Rolex here to purchase unless it’s a less desirable model (certain ladies Datejust exc). No stainless sports models available. Anyone visiting either location recently can check me on that and validate. Yes, you will see a display case full of Rolex watches but they will be marked “display only” and are not for sale. 
 

Rolex Boutique: Crystal Court inside Atlantis Hotel Paradise Island, Bahamas.

 

Rolex Boutique: AH Riise, St Thomas

 

Good luck

 

  

[Carlos A.]

On 6/7/2024 at 8:58 AM, tonyfsu21 said:

Unless you really enjoy overpaying for an old and undesirable reference Rolex. Even the gentlemen who purchased the $100k gold Royal Caribbean cup wouldn’t dare waste his pile of cash on one of the ships embarrassing pre owned Rolex offerings! 

Also, you will be flagged by RCCL to CBP and have a secondary inspection so you will pay more taxes.

[tonyfsu21]

41 minutes ago, Carlos A. said:

Also, you will be flagged by RCCL to CBP and have a secondary inspection so you will pay more taxes.

Yes, this is 100% true. If you make a large purchase onboard you can be certain that RCCL red flags you to CBP and they will be waiting for you. I made the mistake once buying some jewelry at the Regalia and got the surprise when we left the ship.