The Watch Appreciation Thread (Reviews and Photos of Men's Timepieces by Rolex, Patek Philippe, Brei

[Dino944]



You can definitely do that. It is my understanding you can import a single Rolex on your person back into the country.

Yes, that is correct. You can bring one Rolex back home to the U.S. from overseas on your person. If you ship a Rolex rather than bringing it back on your person, it can be confiscated and you the you are Out the watch & the money!

To the OP, as CHRK33 said I also wouldn't feel comfortable trying to ship/import a Rolex due to the very strict customs policies that exist with Rolex. Also, technically as has been stated the warranty is void if a watch is purchased through a place that is not an authorized dealer. You may never have a warranty issue, you may even get by using the warranty, but if you don't and the watch needs a repair any savings you think you are getting could be lost. We all have different levels of risk aversion, and you have to decide what is best for yourself. Good luck!

 

[TheWraith]

^ Thank goodness Australia isn't like the above!

 

[Dino944]



Dino has given others warning as well and I think he knows someone who had issues with importing a Rolex.  I'll be in Paris in January but there is no way the wife will let me cop one unless the exchange rate gets to 1:1...

Hi JB,

It's incumbent upon any buyer to make sure they know the laws regarding importation of a Rolex into a foreign country. We all have our own levels of risk aversion and maybe for some it's worth the risk. I pay enough in taxes that I wouldn't want to personally choose a Rolex for "Uncle Sam" to keep.

Also if buying a new watch I like to have an unquestionably valid warranty, especially on a chronograph. I knew a guy that bought a Royal Oak chronograph from a non-authorized watch dealer (it came with boxes & papers). A short time after the purchase there was a problem. He brought it to AP for what he believed was a warranty covered repair. Some how AP figured out the watch wasn't purchased from an authorized AP dealer and they refused to honor the warranty. By the time he got the repair charge from AP for fixing the movement, it greatly exceeded the what he had saved by purchasing from a gray dealer rather than an AD. He said that one experience was enough to keep him from buying another watch from a gray dealer. Obviously, that doesn't happen to everyone, but it left a sour taste in his mouth regarding doing business in the future with a non-AD.

 

[academe]



Hi JB,

It's incumbent upon any buyer to make sure they know the laws regarding importation of a Rolex into a foreign country. We all have our own levels of risk aversion and maybe for some it's worth the risk. I pay enough in taxes that I wouldn't want to personally choose a Rolex for "Uncle Sam" to keep.

Also if buying a new watch I like to have an unquestionably valid warranty, especially on a chronograph. I knew a guy that bought a Royal Oak chronograph from a non-authorized watch dealer (it came with boxes & papers). A short time after the purchase there was a problem. He brought it to AP for what he believed was a warranty covered repair. Some how AP figured out the watch wasn't purchased from an authorized AP dealer and they refused to honor the warranty. By the time he got the repair charge from AP for fixing the movement, it greatly exceeded the what he had saved by purchasing from a gray dealer rather than an AD. He said that one experience was enough to keep him from buying another watch from a gray dealer. Obviously, that doesn't happen to everyone, but it left a sour taste in his mouth regarding doing business in the future with a non-AD.

Dino: Fully on the same page with you regarding the warranty. When I first got my RO Dualtime, it started losing time and I had to send it back to AP to diagnose and fix the problem. About 1 year later, I accidentally magnetised my watch (I had a mass spectrometer in my lab, and had gotten too close to the huge magnet in the instrument - stupid me!). Again it went back to AP. They were nice enough to not only demagnetise the watch as originally requested, but also gave the movement a full service, just for thoroughness. As both these incidents were within in my 3 year warranty period, everything got taken care of easily. Not sure I would have done if I had if I didn't have a warranty - AP services run around CHF1K, so I could have potentially be down a further CHF2K!

 

[UnFacconable]

Thanks guys. I'm surprised that US customs would confiscate a Rolex - is it considered contraband? Interested to hear how Rolex pulls it off. In terms of my situation, sounds like the only workable solution would be to have our friend pick it up if I can locate one from an AD in Madrid this week. I'm going to see what I can do.

 

[Dandy Wonka]

Are you guys seriously saying that US Customs is aware of the international distribution agreements of every supplier of every product in the world and, if so, they enforce them for said suppliers?

 

[no frills]



Are you guys seriously saying that US Customs is aware of the international distribution agreements of every supplier of every product in the world and, if so, they enforce them for said suppliers?

Where was this blanket statement about every supplier of every product in the world written down in this thread? Or is this an extrapolation?

You are welcome to try your luck with getting a Rolex through US Customs.

 

[Tried and True]

Yes Sir, Mr. Customs Agent, these are my personal watches.

 

[zippyh]

I seem to recall Cartier trying to get similar import protections as well. I don't know if anything came of that.

 

[Lowndes]

Picked up a Rolex Explorer II (white dial) and a Casio G Shock today. My collection is coming along nicely now considering the only watch I owned a week ago was a Seiko SARB031. Right now I've got the three mentioned above and a JLC Master Control Chronograph. I want to get a vintage Omega as a more formal watch now. Once I find that I should have a nice collection that will get me through almost any situation.

On another note do you guys like watch winders? I'm thinking about getting one but not sure if they are bad for the watch or not. Seems to be a lot of differing opinions out there.

 

[Allez Allez]

I could see customs imposing a duty, but I can't see what basis they have for confiscating a watch. Maybe if you don't declare it.

 

[Lowndes]



I could see customs imposing a duty, but I can't see what basis they have for confiscating a watch. Maybe if you don't declare it.

I agree, not sure what their basis would be? Certainly they could confiscate a fake Rolex but that isn't what we are talking about. As an individual violating a company's distribution agreement isn't illegal.

Edit: I looked into it a bit more and it is actually a trademark violation which is why customs can confiscate them. Interesting as I wouldn't have thought that.

 

[Dandy Wonka]



Where was this blanket statement about every supplier of every product in the world written down in this thread? Or is this an extrapolation?

You are welcome to try your luck with getting a Rolex through US Customs.

1. I wouldn't buy a Rolex.

2. I don't live in the U.S.

3. I find it amazing but, then again, I find many things amazing.

 

[Taylorstav]

 

[academe]



Picked up a Rolex Explorer II (white dial) and a Casio G Shock today. My collection is coming along nicely now considering the only watch I owned a week ago was a Seiko SARB031. Right now I've got the three mentioned above and a JLC Master Control Chronograph. I want to get a vintage Omega as a more formal watch now. Once I find that I should have a nice collection that will get me through almost any situation.

On another note do you guys like watch winders? I'm thinking about getting one but not sure if they are bad for the watch or not. Seems to be a lot of differing opinions out there.

Pics of your entire collection or it didn't happen

. But seriously, congratulations! Nice way to end your year.