Hawaiian Vacation - Where to buy watch?

[RollieNZ]

Hi Guys,

I apologise in advance if this subject has already been covered in any recent posts.

I'm travelling to Honolulu (more accurately Waikiki) from New Zealand for a 5 day vacation on May 1.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a reputable pre-owned Rolex seller(s)?

Are there any reseller TRF members in Hawaii? Not sure what I might pick up. Possibly a TT ceramic Submariner if the price was right.

Do you have to pay State Tax on a pre-owned watch from a store?

Thanks,
Mark.

[skprd13]

Aloha from Kauai,
Ben bridges at Ala Moana shopping center has two stores full of Watches. One story has the most incredible selection of rolex watches on the planet. It has some many due to the amount of Japanese travelers. You must go into the store and see for yourself. You will be blown away. Every type imaginable they have. Of course it is a little pricey. Have fun on your vacation!
Aloha from Kauai.
Tom

[Monte Cristo]

Originally Posted by skprd13

Aloha from Kauai,
Ben bridges at Ala Moana shopping center has two stores full of Watches. One story has the most incredible selection of rolex watches on the planet. It has some many due to the amount of Japanese travelers. You must go into the store and see for yourself. You will be blown away. Every type imaginable they have. Of course it is a little pricey. Have fun on your vacation!
Aloha from Kauai.
Tom

Do they have a pre-owned section? Just wondering cause I was there last year don't remember seing any. Mind you I was mesmerised by their PP selection so easy to mis...

[DKY1107]

For preowned you got 3 choices...1. Honolulu Time Company (they advertise here). Very nice guys. Family run business. For preowned Rolex sales you're gonna deal with Linh. Very cool guy and knows his stuff. His son David is also in the store and takes care of online sales. They also negotiate so definitely deal.

2. Swiss Watch Exchange. Haven't been there but my good buddy did. Prices are a little higher and very small selection.

3. Solitaire. Relatively new company. Can't say anything about them. They do advertise a lot on Craigslist as does Time Company.

Regards to Kaimana Kea.... Excellent selection!! And Amy is definitely a very nice person to deal with. She's the AM manager. I bought 3 Rolexes from them That should say a lot.

The Ben Bridge in Ala Moana has been renovated and they have a section on the left that is nothing but Rolex. The new store now has an Incredible selection! If you go there see Ken. Tell him the cop that was looking for the GMT sent you.

[RollieNZ]

Aloha, Tom.
Thanks. Guess I can do some window shopping!

[Gimpgimp12]

In Waikiki itself, there is an AD there called kama'aina kea. Ask for the GM Amy. Tell her Howard from Vegas sent you.....:)

[VADanno]

Good information for my next visit in June. I try to find something to do indoors during the middle of the day. There's no sunscreen strong enough to save my skin from two weeks of Hawaiian peak sunlight. Shopping Rolex watches sounds like the perfect antidote to sunburn.

[Armyguy03]

I've purchased and sold Rolex watches through Honolulu Time in Waikiki, and speak with David via text every few weeks (small talk kine). Def pay them a visit, they have a nice selection of pre-owned Rolex and other high end watches all the time.

Tourneau in Waikiki also has a nice selection but tend to be pricy. My humble advice would be to contact a trusted seller here on TRF (DavidSW) and tell them what you want. Pay for it and have it shipped to your Hawaii address. If your staying in a vacation rental this is easy, however, if your staying in a Hotel, I'd have the seller ship it to a UPS store near the Hotel where you could go pick it up (ID required).

Lastly, enjoy your trip. If your the sporty type, go hike Koko Head. Do it early as it gets hot and there is no shade. Its a quick hike and should take under 30 mins to get to the top.

[RollieNZ]

I'd thought about doing that. Makes good sense.

Thanks,
Mark.

Originally Posted by Armyguy03

I've purchased and sold Rolex watches through Honolulu Time in Waikiki, and speak with David via text every few weeks (small talk kine). Def pay them a visit, they have a nice selection of pre-owned Rolex and other high end watches all the time.

Tourneau in Waikiki also has a nice selection but tend to be pricy. My humble advice would be to contact a trusted seller here on TRF (DavidSW) and tell them what you want. Pay for it and have it shipped to your Hawaii address. If your staying in a vacation rental this is easy, however, if your staying in a Hotel, I'd have the seller ship it to a UPS store near the Hotel where you could go pick it up (ID required).

Lastly, enjoy your trip. If your the sporty type, go hike Koko Head. Do it early as it gets hot and there is no shade. Its a quick hike and should take under 30 mins to get to the top.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by RollieNZ

Hi Guys,

I apologise in advance if this subject has already been covered in any recent posts.

I'm travelling to Honolulu (more accurately Waikiki) from New Zealand for a 5 day vacation on May 1.

Can anyone point me in the direction of a reputable pre-owned Rolex seller(s)?

Are there any reseller TRF members in Hawaii? Not sure what I might pick up. Possibly a TT ceramic Submariner if the price was right.

Do you have to pay State Tax on a pre-owned watch from a store?

Thanks,
Mark.

If I were you, I would try to work out a deal where you purchase a watch on the forums and then have it sent to you in Waikiki while you're there.

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

If I were you, I would try to work out a deal where you purchase a watch on the forums and then have it sent to you in Waikiki while you're there.

I'm curious why you would do this. He won't be there until May so he would have plenty of time to receive the watch from a TRF seller at home and wouldn't have the potential complication of taking a watch and box/papers through customs after the trip.

[77T]

While you're there, if you pay and take the watch then HI sales tax applies plus duty upon returning to NZ.

Maybe buy, wear around the town, and then have seller ship it back to NZ as a remote sale? No HI sales tax and maybe less duty for incoming shipment.

Just a thought...

[Armyguy03]

Why cant he just wear it home? Does he have to claim it on the customs form upon return if he's wearing it.

[RollieNZ]

If I purchase a watch in Hawaii, I would have to pay State Tax of course, (does this apply for pre-owned?).

If a TRF seller sent it to me at my hotel no tax would be payable.

Either way I can wear the watch home and not have to pay any
NZ Customs tax or duty.

While New Zealand's tax free allowance is low for most items ($450 NZD)
personal items (clothing etc) and jewellery are exempt.

No upper limit amazingly!. If you are contemplating a large personal jewellery purchase in NZ it makes sense to take an overseas trip and save at least the 15% GST (Local Tax).

Thanks for all your contributions,
Mark.

Originally Posted by Armyguy03

Why cant he just wear it home? Does he have to claim it on the customs form upon return if he's wearing it.

[Jeffex]

Rolex AD Main Street in Honolulu. If I remember correctly right beside a Ferrari store.
2 entrances , from the street or from the mall.
Good luck! Loved Waikik Beach!

[DKY1107]

Originally Posted by Jeffex

Rolex AD Main Street in Honolulu. If I remember correctly right beside a Ferrari store.
2 entrances , from the street or from the mall.
Good luck! Loved Waikik Beach!

That's Kaimana Kea. Tourneau is two stores down and their selection is weak with high prices and no box / papers.

Just a heads up....don't leave anything valuable in your rental car and esp on the beach (you'd be surprised). I've done too many reports for tourist who leave their valuables assuming the locals are nice and won't steal them. We are nice but like everywhere else you got your bad ones.

[Jeffex]

Originally Posted by DKY1107

That's Kaimana Kea. Tourneau is two stores down and their selection is weak with high prices and no box / papers.

Just a heads up....don't leave anything valuable in your rental car and esp on the beach (you'd be surprised). I've done too many reports for tourist who leave their valuables assuming the locals are nice and won't steal them. We are nice but like everywhere else you got your bad ones.

Almost walked out of this store with a watch. They didn't budge on the price & the whole sales process didn't make me feel very comfortable. I'm glad I walked away.
Found the same watch @ Jais in Turks & Caicos for a lot less & awesome customer service. Treated me like a "King"!

[Armyguy03]

Originally Posted by RollieNZ

If I purchase a watch in Hawaii, I would have to pay State Tax of course, (does this apply for pre-owned?).

If a TRF seller sent it to me at my hotel no tax would be payable.

Either way I can wear the watch home and not have to pay any
NZ Customs tax or duty.

While New Zealand's tax free allowance is low for most items ($450 NZD)
personal items (clothing etc) and jewellery are exempt.

No upper limit amazingly!. If you are contemplating a large personal jewellery purchase in NZ it makes sense to take an overseas trip and save at least the 15% GST (Local Tax).

Thanks for all your contributions,
Mark.

If pre-owned, yes there would be still be a sales tax.