zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

In 1985 I bought a brand new rolex in singapore and brought it back to the US. Before I left I had done some research that indicated that while watches are subject to duty there was an exemption for "mechanical" watches. If you think about it, that makes sense, how many mechanical, (or any) watches are produced in the US? I declared the rolex when I returned, but customs insisted I pay duty. I asked to see the regulation that said there was duty on a mechanical watch but the officer didn't seem to have access to anything in writing. I paid the duty because it was late and I was tired and wanted to go home, but I still wonder if mechanical watches really are subject to US duty.

: Where Rolex has control is over the
: distributors--not the consumers.

: As a consumer, you can buy a watch anywhere and
: import them to the US subject to the customs
: rules of the countries involved.

: But what Rolex can do is cut off supplies to
: distributors that it finds are shipping
: products to consumers or other resellers
: inside the USA.

: That's why businesses outside the US won't ship
: you a Rolex--they fear you might be working
: for Rolex and if they do Rolex will cease to
: do business with them. And many watch
: sellers would go out of business if Rolex
: cut them off!