Buying a Rolex in Toronto has become exceedingly difficult due to the large financial metropolis it has become, and thus demand has exceeded supply. This is the largest city in Canada and it has the most Rolex Authorized Dealers than any other city in Canada, yet it still can be difficult to locate and acquire that elusive Rolex you’ve been searching for.
Some of the Rolex ADs in this city are better than others, this can be due to several reasons, for example customer service, model availability, location and accessibility of the shop. I was browsing on Google and noticed that no credible source has ranked any of the Rolex Authorized Dealers located in the downtown Toronto and Greater Toronto area, and so why not fill this void? I already ranked the best Rolex Authorized Dealers in Montreal, and it quickly became a popular resource for those searching for more information to help them make that big watch purchase.
I’ve scoured the internet for information on all of these ADs, I’ve contacted many of them by phone and email, and I’ve visited most of them myself in order to gauge the best to the worst experiences. There are a total of 7 official Rolex ADs located in and very close to Toronto, there’s also a couple outliers that require a significant drive to visit. Keep reading below for our official Rolex AD guide in the Toronto area.
1. Royal De Versailles
- Located at: 101 Bloor St W
- Website: royaldeversailles.com
- Google rating: 4.4
This is the largest most central Rolex authorized dealer in Toronto, located at 101 Bloor Street West. With that title comes high product turnover and a corporate vibe, probably the most corporate on our list. Despite the corporate aura it doesn’t carry a snooty feeling to it, making for a very pleasant buying experience. Because of the huge amount of product turnover from customers just walking in off the street I have noticed more availably of certain models at this shop, it’s possible Rolex allocates more stock to Royal De Versailles because they simply sell more watches.
Not only do they carry Rolex but they also carry some of the heaviest hitters in the industry such as, Audemars Piguet, A. Lange & Sohne, Chopard and Breguet.
2. Humbertown Jewellers
- Located at: 270 The Kingsway
- Website: humbertownjewellers.com
- Google rating: 4.5
If personable customer service is your priority when buying a Rolex then Humberton Jewellers might just be the number 1 spot for you. Located at 270 The Kingsway St, and tucked away in a nondescript type of outdoor mall setting, this shop is a hidden gem.
It also boasts one of the largest Rolex displays in Toronto, that always seems to be full. The staff is extremely friendly and willing to go the extra mile with zero sales pressure. While located very centraly in Toronto it’s not right in the center of action like Royal De Versailes. While Royal De Versail may receive more watches due to a high turnover of product, Humbertown also seems to have stocked shelves quite possibly due to it being just slightly out of reach to tourists.
Oyster Pepeptuals and Datejusts galore, you just might be able to snag a professional sports model here on a lucky day. This is probably one of the better shops to put your name down on the list for a professional model.
If in the area go and check them out!
3. La Différence Time Centre
- Located at: 180 Enterprise Blvd
- Website: ladifference.ca
- Google rating: 4.8
This Rolex authorized dealer is located a little more on the outskirts of the Toronto city centre in Downtown Markham. The shop is set in a modern style mall configuration and can be hit or miss in terms of customer service and general ambiance of the store. It’s a small AD but with the vibe of a big corporate AD which is a little awkward.
You have little to no chance of scoring a stainless steel Professional model here, let alone a precious metal professional model. Oyster Perpetuals and Datejusts can be sparse as well, with a display that is usually not filled.
4. Damiani Jewellers
- Located at: 15 Jevlan Dr UNIT B
- Website: damianijewellers.com
- Google rating: 4.7
Even further outside of Toronto we have Damiani Jewellers located at 15 Jevlan Drive. This is the high rollers AD of choice. If you’re ready to spend a good sum of money here you may get the proper customer service you’re looking for. For those just looking to browse and not ready to buy just yet you may feel the pretentiousness of the staff kick in.
Only those ready to spend top dollar here can expect to find the more sought after models in the professional line. There is no corner cutting at Damiani. I have also heard accounts of the staff being rude, although I have not experienced that myself it’s still quite disconcerting to hear.
5. Knar Jewellery
- Located at: 38 Avenue Rd
- Website: knar.com
- Google rating: 4.9
Knar has a really beautiful location at 321 Cornwall Road, outside of Toronto in Oakville. Not only are they a Rolex AD but they also carry some other great brands like Breitling, Chopard and an excellent German watch section. It’s a very nice shop with a beautiful interior layout.
They also have another location at 38 Avenue Road that specializes more in Jewellery. If you’re after an engagement ring or looking to have some jewelry repaired this would be a great spot.
I haven’t heard too much about this store from other watch collectors, it’s possible they’re one of the more recently established Rolex retailers in the Toronto area. If you have the time to venture outside of the city and discover a little more of Oakville don’t forget to drop in to have look.
6. Rolex Boutique Raffi
- Located at: 100 City Centre Dr
- Website: raffijewellers.com
- Google rating: 4.6
This is a dedicated Rolex Boutique, the only one in Toronto, and 1 of only 2 boutiques located in all of Canada. The excitement stops here because unfortunetly the sales rep to customer communication is essentially non-existent. I’m not sure exactly why but this boutique just does not follow up with it’s clients.
The selection is also very poor as well, and they have the longest stated wait times for many usually easy to acquire models. Maybe they don’t receive lots of stock because it’s a small boutique located inside a shopping mall. Whatever the reason, this might be one of the only locations I’d recommend not wasting your time at. Go for a drive and visit one of the above mentioned Rolex authorized dealers before this one.
7. Raffi Jewellers Yorkdale
- Located at: 3401 Dufferin St
- Website: raffijewellers.com
- Google rating: 4.5
Raffi is at the bottom for a variety of reasons. For one, there has been rumours going around that Raffi Jewellers is demanding sales deposits with non-guaranteed delivery dates. This could be interpreted as interest free loans from its customers, not something I’d recommend you proceed with.
Apparently Raffi Jewellers sells all of their received professional models to grey sellers, which is very frowned upon in the industry. This makes it almost impossible for a walk in customer such as yourself to buy one from them. Displays here are usually sparse as well.
If you have any questions, or would like to get in touch with me please do not hesitate to send me an email at matt@watchreviewblog.com
Disclaimer: This article is based on my personal experience from visiting the mentioned Rolex authorized dealers, and communication with them in various ways such as email and by phone. No official statements were given by any of the above mentioned stores.
Matt:
Good afternoon.
I recently received a GMT Master 1675 manufactured in 1971 from my mother after my father passed away. I have no idea when it was last serviced or if in fact it ever has. Given it’s sentimental value I am loathe to have it serviced by just anyone and based on the blog on the top Rolex ADs, I sent an email to all of them asking if they can service this watch.
Do you have any advice when it comes time to let someone service it?
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Peter Thivierge
Hi Peter, I can understand your situation here. Of course the best way and only way someone should service a Rolex is to bring it in to a Rolex Authorized dealer, the only thing the AD will be doing is sending it off to the Rolex HQ in Canada. It’s very important to choose a local Rolex AD that you have a relationship with in this situation, to ensure that they treat your request with care and urgency. If you don’t have a relationship with any AD near you the next best thing is to hand it off to and AD with an excellent reputation for reliable customer service. I’m assuming you’re located in or near Toronto, in this case I’d recommend you to reach out to Royal De Versailles, you can tell them you were referred to them by Matt from the WatchReviewBlog.com – as they know me. Alternatively if you don’t mind a road trip my next recommendation would be Howard Fine Jewellers located in Ottawa, outstanding service there as well. I hope this helps, cheers!
Hello Matt,
Thanks for this article. I wanted to ask you that if someone like who is looking to buy their first Rolex for investment purposes, how do I approach these type of AD’s?
I mean where do I start? Which AD’s would specifically help first time buyers?
I will appreciate your feedback.
Thanks for stopping by for the read, glad you enjoyed it.
Buying a Rolex for investment purposes is the last thing I’d recommend anyone do, there are much better venues of investment than a watch. Rolex Authorized Dealers are catering to watch enthusiasts who want to wear the watch, these are collectors who admire the craftsmanship and history of the watches. There is already too much demand for these watches for regular enthusiasts, people coming in to the AD for investment purpose is taking away from the hobby.
If you’re looking solely to buy a watch as an “investment”, not wear it or store it away unworn I would not recommend you go to an AD for this. This might be the only time I’d recommend you to buy the watch at a premium from a grey dealer who sells Rolex. Cheers
Because these grey market dealers are the ones who will be able to purchase them from the AD’s for their investment purposes.
Happy Holidays Matt!
First and foremost thanks for your blog and taking the time to rank the optimal Rolex ADs in Toronto based on your personal experiences and research.
I am in the market as a first time Rolex buyer for Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in Oystersteel and yellow gold features a champagne-colour dial with fluted bezel and a Jubilee bracelet to commemorate my 40th birthday on Oct 1st, 2022.
https://www.rolex.com/watches/datejust/m126333-0010.html
Thus, do you know what AD will be able to fulfill my desire purchase as it seems inventories are extremely obsolete, due to the recent popularity of Rolex this year.
Thanks for stopping by Leroy and Happy Holidays to you as well.
The Rolex availability situation hasn’t ever been as abysmal as it is right now unfortunately. Most of the Authorized Dealers around the world currently have little to no stock at all, and if they do have stock it’s already reserved for their repeat “VIP” customers. This issue is even affecting models like the Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, even precious metal variations.
Rolex might currently be the worst brand to choose at the moment to commemorate a moment, simply because timing the allocation of the watch is nearly impossible.
With that said if you wanted to go through an Authorized Dealer for the purchase your best bet is to go into the store and explain your situation and desire for the watch face to face with a sales rep. Of course any purchase history with the store will help you but in the current market even a purchase history is not getting customers very far. You can try my favourite on the list which is RDV in Toronto, feel free to drop my name, I’m not sure if it would help at all.
If you want the watch on your exact birthday the guaranteed route is to buy from a grey dealer. There will be a small premium on the Datejust 41 but nothing as exaggerated as the sports models. Hope that helps, good luck and happy new year!
Hi Matt, thank you for your article! I’m in the market too hoping to score a Submariner, a YM or a Datejust 41 for a special occasion. I’ve visited Raffi at Yorkdale and the RDV at blood. While the Raffi mentions the existence of a waitlist, the sales rep at RDV explicitly asked us to “buy anything to enlarge your odds”. I’m kind of confused now about how to proceed. Should I go to Damiani and La Différence and even Humbertown to try my luck or should I try to constantly pop into RDV to get a bigger chance? Any advise would be appreciated!
Hi Jerry, the truth is that any info given by the AD’s should be taken with a grain of salt. Rafi could be mentioning the existence of a list, but whether or not they actually honour the priority on that list is another story. You’ll have an easier chance with the YM or DJ 41 than the Submariner at any of these AD’s, going for the Submariner with no purchase history will require some patience and persistence. It is very possible to get these watches now with no history but you’ll need to follow your gut and decide which AD is going to provide a smoother process. For me personally it’s always been RDV, it took a while to build a rapport with them but I’m glad I did.
Hi Matthew After reading your blog I went to Royal De Versailles jewelers in Toronto and put my name in the waitlist for Rolex oyster perpetual. The Ad was very nice and I told her this is my first visit here. Very comfortable people to deal with. Thank you.
Mani
Great to hear! Definitely my favourite AD in Ontario (and probably Canada). Wishing you a quick acquisition in 2023, cheers.
Further to my visit to Royal De versailles also visited Humbertown jewellers. Great customer service for a person with no purchase history. The S.A. His name is Suresh asked for my requirement which was a date just 41. He got my no and to my surprise got a call within 3 weeks for a mint green fluted datejust. Went with my grand daughter to pick it up. He treated me extremely well and also gave a box of Rolex chocolates as a gift to my Grand daughter. Great experience there.