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The Carollinum Company
We are a Czech, family-owned company, a leader in the retail of luxury watches and accessories on the Czech market. In Prague’s very exclusive Pařížská Street we run the only Rolex mono brand boutique in the Czech Republic. In addition, we have been entrusted with running a boutique for the exceptional watchmaking company Patek Philippe. To cap it all we also have the multi brand Carollinum boutique with a curated selection of timepieces by twelve brands of international renown.
Our vision
“Carollinum aims to be that unique partner to everyone who wants to discover their passion for the watchmaking art, original handiwork and values that last for generations.”
Tamara Kotvalová, founder and owner of Carollinum
Tamara Kotvalová, founder and owner of Carollinum
People in Carollinum
Tamara Kotvalová
Owner and founder of Carollinum
Tamara Kotvalová, a businesswoman and owner of the family company Carollinum, started her business career in the field of beauty products retail, followed by a network of jewellery stores she built in Moscow in 1992.
In 1996, she founded Carollinum, a company dedicated to the sale and distribution of luxury watches and accessories. Carollinum operates four boutiques in Pařížská Street in Prague: Rolex, Patek Philippe, Breitling - the only mono-brand boutiques of these brands in the Czech Republic - and the Carollinum boutique, which offers twelve prestigious watch brands. Carollinum is also the wholesale representative of four brands and runs a Watch Service. Two of Tamara’s children, Daniela Jannová and Matěj Kotval, work with her in the company.
Tamara Kotvalová is actively involved in charity, she is an honorary member and sponsor of the Sun for All Foundation, a board member, and a regular sponsor of the Club of Friends of Children's Homes. She is a sponsor of the children’s oncology clinic in Motol Hospital and contributes to the convalescent stays of children and war veterans. She is the recipient of many awards, including the Moral Authority Award in 2019 and 2021 and Businesswoman of the Year in 2006.
“It is an honour for me to be part of the management team of Carollinum, the leader in the Czech market of luxury watches and accessories. What makes the company unique is the professional approach of its managers and boutique staff, excellent relationships with suppliers, and a family-like atmosphere. Thanks to these aspects we can naturally pursue our successful path.”
“Carollinum is a leader on the market and creative and innovative marketing is an important part of its presentation. In recent years, the campaign featuring Carollinum ambassadors - friends of the brand, including army general Emil Boček, architect Eva Jiřičná, and prominent Czech athletes – has resonated well among our clients. We are also proud of our company magazine, The Art of Time. Simply put, we live for watches!”
“Carollinum is a financially stable company built exclusively with Czech capital. Whether you are our client or supplier, you can always rely on professionalism that is fully in line with the philosophy of the prestigious brands we represent. We are and want to continue to be your strong partner in the luxury goods market.”
For more than twenty years, we can be proud of the exclusive representation of four prestigious brands Montblanc, Baume & Mercier, Hamilton and Mido. Our clients come to us when they want to thank their business partner or a loyal employee with a gift of lasting value. They know that at Carollinum they are always sure to get originals that have been skilfully produced in the manufacture famous for its fountain pens, watches and leather accessories, all of which we have in our range.
Katrin Poláková
Manager of Carollinum and Breitling boutiques
In Carollinum since 2021
"When you enter the Carollinum Boutique, you find yourself in the world of luxury and perfectly crafted timepieces. Our multi brand boutique presents a curated selection of the best products the world’s watchmaking brands have on offer. We are there to do our best to make your shopping experience unique and memorable. Your satisfaction is our greatest reward."
Discover the world of haute horology, where men and women can choose from aesthetically refined and technically perfect timepieces. Over 180 years, Patek Philippe has become synonymous with impressive manufacturing skills and constant pushing of the boundaries in the world of watchmaking. The brand is renowned for its exceptional complications and the artistic passion of its master engravers, jewellers and especially watchmakers. Patek Philippe's exclusive and limited production is destined for connoisseurs who can appreciate hidden values. Carollinum is honoured to be the only authorized Patek Philippe dealer in the Czech Republic.
Rolex, a legend of the watchmaking world and one of the most prestigious Swiss fine watchmaking brands has only one monobrand boutique in the Czech Republic: at 14 Pařížská Street. Naturally, the boutique’s interior is a reflection of the inimitable style and lofty aesthetic codes of this phenomenal manufacture that can boast a history that is over a century-long. Tailor-made by Rolex designers, the boutique’s interior is in perfect harmony with the early 20th century building that houses it. In the Carollinum Rolex Boutique we provide our customers with an exclusive and comfortable setting that will put them at their ease while meeting the high standards of care and services Rolex is world-famous for.
History of our company
1996 – Carollinum is founded
The history of the family-owned Carollinum Company starts in 1996. The company was founded with the ambition to become a leader on the market with luxury goods. The first important success was celebrated that same year when Carollinum obtained Montblanc representation for the Czech Republic, thus bringing to the country the leader among producers of accessories, writing instruments and jewellery.
1998 – Opening of the Alfred Dunhill Boutique
The history of Carollinum’s presence in the Pařížská street – Prague’s new epicentre of luxury goods retailers – begins in 1998 when the first boutique of the London brand Alfred Dunhill in Central Europe is opened. Since then, the brand has abbreviated its name to Dunhill but has remained a producer of luxury men’s fashion and accessories to this day.
2002 – Opening of the Carollinum Boutique
2002 is an important milestone in the history of Carollinum. This is when the company opened a jewellery and watchmakers’ shop in Prague’s Pařížská street. Tamara Kotvalová, the founder and owner of the company, introduced onto the Czech market seven luxury watchmaking brands, including global leaders such as Breitling, IWC, Piaget, Cartier, Chopard and Baume & Mercier.
2004 – Rolex for the first time in Carollinum’s portfolio
Rolex watches, a legend of the watchmaking world, found its way to the Carollinum Boutique in 2004. Timepieces worn by American presidents, successful sportsmen and Hollywood stars were made available to our customers. Rolex prides itself with over 500 patented innovations and over a century-long tradition.
2008 – Opening of the Montblanc Boutique
Ten years of cooperation with Montblanc brought us to decision that it’s about time to take the presence of this brand on the Czech market a step further. Montblanc’s products, including accessories, pens and watches, kept gaining on popularity among our customers and the German brand has achieved a premium position on the market. Carollinum decided to open a monobrand Montblanc Boutique in Pařížská street.
2012 – Opening of the Rolex Boutique
The opening of the monobrand Rolex boutique, the only such Rolex boutique in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, on the corner of Pařížská and Široká street in Prague’s Old Town was without exaggeration the event of the year. Carollinum has been very honoured to acquire a Rolex representation that includes a boutique and feels privileged to this day. The gala opening of the Boutique in May 2012 saw a number of Czech celebrities including the late singer Karel Gott.
2016 – Opening of the Patek Philippe Boutique
Patek Philippe, one of the last Geneva-based watchmakers to remain a family business, opened its monobrand boutique in Prague in cooperation with Carollinum. For Carollinum it is a great honour to be the only authorised dealer of the brand with over 180 years of uninterrupted history that draws inspiration from its rich history of watchmaking craftsmanship, patents, and grand horological complications.
2019 – Refurbishment of the Carollinum Boutique
Carollinum loves to offer its customer an ever growing quality of services and shopping comfort and this is why we refurbished the Carollinum Boutique after six years of its existence, in 2019. Larger space allowed for another VIP salon, while light-coloured furniture and terrazzo floors filled the spacious rooms with light. The boutique is a shop-in-shop concept, providing each brand with its unique space.
2019 – Carollinum Rolex Boutique – the Flagship store
The only Rolex monobrand boutique in the Czech Republic and Slovakia is still to be found at the same address in Prague’s Pařížská street. Following its significant enlargement and refurbishment in 2019, its truly grandiose size of ca 160 m2 makes it one of the largest Rolex boutiques in Central Europe. Customers can now enjoy choosing timepieces by one of the most prestigious watchmaking brands in a modern, spacious environment.