Do Rolex Watches Hold Their Value? Everything You need to Know About Ensuring Your Rolex Appreciates Over Time
If you’re considering buying a Rolex watch, whether you go with a new Rolex watch or buy a pre-owned Rolex watch, then you’re likely aware of just how much of an investment these luxury watches can be, easily fetching thousands or tens of thousands of dollars. When you’re making an investment like that, you want to be assured that your investment will hold up over time.
The good news? If you’re wondering, does Rolex hold value over time, the answer is a resounding yes. In most cases, an expensive Rolex watch — whether it’s one of the available pre-owned Rolex watches, Rolex sports watches, or vintage Rolex watches — will not only hold its value on the luxury watch market, but will actually appreciate in value.
What You Will Learn
Why Do Rolexes Hold Their Value?
Do Rolex hold value? Absolutely — but why? There are a few reasons.
- Materials — Expensive Rolex watches are made from luxury materials like precious metals and gemstones that naturally retain their value over time, or appreciate in value
- Limited availability — Rolex watches aren’t available to just anyone with the money to buy one; these timepieces are made on a limited basis, with only a certain number manufactured each year
- Rolex history — The historic, well-known Rolex name, in and of itself, helps the brand’s timepieces maintain their value
All of these factors ensure Rolex watches hold their value and appreciate, making a Rolex watch a smart jewelry investment.
Which Rolex Hold Their Value Best?
While the simple answer to “do Rolexes appreciate in value” is “yes,” it’s still the case that some Rolexes hold their value better than others. Often, the Rolex watches that hold their value the best are also some of the Rolex models that are the most well known and recognizable.
These include:
- The Rolex Submariner
- The Rolex GMT Master II
- The Rolex Daytona
- The Rolex Oyster Perpetual
In general, if you can also get your hands on some vintage watches, you’ll find that, often, when it comes to Rolex, the older, the more valuable — and that value continues to rise the longer you hold onto these vintage models.
The Rare Rolex Watches That Are the Most Valuable Today
Out of all the Rolex that hold value, some are currently more valuable than others. Here are a few of the most valuable Rolex watches in the world.
The Paul Newman Rolex Daytona
As mentioned, the Rolex Daytona is already a pretty valuable watch. However, there’s one watch to rule them all — Paul Newman’s watch that sold at auction in 2017. Going for over $17 million, Paul Newman’s personal Rolex Daytona is the most expensive Rolex ever sold.
The Rolex Daytona Unicorn
The Rolex Daytona Unicorn, which sold for nearly $6 million at auction, gets some of its value from its materials — white gold instead of yellow gold or stainless steel. However, it also gets its value from its rarity, as it’s the only vintage white gold watch of its kind in existence.
The Rolex Bao Dai
Commissioned by the emperor of Vietnam in the 1950s, the watch was, at the time, extremely rare due to its sophisticated machinations. There are only a few of this model in existence, and one of them went for more than $5 million in 2017.
The Rolex Pearlmaster
But what’s the most valuable Rolex watch that you can actually buy, without attending an auction or raiding some high-end collection?
While you’re unlikely to get your hands on the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona, you can buy the Rolex Pearlmaster, which is the most expensive Rolex currently available to the public, with a price tag of more than $80,000. This watch is partially so expensive due to its precious materials, including an array of diamonds.
Does Rolex Appreciate in Value? It’s Up to You!
While the simple answer to “Does Rolex hold its value?” is “yes,” there are some instances where the same answer could be given for “Do Rolex watches depreciate?” If you make the wrong decisions regarding your Rolex purchase and maintenance, you may find that your watch doesn’t actually appreciate in value over time, but can, in fact, depreciate in value.
Here’s what you’ll need to do, to ensure your watch can fetch a high price, later.
Buy From a Reputable Seller
Whether you buy a pre-owned Rolex or a new Rolex, make sure you’re buying from a reputable seller. Look for someone who can provide all the details regarding the watch’s model and history, as well as, preferably, the watch’s original box and papers (which can increase value). This will help ensure not only that you buy a valuable watch, but an authentic one as well.
Buy the Right Model
Some Rolex watches appreciate more than others, while some simply retain their value over time. This is the case with the Rolex Datejust, which is not commonly known to appreciate to any large degree. Instead, look for one of Rolex’s stainless steel sports models, like a Submariner.
Prepare to Wait
In some cases, really seeing a return on your Rolex investment will take time — decades, even, as specific Rolex models go in and out of style, or certain models are discontinued. Be prepared to wait a little while to see your Rolex appreciate in value.
Take Care of Your Rolex
While you’re waiting, make sure that you’re taking proper care of your Rolex. While this may require additional investment, such as if repairs are needed, or for routine maintenance, it will help ensure your Rolex remains in pristine condition for the rest of its life.
Beyond routine maintenance, though, also consider caring for your Rolex through the purchase of luxury watch insurance. BriteCo’s comprehensive watch coverage fills in the gaps in your homeowner’s insurance, protecting the full value of your Rolex in the event that your watch is stolen, broken or lost.
Learn more and get a quote today.
Do Rolex Watches Appreciate in Value? FAQs
How Much Do Rolex Watches Appreciate?
It can be difficult pinning down just how much do Rolex watches increase in value over their lifespan. It depends on too many factors, such as the model of watch, watch condition and current demand. However, you can expect for the watch to at least retain value equivalent to its purchase price.
Is a Rolex Watch a Good Investment?
If you’re considering investing in jewelry, then, yes, a Rolex watch is one of the better jewelry investments you can make.
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