When shopping for a new or used Rolex, chances are you’re interested in getting the most bang for your buck. Whether you seek a watch with excellent resale value or a watch with an attractive price tag, there are many options to explore.
Aiming for Value?
If you’re going for the most value for your money, a great start is one of the newest additions to the Daytona line. The Rolex Daytona 116500 is quite easily one of the hottest Rolex watches on the market today. It made its debut at Baselworld 2016 and has been in high demand ever since.
If you have your heart set on purchasing the highly coveted stainless steel Daytona new, get ready to join a very long waitlist. Historically, the Daytona is no stranger to waitlists with older models often running short on outsourced components. This carries over to the steel reference, even though the entire watch is made entirely in-house.
The desire for a steel chronograph with a ceramic bezel only adds to its collectability and price. Being patient means that you will be able to snag one at retail, which is currently $12,400. But if you aren’t interested in waiting, don’t fret. Pre-owned Daytona 116500’s are occasionally available on BobsWatches.com. Although, due to the high demand, you will most likely pay above retail to get your hands on Rolex’s hottest chronograph.
With no end in sight to the high demand and short supply, chances are you will be able to resell the Daytona 116500 for close to what you paid for it should you ever decide to part with it.
Affordability
Alternatively, you can choose to spend your cash on a more affordable Rolex, such as a Datejust or Oyster Perpetual. Often found heavily discounted on the secondary market, it’s easy to find one of these iconic men’s dress watches at an attractive price.
Unlike the previously mentioned Daytona, however, it’s unlikely that a Datejust or Oyster Perpetual will offer as much value if you ever choose to resell it. For example, the modern 6-digit Datejust 116200 sells for well below retail on the secondary market with prices as low as $5,195.
The same can be said with many vintage dress watches, with some Datejust references priced in the high $3,000 price range.
See their collection of Datejust watches here.
For the Premium Only Buyers
Not all vintages are made equal. In fact, rare variants of many Rolex models command premiums on the market and have the potential to appreciate in value significantly. This can be based off the fact that they are in high demand and are no longer in production.
Some details to look for if you wish to purchase a vintage that will rise in value:
– original parts
– minimal polishing or wear to the case and bracelet
– unusual dials, hour markers, or hands
Watches with a well-known history are also highly desirable and stand to rise significantly in value, such as variations of the Paul Newman Daytona or the Steve McQueen Explorer. These watches offer an excellent return on investment and will appeal to serious collectors with a higher budget.
Whatever your intentions are while shopping for a Rolex, if price and value are important to you then you’re already taking a step in the right direction to creating a valuable and carefully curated luxury watch collection.
