Rolex
Investing in an affordable Rolex : still the king of the pre-owned market.
Rolex is the most recognisable wristwatch in the world. I’m fairly sure that every self-professed expert at the bar or at your table knows what the brand is about, and whether or not it it is the real McCoy. Without hesitating, I cannot think of any other brand of wristwatch which polarises opinion, and generates a conversation in the same way a Rolex does.
It’s personal really, for the lion’s share of my childhood and early adulthood, spotting those who wear a Rolex, with that reassuring crown at 12 o’clock, was the ultimate portable sign of achievement and success, whether on screen, in the movies or on one of my family friends’ wrist. I’ll caveat: being a child of the ‘80s, steel or occasionally gold and steel were the regular spot but all gold really was the king.
The investment market and waiting lists were, until the mid 1990s, utterly unheard of, with “big red” Daytonas and non date Submariners languishing unsold in the authorised dealers’ window for years in the ‘80s.
The Daytona changed all that in the 1990s: with clever marketing, restricted supply and unprecedented collector demand, Rolex became the most sought after watch in the world.
Fast forward to 2019 and the dramatic price rise of all Rolex. Any sports variety attracts a waiting list (demand far outstripping supply) and therefore the secondary market charges more for unworn examples than the high street authorised dealer does when they were bought new.
Commonly rumoured (and true, based on our recent sales) that steel Datejust models and attractively dialled Perpetuals are similarly commanding a premium, given there are none available in the gold and green displays on the high street.
So where would the wise money go for an affordable Rolex? Above and beyond the recommended retail price? No. Instead, I’d suggest a search for the smaller, overlooked and elder siblings of the Batman and Hulk. Lamentably, the days of a £1000 Air-King are long gone, however, given £3850 (at time of writing) buys the cheapest new 34mm Oyster Perpetual without a date, I’d suggest looking at a vintage alternative with a bit of cash left in your pocket.
For starters, the polarised opinion of the brand is more likely to slant to favourable, if the watch you wear is the same age (or a little older than) the wearer. Secondly, like all investments, if they don’t make them any more, then the supply can never possibly exceed the demand.
I’m not alone in citing the Rolex Air-King as the only watch that anyone ever needs, and that covers ladies or gentlemen. A 34mm case means you have the widest audience (should you ever choose to sell) and a practical watch for the beach or black tie. A Datejust is the Rolex that made Rolex globally renowned and picking a good one means a watch for life. Choose a jubilee bracelet for elegance or an Oyster bracelet for rugged usability. Neither an Air-King nor a Datejust will look out of place in Piazza San Marco or in Central Park, and will be equally at home in your local.
Prices on both references are on the ascendance. However if you pick a good one, ideally with an attractive dial, box and papers, and you’ll benefit from everyday usability combined with a cast iron (well, steel /steel & gold) investment on your wrist. Likely as not, if it has been working for many years then it will continue to do so for years to come.
What would I buy? My choice would always be a steel Datejust with a steel Oyster or Jubilee. The first Rolex I ever bought new, for the princely sum of £1980 in the early 2000’s. Good ones retail for £4000 and more now. Thats an investment I never expected when I bought my indulgence. I’d also look at an Air-King or Air-King Date. They don’t make these anymore, not like they used to.
Andrew , Vintage & Prestige
Vintage & Prestige consult on investment in watches, and are launching the V&P Watch Concierge in Q4 2019. Please see our current selection of curated Rolex for sale.
Celebrate Christmas With A Rolex Datejust
A classic style thats on-trend all the time, the ladies Rolex Datejust is a look that's ageless. A perfect Christmas present for her, it completes an outfit whether an everyday watch or worn for special occasions only. With investment potential too, how can you go wrong! For the latest style with the popular pink dial click here
The Bargain Rolex Daytona
Bit of an oxymoron that. Rolex Daytona are quite possibly the most desired watch in the world. Well known waiting lists, and regular celebrity spots has added to the myth of the Daytona. However, there is one Daytona that strikes us as ludicrously undervalued.
The bicolor/ bicolour Daytona, whether a 16523 Zenith movement or 116523 Rolex movement, trails its all steel and all gold sibling in the secondary market by some way. There are two methods for viewing this as a bargain and one way of securing the bargain.
The view 1:
Simply put, the new RRP for a Rolex Daytona at time of writing is £9100 (steel), £12400 (gold/steel) and £25550 (yellow gold) if you forgo a diamond dial.
Secondary price with papers & box (give or take a little) £8500-15k (steel), £7000-12k (gold and steel) and £15k to list for yellow gold. This ignores very rare dials, bezels etc.
The view 2:
For the average watch spotter, even the cheapest gold and steel Daytona will look like a twelve grand watch (at least). The recognition factor is there without the overt bling of the all gold.
The way:
If you have decided this is one bargain you can’t be without, choose a good one. We say this about all of our watches, and frankly, prize condition over papers. We just sold listed a Zenith 16523 in immaculate condition, without papers at £8295 and it sold in a day. A similar steel Zenith would have been listed over £10,000. There are some over used examples in the market, so be choosy, like we are.
And a final consideration, with these steel and gold versions, the choice of dial is also compelling. Opt for crisp white, elegant black, the glitz of gold, or stunning slate, or seek out a diamond dial or later series racing dial.
Happy hunting, we cannot see prices trailing the rest of the Daytona family for long.
The Forgotten Rolex, The Datejust
For many, the first “want one” Rolex model is a Daytona or a Submariner. 2016 saw all sports models rise in value and the desirability of, for example, the GMT Master, increased tenfold. Has the Datejust become the forgotten Rolex?
The Datejust is a familiar watch, perhaps the most copied both by fakers, and by, dare I say, tributes, such as the plethora of Accurist, Rotary and Seikos which were available through the 1980s and 1990s (and still???). Maybe this familiarity has become overfamiliarity.
By re-introduction, the Rolex Datejust is still Rolex’s biggest seller and is of course available in a variety of sizes, styles and materials. Far from the entry level Rolex, the Datejust was the jewel in the five pointed crown, the range topper from introduction until the arrival of the Day-Date in 1956.
The history of the Datejust begins in 1945 when the model joined the already lauded line up, and became the icon it still is, in 1954, when the often imitated magnified cyclops was introduced. Intended to aid legibility to the date window, the cyclops is often cited as the tell tale sign of a Rolex watch from afar.
The case for buying a pre-owned Datejust is compelling. Half the price of a same year sports model in many cases, and half the price of new, if you opt for a pre 116 series watch. At 36mm, the traditional Datejust offers classic and simple lines and immense functionality. Resilient to daily use, and with superb appeal as casual wear or for business, the Datejust range offers serious scope for individuality. They also look great on ladies. I recently spoke to a lady Datejust wearer whose watch had stopped telling the time, needed a service, but was being worn as jewellery. It was a black dialled 1601 from the late 1960s.
Until recently, I haven’t cited the Datejust as a key watch to invest in, but looking at auction prices, and old catalogues, the Datejust holds its value well, and I’m revising my thoughts. The key being condition and originality, if you are looking for financial gain, but exceptionally, you can buy any good Datejust and use it, enjoy it, and comfortably know the value is going to be held over time.
Rolex GMT Master 16700
At Vintage & Prestige, we feel that 2016 has been the year of the Rolex GMT Master, with values soaring throughout the year and appreciation of one of Rolex’s most classical models being at an all time high.
We select the very best GMTs that we can find and usually have a GMT in stock or coming soon. Often we sell before we have a chance to photograph.
We end our advent calendar with an example that is owned by our company director, Andrew, a lifelong Rolex GMT Pepsi fanatic, who has owned, bought and sold scores of Rolex GMTs over the years, from the 1960s to the latest ceramics.
Whether you favour vintage, recent or a contemporary Batman, please connect with us in the New Year as we would love to hear from you.
We thank our clients throughout our first full year of trading as Vintage & Prestige and wish you every enjoyment from your purchases. We hope to be able to assist again in the New Year and look forward to speaking with new and prospective clients as we continue our search for the finest pre-owned luxury goods from around the world.
Wishing you and your’s a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Watch:
Rolex GMT Master reference 16700, 1999, box and papers, Private collection.
See also:
Rolex Submariner, Rolex Explorer
Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.
We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.
For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.
We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.
We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.
Vintage Rolex Precision
Whether your gift is for a vintage enthusiast or is a birth year watch, please call us. Choosing a watch from a birth year, anniversary or significant moment is a great idea on birthdays or Christmas.
The watch:
Rose gold Rolex Precision, with integrated buckle bracelet and manual winding movement. Ultra rare and in exceptional condition, priced at £4295
See also;
Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.
We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.
For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.
We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.
We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.
Vintage Rolex For Christmas
Give the gift of vintage style with a Rolex. Vintage & Prestige always has a range of vintage Rolex watches for men and women in stainless steel, steel and yellow gold or 18k yellow gold. Please call us with your requirements. We can also source watches for a particular year.
The watch: Vintage Rolex available vintageandprestige.com £POA
Vintage & Prestige acquires and retails the finest pre-owned wrist watches, handbags and accessories including branded jewellery, pens and other fine objects.
We celebrate Christmas by displaying some of our acquisitions in our Vintage & Prestige advent calendar. Because all of our items are unique by definition, we cannot guarantee that items will be available for sale at the time of the advent calendar’s release, as we photograph in advance and items may have been sold in the intervening period. We continually add inventory so if the item is sold, we may be able to source another and would of course be delighted to discuss your requirement and suggest alternatives.
For 2016, Vintage & Prestige are also celebrating with a festive raffle. All purchases between 1st December 2016 and 21st December 2016 with a value over £1000 will be accompanied by a raffle ticket. The raffle prizes are a £500 voucher to spend with Vintage & Prestige, a Mont Blanc pen and a Tiffany & Co. keyring. Please contact us for details.
We are always on the look out for new stock, so if you are considering selling items similar to what we have in our inventory, please let us know. We regularly part exchange against items we sell.
We will be open throughout the festive period until 23rd December. We close between 24th December and 27th December, operating skeleton hours until 29th December 2016 and closed between 31st December 2016 and 2nd January 2017. Normal hours resume from 3rd January 2017.