It’s an exciting and memorable experience to buy a Rolex. Whether you’re shopping for a Rolex to celebrate a milestone, honor an achievement, make a statement, or just because, knowing the ins and outs of buying this luxury watch will pay off when you walk away from the deal with a timepiece that seems like it was made just for you.
This manual is intended to assist you in making the various choices necessary to purchase a Rolex.
Table of Contents
Why Should You Purchase A Rolex Watch?
About Rolex And Its History
Hans Wilsdorf established the renowned Swiss watch company Rolex in 1905, and its headquarters are still located there today. In addition to sponsoring countless sports teams, athletes, cultural initiatives, and environmental protection campaigns all over the world, Rolex now sells watches in more than 100 nations and makes about a million timepieces annually.
Rolex has always been a leader in the watch industry, and the company is recognized for many ground-breaking inventions including the waterproof Oyster case and self-winding perpetual movement. In addition, Rolex is credited with developing the Submariner, one of the first dive watches ever made, and the Datejust, whose debut in 1945 practically established the way a calendar complication on a wristwatch should operate. Rolex is one of the most vertically integrated companies in the world today. The company even develops its own unique stainless steel and 18k gold alloys that are used in the manufacture of its watches, all in its own foundry in Switzerland.
A Rolex can be purchased for a variety of different reasons. Some people seek out specific Rolex models because of their incredible capacity to act as wearable investments, while others purchase them as a way to commemorate a particular life event. Rolex watches are known for their impeccable quality and widespread recognition.
Celebrations And Status Symbols
Many people decide to buy a Rolex watch as a way to commemorate a significant life event. A Rolex is always the ideal way to mark a special occasion, and you can wear it every day as a constant reminder of a remarkable time in your life, whether it is a milestone birthday, a wedding, the birth of a child, or even just reaching your professional goals.
Additionally, Rolex watches serve as global status symbols that are instantly recognizable because they are the most well-known luxury brand in the world. No matter the model or age, wearing a Rolex watch shows others that you have achieved a certain level of success in both your personal and professional lives. Nothing makes a statement like a Rolex when it comes to getting noticed and celebrating your accomplishments, even though they are not the most expensive luxury watches on the market.
Investment Potential
Most watch buyers simply buy watches they like and want to wear, but expensive timepieces also have an amazing ability to hold their value over time, and Rolex watches are able to do this better than almost anything else. The right market conditions or enough time can cause the value of Rolex watches to increase. You can wear and enjoy these investments every day.
For some customers, adding Rolex watches to their portfolio is similar to adding stocks or other assets. As opposed to any considerations pertaining to actually owning or donning the particular watch, these buyers might choose Rolex models because of their worth, scarcity, and potential future value. Although purchasing a Rolex watch is by no means a strategy to become wealthy overnight, it cannot be denied that the cost of many of them keeps rising annually. We always advise people to buy things they truly love, but if you are wise with your spending, you can make a respectable sum of money by simply purchasing the right Rolex watches, holding onto them for a while, and then selling them once the value has increased.
Does Purchasing A Rolex Watch Make Sense?
Is it worthwhile to invest in a Rolex watch in light of this? Given that a Rolex costs at least a few thousand dollars, the initial investment will be substantial for many people. Rolex watches do, however, typically maintain their value over time, as was already mentioned. Given the proper circumstances, the likelihood of them appreciating is also very high. Whether you buy a watch brand-new or used, the market demand and its condition are a few factors that can significantly impact its value. The watch is new, right? Depending on how in demand it is, it might or might not lose value after you leave the store if that is the case. What is the state of the watch if it is pre-owned? Given these elements, we believe purchasing a Rolex watch is almost always worthwhile.
Choose Your Watch Details
Watch Size
Start with the watch case size because it does matter for watches. We think that, like everything else in classic menswear, the size should always be proportional. You need a smaller watch if your wrist is thin. A larger watch is required if you have a large wrist. Overall, though, I believe that watches are going bigger and bigger, so even if you have a larger wrist, I would argue that you should avoid oversized watches with case sizes greater than 41 millimeters because they also become thicker and wider, giving off a flashy, chunky, and decidedly unattractive appearance.
Most men who are interested in Rolex watches will select a case size between 36 mm and 41 mm. A 34 mm size might be ideal for you if your wrists are exceptionally small or thin. Again, if you have a large wrist, 41 is the maximum I would advise you to use. The watch should ideally cover about two-thirds of the width of your wrist if you are unsure of what size is best for you. Visit our website’s guide for more information on watch sizes for wrists. The Submariner, which only comes in 40 mm, may not be the best option for you if you have a thin wrist.
Material And Band
Next, select the proper material and band. Because it is consistent with the sporty nature of the watch, I strongly advise choosing a stainless steel watch case and bracelet for your Rolex. Additionally, it has the highest demand, the best age resistance, and the highest value retention of any material.
Go for it if you prefer the two-tone appearance of stainless steel and gold for whatever reason. In that case, I advise you to possibly check out the vintage market since gold is much more expensive at retail, which raises the initial price. Two-tone is less in demand on the pre-owned and vintage market, so vintage prices are lower than those for stainless steel. Go ahead and purchase a Rolex Daytona in gold or platinum if you so desire. Most likely, it won’t turn out to be a bad investment.
Bezel And Dial
The dial and bezel should be examined after we’ve made our material and band selections. If this is your first nice watch or a Rolex, we advise against using flashy colors or striking details because they will make the watch less versatile and you will probably wear it less frequently. Naturally, if you’re artistic or if you love color and it fits with your personality, by all means, go for it.
Choosing a light face for the day and a dark face for the evening is advised by the proverb “light with light.” I would now contend that it is simpler to wear a light face at night than it is to do so during the day. Having said that, it’s only a generalization.
For instance, if you only want a Submariner with a dark face, it will still look good. However, because they don’t have a light face in stainless steel, watches like the new Submariner or a GMT Master II aren’t an option if you want a light face.
Choose The Right Model Of Rolex
There are many different watch models that Rolex offers, and when you’re just getting started, you might not be aware of them all. Choose between a GMT Master, a Datejust, a Submariner, a Daytona, and possibly a Sea-dweller for value if it’s your first Rolex and you want the traditional sports watch. However, they are less likely to hold their value over time than the Explorer or the Milgauss, which are both cool alternatives.
No matter which Datejust, Submariner, or GMT Master you choose to purchase, they will all resemble watches that are at least twenty, thirty, or even more years old. Because Rolex made that strategic decision, customers can rest easy knowing that their watches will retain most of their original appearance and feel for a very long time.
If you want to wear a sports watch to work with your suit, the Datejust is probably your best bet. Choose the Oyster Perpetual if you like the Datejust’s design but dislike the Cyclops magnifying glass over the date. It’s frequently not advised because it’s so basic, but in my opinion that makes it a really great choice with clean, uncomplicated lines and a very classic profile. It won’t win you any awards for originality, but it’s a good first option.
The Explorer or Explorer 2 with a 42 mm case may be the best option if you prefer a larger watch because they are sportier. It also has an interesting past because Rolex produced it in the 1950s following Sir Edmund Hillary’s ascent of Mount Everest.
One complete chronograph is the Rolex Daytona or Cosmograph Daytona. Ironically, despite being the most expensive watch in the lineup, it wasn’t very well-liked in the beginning. Rolex Daytona owned by Paul Newman was sold at auction for $17.75 million. Personally, I don’t think the Daytona in steel with a white face is as sporty as it might seem, but it might be a cool option if you’re interested in that model.
Check out the Submariner, the GMT Master 2, the Yacht-Master, or the Sea-dweller if you enjoy sporty timepieces. All of these models make excellent first choices and are even better as second additions to your collection after you’ve finished with a basic timepiece.
Find A Dealer That Has What You Want
Finding a trustworthy pre-owned dealer who carries the watch you require comes next after you have focused your search and chosen the specific Rolex model you desire. Finding a used watch dealer who carries the watch you want is one thing, but finding one who is trustworthy and reputable is far more crucial than getting a good deal.
This is one area where you never want to skimp, so you should only purchase your Rolex from a reputable and established dealer who has been in the business for a while and has a lot of good reviews. You should also purchase from a business that focuses on watches. Some local jewelry stores might offer used Rolex watches at reasonable prices, but if the staff members aren’t watching experts themselves, they might unintentionally sell you one that’s either missing genuine parts or needs a lot of work.
In general, the cheapest price is never going to be your best option when purchasing a pre-owned Rolex because you always get what you pay for in life.
Conclusion
After all of that, I will say: good luck purchasing your Recall that studies have shown that people who buy one Rolex are statistically very likely to buy a second, and even a third, as well!
