Rolex is making plenty of watches, but good luck getting your hands on one (2024)

FAQs

Why is it so hard to buy a Rolex right now? ›

Clearly, divergent supply and demand is what's driving the scarcity of Rolexes available for purchase. Demand is astronomically high, and even a supply of one million new watches per year can't meet it. It comes down to a numbers game, and there's no sign that this will be changing any time soon.

They will put you on a 2-4 year waitlist, (sometimes longer,) due to their lack of inventory. During that 2-4 year waitlist, Rolex will have more than one price increase, and by the time the watch is finally available to you, you will be paying the current market price...

Rolex has said, officially, that the shortage is purely due to unprecedented demand.

With Rolex reducing their authorized dealer network and with their increased investment into production, the supply of Rolex watches at their retail locations will be improved in 2023.

Rolex Daytona stainless steel watches are some of the hardest to come by. Demand is so large for the stainless steel references that they sell for more than some precious metal references pre-owned. New Rolex Daytona stainless steel watches in either the white or black dial can be purchased for $14,550.

The Daytona is very expensive because it's been one of the most difficult watches to get at Rolex for years.

Prices came down in Q3 2022 compared to the previous quarter

The watches that came down the most in price were often also those that appreciated the most in recent years. The Rolex Daytona 116500LN is the example given in the report. At its peak, this reference changed hands for $47,400. In Q3 2022, it was at $32,600.

How much is the cheapest Rolex? The cheapest Rolex for women is the Oyster Perpetual Reference 276200 that costs $5,300 MSRP. For the men is the Oyster Perpetual Reference 126000 at $5,800 MSRP.

How long can a Rolex last without service? ›

It is recommended to service your Rolex approximately every 10 years depending on the model and real-life usage.

Rolex made its usual new year price increase on January 1, but limited the rise to an average of around 2.5%.

To demonstrate this drop in prices, indexes of the financial performance of watches on the secondary market by WatchCharts show that popular models like the Rolex Daytona have fallen by about 23 percent from its highest in March 2022.

The most popular Rolex models saw their prices falling 21% since the peak last April. For Patek Philippe, prices of the most popular references plunged 19%.

118. In April of this year, I asked myself if the Tudor Black Bay Pro was a sort of “poor man's Rolex,” exactly as Hans Wilsdorf once intended. Wilsdorf created Tudor as a watch brand that would offer Rolex quality and service at a lower price point — more affordable timepieces that would appeal to a larger audience.

Patek Philippe arguably owns the top-tier of high-horology. Once, the most expensive watch ever sold was a Patek Philippe with many complications and sold for over 11 million dollars, second only to a Rolex that was worn by Paul Newman.

Thanks to Rolex expertise, your watch will require very little day-to-day care. You can help preserve its lustre by cleaning it occasionally with a microfibre cloth. You can also wash the case and bracelet from time to time using soapy water and a soft brush.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner is a line of sports watches designed for diving and manufactured by Rolex, resistant to water and corrosion. The first Submariner was introduced to the public in 1954 at the Basel Watch Fair. It was the first watch to be waterproof up to 100m.

Compared to many other watch brands, Rolex watches tend to retain a lot of their value even after use. Nevertheless, the price of a used Rolex is significantly cheaper than buying brand new, which allows more people to afford a Rolex and buy a more extravagant watch rather than an entry-level model.

Do Rolexes stop if you don't wear them? ›

When the Rolex isn't worn, it will slow down and eventually stop. You will need to wind the Rolex so that it continues to run as you wear it. Keep in mind that the less you wear your Rolex, the quicker it will stop running and require winding. Each Rolex has its own power reserve time.

In short, yes, you can still sell a pre-owned Rolex without the original papers. However, you'll almost certainly get less money for your Rolex than if you'd had the original papers.

A Rolex watch typically needs around 650 TPD (turns per day) in order to remain 100% wound for the day. A standard setting for a watch winder is considered to be around 750 TPD as this is generally what most modern watches require.

As you can read, there is an entry-level Rolex for all tastes, so your choice will depend on what you want and of course your wallet, in the case of the first model you can get an Oyster Perpetual from 4,300 to 29 thousand dollars.

With little sign of slowing down anytime soon, something similar happened to the preowned Rolex market. The preowned Rolex market changed due to the ongoing economic issues brought on in the wake of Covid-19 with prices naturally falling.

They often have features that are rare and high in demand. Features such as a case with pointed crown guards, an exclamation point dial, meters first dial and so on. Rare rolex watches are models that may not have been on the market for very long, which again means there's not many circulating.

A real Rolex watch must have a verifiable model number. The model number is seen on the 12 o'clock side of the watch where the band and the lug meet. There should also be an engraving of “Original Rolex Design” on top of the model number. You may need to remove the band to see the number.

In the majority of cases, a Rolex timepiece can last a lifetime, especially if it's serviced regularly. While Rolex recommends service every ten years, it's a good idea to have your watch looked at every 5 to 7 years to ensure optimal performance.

Rolex is a tool watch. That is how they made their name. It is totally appropriate to wear it every day, or as often as you wish. It is meant to stand up to everyday use.

Battery Change

It's a fairly simple process — and one that will inevitably need to be done several times throughout the watch's lifetime — so the cost is relatively low. Depending on the type of watch, it tends to cost anywhere from $10 to $90.

Do you have to shake a Rolex? ›

Winding Your Rolex

Even after you have wound it, do not shake the watch if it does not start working. Simply rotate your wrist gently, which will allow the watch to. If the watch still does not start, rather than shaking and possibly damaging your Rolex, simply put the watch aside and allow it to start on its own.

People who wear a Rolex are usually keen on details. If at one time or another you have found yourself staring at a Rolex wearer and noticing there is something bold and brilliant about him or her, it is probably because they are quite unique in a handful of ways.

If we were to look at prices from 2020 to 2023, we'd find an average price increase of approximately 20%. Of course, the individual price rises on a specific model could vary significantly within that but the overall story is clear, Rolexes are getting more expensive and they look set to continue to do so.

Rolex has built such a strong brand and reputation in the market that it's rare for a Rolex to drastically decrease in value over time. If your Rolex is kept in great condition over the course of time it's on your wrist, it will most likely maintain its value fairly well and sometimes noticeably increase in value.

Rolex watches increase in price over time as the demand and supply gap widens. This makes them an asset whose value appreciates over time.

Rolex scarcity isn't new, but it's increasingly extreme

"But with the rise of internet blogs, forums dedicated solely to watches, and Instagram, the hobby has really been democratized." This democratization applies not just to sharing information and enthusiasm, but it also affords more ways to buy and sell watches.

Rolex watches as an investment

Rolex watches can make for a good investment, as most watches do lose value over time, but Rolex, not so much. Depending on the watch that you choose, Rolex watches can even increase value over time, depending on elements like exclusivity and design.

If you take it off and set it aside, the watch will retain its “charge” for two days or more, depending on the model. However, if you haven't worn your Rolex for more than a couple of days and the watch has stopped, we recommend that you manually wind it when you set the time before putting it on.

What type of person wears a Rolex? ›

Rolex is arguably the most prestigious watch brand in the world, and it boasts a formidable selection of legendary men amongst its wearers. From sportsmen, to film stars, to political figures, many of the world's most famous men have been Rolex admirers.

Rolex is a tool watch. That is how they made their name. It is totally appropriate to wear it every day, or as often as you wish. It is meant to stand up to everyday use.