Investing in a Rolex
Discussion
Hello all,
I really want to buy a Rolex in the next few months but before I do is there anything I should be looking at in particular to make it an investment? I would prefer the watch to appreciate in the future and not depreciate? I'm talking about within the next 20 years?
Thanks you help will be appreciated.
I really want to buy a Rolex in the next few months but before I do is there anything I should be looking at in particular to make it an investment? I would prefer the watch to appreciate in the future and not depreciate? I'm talking about within the next 20 years?
Thanks you help will be appreciated.
For current models, no matter what people say, if you buy new you'll be lucky not to lose money. If you buy used and you're lucky you will probably keep about even or make a little bit. Any losses will be lower with stainless steel sportswatches, and bi-gold non-sports will lose a horrible amount of money (if bought new).
If you are buying vintage pieces, make sure dial and hands are totally orignal and patina match, the case isnt over polished and there is service history. Make sure you have the full set of boxes, manuals, papers, hang tags etc. If you buy a popular model, you have a decent chance of making some money.
You can buy vintage watches without the full set, but the less you get the less chance you'll have of making any real money (IMO) - However, for balance, I never buy full sets as I feel a lot of the cost of the watch is just sat in my safe - you cant wear papers.
When you factor in servicing (which is increasingly expensive) and the high entry costs - rolex really arent an 'investment' these days. However, if you'd like a place to put a few grand which you can enjoy, then get the money back, you can't go far wrong.
If you are buying vintage pieces, make sure dial and hands are totally orignal and patina match, the case isnt over polished and there is service history. Make sure you have the full set of boxes, manuals, papers, hang tags etc. If you buy a popular model, you have a decent chance of making some money.
You can buy vintage watches without the full set, but the less you get the less chance you'll have of making any real money (IMO) - However, for balance, I never buy full sets as I feel a lot of the cost of the watch is just sat in my safe - you cant wear papers.
When you factor in servicing (which is increasingly expensive) and the high entry costs - rolex really arent an 'investment' these days. However, if you'd like a place to put a few grand which you can enjoy, then get the money back, you can't go far wrong.
Buy to enjoy
They aren't investments. On the face if it an appreciating asset sounds attractive but if you want to "invest" you are bette putting your money into a stable index fund.
As said you can minimise losses if you wish. You can get 9% off new steel sports rolexes by buying a euro import and several brokers will give you a price.
Bi metal non sports do loose a lot. Buying second hand can be a mine field. People sell fakes or real with fake bracelets.
I would recommend firstly deciding what you like then finding a trusted source.
I would look at new turfers forum for used
Iconic watches / Dominic Hackett watches for new as they are both good brokers.
Stay within trusted suppliers and might not get the dirt cheapest but you will get 100% genuine, usually fully documented good watches.
It isn't an investment in the traditional sense of the word. It is only really a business when you become a broker and flip them for margin.
They aren't investments. On the face if it an appreciating asset sounds attractive but if you want to "invest" you are bette putting your money into a stable index fund.
As said you can minimise losses if you wish. You can get 9% off new steel sports rolexes by buying a euro import and several brokers will give you a price.
Bi metal non sports do loose a lot. Buying second hand can be a mine field. People sell fakes or real with fake bracelets.
I would recommend firstly deciding what you like then finding a trusted source.
I would look at new turfers forum for used
Iconic watches / Dominic Hackett watches for new as they are both good brokers.
Stay within trusted suppliers and might not get the dirt cheapest but you will get 100% genuine, usually fully documented good watches.
It isn't an investment in the traditional sense of the word. It is only really a business when you become a broker and flip them for margin.
I'm not a seasoned rolex buyer but I think it's fair to say in the first year on a steel sports submariner you loose 10% and then a further 3-5% per year for another couple of years. It then bottoms out and starts to track rolex price increases which can happen radomly, we haven't had one since 2012 but before this I think we had 2 in quick succession.
We are probably due another soon, possibly next year.
As with any investment any money you loose takes longer to recover.
We are probably due another soon, possibly next year.
As with any investment any money you loose takes longer to recover.
CSJXX said:
Ok thank you for your help.
I would be buying it to wear. I like the GMT or the submariner. Going to try some on to make my final decision. I wasnt sure if I should buy new or vintage?just didn't want to loose money on it!
thanks
By vintage you are referring to pre 1970/80 watches? I would be buying it to wear. I like the GMT or the submariner. Going to try some on to make my final decision. I wasnt sure if I should buy new or vintage?just didn't want to loose money on it!
thanks
Steel sports still fetch good money, maybe 1k less than a 2006 model and 1.7k less than brand new. But you might need a 400 quid service and bracelet rebuild if you want a daily wearer. Accuracy might not be so great either but probably within spec.these watches are very solid.
As for the sub, a new one you get slightly newer components, visually a ceramic bezel, new case shape, solid link bracelet with flip lock adjustment and new clasp. Plus newer mechanism components. A lot of people like the classic shape sub, pre 2010.
Some vintage subs fetch a serious premium because of their colouring and rarity. I personally would look at one a few years old for about 4.1k private for a date or 4.4k good used private from dealer. Saves you nearly 1k over brand new and get you classic sub shape. Very unlikely to loose much more. 2006 - 2008 watch, probably needs service as per schedule... But a lot of people don't bother. You only really need to bother if your accuracy becomes an issue and I would make sure the crown seal is in good shape as that is where water gets in.
I would recommend you check new turfers forum and be ready to pounce if one comes up from a trusted seller. They really don't hang about. Make sure it has papers and box and serial matches papers. If it's from a trusted seller with references you should have no issue.
I snoozed once and lost a good watch by a matter of hours. You could go to watchfinder website and get a polished watch sometimes without papers for more money.
Edited by bp1000 on Monday 14th July 21:06
It will never be an investment (unless you are lucky) but Rolex are probably the slowest depreciating watch you can buy. But you will still loose more than if you bought a £100 Seiko. Factor in servicing and bracelet rebuilds cos of their legendary poor quality and....................you are far better off with a cheap watch if 'minimising money loss is a buying factor.
Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 15th July 09:07
You'll need to buy a pre-owned S/S sports model with box and full set of papers (i.e. guarantee, receipt, sales invoice,swing tags, user manual, etc) and hold it for at least 10 years. My GMT II cost £1,900 in 2003 and will get me around £3.500 as a trade sale with box and papers. That's equivalent to around 8 per cent a year - which outperforms most instant access accounts! Thing is - I'm unlikely to ever sell it!
sparkyhx said:
It will never be an investment (unless you are lucky) but Rolex are probably the slowest depreciating watch you can buy. But you will still loose more than if you bought a £100 Seiko. Factor in servicing and bracelet rebuilds cos of their legendary poor quality and....................you are far better off with a cheap watch if 'minimising money loss is a buying factor.
Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
You've obviously spent too much time on Omega forums. The oyster bracelet's, old or new, are incredibly well designed and will last a lifetime if you clean them regularly and wear them correctly (not loose). Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 15th July 09:07
ExplorerII said:
sparkyhx said:
It will never be an investment (unless you are lucky) but Rolex are probably the slowest depreciating watch you can buy. But you will still loose more than if you bought a £100 Seiko. Factor in servicing and bracelet rebuilds cos of their legendary poor quality and....................you are far better off with a cheap watch if 'minimising money loss is a buying factor.
Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
You've obviously spent too much time on Omega forums. The oyster bracelet's, old or new, are incredibly well designed and will last a lifetime if you clean them regularly and wear them correctly (not loose). Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 15th July 09:07
Look on the sales sections of some well known watch forums. In many of the Rolex ads you'll see a shot of the watch head being held vertically with the bracelet dangling horizontally. This gives the buyer some idea of the amount of stretch in the links. Whilst it's true that the Oyster bracelet stretches less than the older style of the Jubilee, both can and do suffer. The new solid link bracelets (and the newer clasps) are a huge improvement over the old ones.
And FWIW, Omega got their bracelet act together years and years before Rolex did.
Riff Raff said:
ExplorerII said:
sparkyhx said:
It will never be an investment (unless you are lucky) but Rolex are probably the slowest depreciating watch you can buy. But you will still loose more than if you bought a £100 Seiko. Factor in servicing and bracelet rebuilds cos of their legendary poor quality and....................you are far better off with a cheap watch if 'minimising money loss is a buying factor.
Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
You've obviously spent too much time on Omega forums. The oyster bracelet's, old or new, are incredibly well designed and will last a lifetime if you clean them regularly and wear them correctly (not loose). Having said that many higher end watches reach a trough at which you don't loose much more..........and there are many far more interesting choices than Rolex's
buy any watch second hand to reduce 'loss' this applies to Rolex as much as any other brand, its just for some bizarre reason the % loss is lower for Rolex than other brands.
Edited by sparkyhx on Tuesday 15th July 09:07
Look on the sales sections of some well known watch forums. In many of the Rolex ads you'll see a shot of the watch head being held vertically with the bracelet dangling horizontally. This gives the buyer some idea of the amount of stretch in the links. Whilst it's true that the Oyster bracelet stretches less than the older style of the Jubilee, both can and do suffer. The new solid link bracelets (and the newer clasps) are a huge improvement over the old ones.
And FWIW, Omega got their bracelet act together years and years before Rolex did.
My oldest watch (ORIS) is about 15 years old and solid as a rock. My wifes datejust has already had 2 links replaced and its about the same age.
Edited by sparkyhx on Wednesday 16th July 14:42
Yes like mentioned the new super jubilee with solid d links doesn't stretch like they use to.
Oval links had stretch problems.
I don't think any 30-50 year old watch wouldn't show signs of requiring a movement service and bracelet rebuild
If you buy vintage you should be a collector and never touch the dial, case, bracelet, bezel.
Just buy something 10 years or newer
Oval links had stretch problems.
I don't think any 30-50 year old watch wouldn't show signs of requiring a movement service and bracelet rebuild
If you buy vintage you should be a collector and never touch the dial, case, bracelet, bezel.
Just buy something 10 years or newer
Quinny said:
Riff Raff said:
And FWIW, Omega got their bracelet act together years and years before Rolex did.
Except, they still don't offer a simple micro adjust feature, so that the owner of an expensive omega can get a perfect fit
Riff Raff said:
Quinny said:
Riff Raff said:
And FWIW, Omega got their bracelet act together years and years before Rolex did.
Except, they still don't offer a simple micro adjust feature, so that the owner of an expensive omega can get a perfect fitIt beats the flip lock sub that gives 2mm adjustments
Wow omega must have stepped up!
bp1000 said:
Really?
It beats the flip lock sub that gives 2mm adjustments
Wow omega must have stepped up!
Having just bought a new omega.... I accept that it'll be a bit of a lottery if I can get it to fit properly or notIt beats the flip lock sub that gives 2mm adjustments
Wow omega must have stepped up!
Unlike my crappy old sub clasp, that takes a pin and seconds to fit perfectly...
.... I love omega watches, and am looking forward to my new one arriving....BUT, they do need to step up the bracelet adjustment systems.My SD 16600 has appreciated markedly since I bought it, secondhand (worn but excellent condition, original box and papers), for £1600 about six years ago. No interest in selling it, but it's certainly worth double what I paid, maybe a bot more. As a percentage, that's a good return, but a £2k gain over six years isn't actually a lot of money gained, is it?
I like the fact that it's not losing money, and that it's a nice watch to wear, but in terms of proper investing I'd look elsewhere.
I like the fact that it's not losing money, and that it's a nice watch to wear, but in terms of proper investing I'd look elsewhere.
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