What does the future hold for rare Rolex models?

[Token74]

So many people on here dismiss the notion of buying a Rolex as an investment, for some reason it seems to be frowned upon, and I don't get it!

I'm not suggesting there is money to be made on a modern Rolex like there was on a Milsub or Paul Newman, but let's be clear about what classifies as an investment.

I define an investment to be something that either (a) goes up in value in actual terms or (b) something that goes up in value in terms of money and experience combined.

Firstly, under the (a) definition, if you buy well, a Rolex will tick that box. It may take years, and it will significantly under-perform almost every other sensible financial investment, but it is an investment nonetheless. If in it not for financial gain, buying a modern Rolex and sticking it in a safe is almost certainly a poor way to invest, but it doesn't stop it being an investment.

In terms of definition (b), this is where a Rolex is a sound investment. To own something that you enjoy, that you will probably at least recover your cash on one day, is for me a great investment.

Value, and thus investment, is not just about cash. Keeping fit is a good investment, going on holidays to relax and recharge is a good investment, paying for health checks is a good investment, and kids are a good investment. All of these things are bad investments In pure financial terms, but they are good investments.

And as for the comment about 99% of people buy for enjoyment and not investment, I think you'll find that for a lot of us, residual values are an important factor. I can currently afford to buy Rolex watches, but that could change and I might need to liquidate them. If I wasn't confident that I could get at least most of my cash back, I would never be able to justify taking the cash out the bank and losing my financial safety net for a watch.

My good lady wife is very happy that I've ordered the new Daytona, but she is miffed that despite the cash being available, I'm not prepared to build an extension on the house. The simple fact is that if business takes a turn for the worse I can flip the watches and all is well. If I build an extension and business takes a turn for the worse, I can't liquidate it without selling the family home or taking debt.

So I guess I'm just saying that many of us normal folk do have to consider the financial impact of buying a watch, and as such, investment value is important.

[irish john]

the short hands explorer will be in demand

maybe

[Gabe218]

Originally Posted by Token74

So many people on here dismiss the notion of buying a Rolex as an investment, for some reason it seems to be frowned upon, and I don't get it!

I'm not suggesting there is money to be made on a modern Rolex like there was on a Milsub or Paul Newman, but let's be clear about what classifies as an investment.

I define an investment to be something that either (a) goes up in value in actual terms or (b) something that goes up in value in terms of money and experience combined.

Firstly, under the (a) definition, if you buy well, a Rolex will tick that box. It may take years, and it will significantly under-perform almost every other sensible financial investment, but it is an investment nonetheless. If in it not for financial gain, buying a modern Rolex and sticking it in a safe is almost certainly a poor way to invest, but it doesn't stop it being an investment.

In terms of definition (b), this is where a Rolex is a sound investment. To own something that you enjoy, that you will probably at least recover your cash on one day, is for me a great investment.

Value, and thus investment, is not just about cash. Keeping fit is a good investment, going on holidays to relax and recharge is a good investment, paying for health checks is a good investment, and kids are a good investment. All of these things are bad investments In pure financial terms, but they are good investments.

And as for the comment about 99% of people buy for enjoyment and not investment, I think you'll find that for a lot of us, residual values are an important factor. I can currently afford to buy Rolex watches, but that could change and I might need to liquidate them. If I wasn't confident that I could get at least most of my cash back, I would never be able to justify taking the cash out the bank and losing my financial safety net for a watch.

My good lady wife is very happy that I've ordered the new Daytona, but she is miffed that despite the cash being available, I'm not prepared to build an extension on the house. The simple fact is that if business takes a turn for the worse I can flip the watches and all is well. If I build an extension and business takes a turn for the worse, I can't liquidate it without selling the family home or taking debt.

So I guess I'm just saying that many of us normal folk do have to consider the financial impact of buying a watch, and as such, investment value is important.

Exactly my point. If you're going to buy a watch, most sensible people would not only consider how much they like it but whether they will at least get a return on it should they wish to sell it whatever that reason maybe. Unlike a car for example, a very poor financial investment, which will almost always drop significantly in value the second you drive it out the dealership.

[manivxr]

Crystal ball gazing. Just wear and enjoy. That way you never lose.

Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

[Zweig]

It doesn't have to be a Rolex, the big winner could be a Tudor.
Maybe a blue Tudor sub... who knows ?

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Gabe218

What does the future hold for rare Rolex models

What do you mean by rare as the definition of rarity is basically, unusualness, uncommonness, singularity, uniqueness; scarcity, scarceness, sparseness.Afraid no modern day Rolex fits into any of the rare categories.

[malnik]

Only if you can get a small batch production Rolex, which is pretty exclusive. I don't think any Rolex that you can just walk in and buy from an AD would even retain its original value.

[joe100]

Originally Posted by malnik

Only if you can get a small batch production Rolex, which is pretty exclusive. I don't think any Rolex that you can just walk in and buy from an AD would even retain its original value.

This.

The only small batch Rolex I can think of is the Japan-only ToG with the green accents. Something like 100 made? Not sure.

[brace786]

in my opinion, the very rare ones would definitely appreciate in price

[JP Chestnut]

The cream dial explorer 2 and blackout explorer 1 will be collectible. Modern? Somewhat.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by joe100

This.

The only small batch Rolex I can think of is the Japan-only ToG with the green accents. Something like 100 made? Not sure.

There were 600 made, 300 white, 300 black dial, and all were F and D serials, and its funny that many on forum at the time stated they must be old stock because of the serials, as they were launched around October/November 2012.

Originally Posted by brace786

in my opinion, the very rare ones would definitely appreciate in price

Can you please list any rare modern day Rolex from 1988 till present time as I cannot think of a single one.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by padi56

Can you please list any rare modern day Rolex from 1988 till present time as I cannot think of a single one.

The cream/rail dial explorer 2 is rare. I'm not sure if it's +/- 1988. A better question is, what six digit model is rare - none.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by padi56

There were 600 made, 300 white, 300 black dial, and all were F and D serials, and its funny that many on forum at the time stated they must be old stock because of the serials, as they were launched around October/November 2012.


Can you please list any rare modern day Rolex from 1988 till present time as I cannot think of a single one.

Mark 1, Oval 'O', 'R' in 'Oyster' aligned with gap between left and right feet of 'R' in 'Rolex', '5 Ticks', Flat 4 (2003 Issue Models ONLY), From Y966xxx 19 September 2003 To F068XXX November 2003

that is the only 1 i can think of.

[Original Dunnie]

If we look at sport or tool models specifically, not PM or anything like that, and we look at what's considered rare and valuable, we must first look at the cost and design associated with them to begin with. Subs could be bought for a few hundred dollars, at military PX's by guys making $90/month. GMT's were designed for pilots, Daytona's for race car drivers. These were "tools" that were a necessity for there given intention, whether it be to tell time, or clock a kilometer. In a time that was missing computers and smart phones. Their application has nothing to do with investments or luxury, but rather with reliability. When a diver bought a submariner in 1967, he didn't buy it because it was red, or gilt, or matte. He bought it, for a hefty price at the time, because it worked. Decades later, WE are the ones who have decided to award value to these things because we felt they were worth while.

Fast forward to today, and those of us buying new(er) Rolex watches are not interested in their design and application. We may be drawn to that. I'm a diver, and I love my sub. You might be into cars and therefore drawn to the Daytona. We buy these watches as a luxury item. But in the decades to come, will anyone be interested in my sub, that was never used to dive? Will anyone be interested in your Daytona because it had a ceramic bezel? Maybe? Only time will tell.

I think we have attached value to these pieces based on their perceived value, and their intended application, in a world where that application is never actually used.


Who knows. I might be dead wrong. And for those of us handing over vast amounts of cash...I hope that I am.

-CD