Why New & Not Used: Sports models only

[DJF881]

Holding value well is a relative thing. If you flip watches every six months, selling your M or Z series for 20% off a usual new price seems about right. for a ten year-old watch, even where, as is the case with the sub, there has been no substantial change to the watch, you're really out a lot of money.

Even if you can get, say $2500 back on a watch that cost $4000 in '98, that's not really getting 70% of your money.

Consider your opportunity cost; $4000 invested in 1998 in a fund that averages a 10% annual return on the investment would be $11,412 in 2008.

Of course, depreciation would be much worse on a $4000 stereo or a $4000 television from 1998, but a Rolex still isn't an "investment." Although some enthusiasts consider all old watches "vintage," there are really only a few that are valuable to collectors, and these models are defined by their rarity. Nothing Rolex is making now will be rare in your lifetime.