Customer demand guides the price of a Rolex. Are you wondering, “How much does a Rolex watch cost?” Find out here.
Taste is an acquired thing, especially when it comes to watches. The desire to own an exceptional timepiece comes with time, becoming a reflection of our identity. To put it in better words, it is an extension of our personality.
Many watch enthusiasts consider a Rolex watch to be the pinnacle of success. When we make it big, we naturally want to mark it with something special.
More often than not, it’s a Rolex watch. They are investments that retain value and style, after all.
But how much does a Rolex watch cost? You won’t know the answer unless you own a few or research them in great detail.
So, I’m going to help break the price of Rolex watches down. Then you can decide whether investing in one is what you really want (or even doable).
Table of Contents
The Average Cost of a Rolex
Before we delve into the specifics, note that an entry-level Rolex watch will vary depending on the model. While some manufacturers pitch their prices similarly across their entire catalog, Rolex is slightly different.
Rolex watch prices start at around $5,500 and reach up to $75,000. Over the last few years, their retail price has risen by 18%, causing collectors to turn to the pre-owned market.
The average cost of a new mid-range Rolex watch is around $6,500. Of course, this excludes highly covetable models and rare designs, which can demand much higher prices.
Why Rolex Watches Are Costly
Before considering what you should expect to pay for a Rolex watch, let’s explore why they’re so costly.
Some of the world’s most high-profile individuals, including famous sportsmen, musicians, and world leaders, wear Rolexes.
The entry-level price of a Daytona, for example, differs vastly from an entry-level Oyster Perpetual. In fact, when you look at an Oyster Perpetual or an Air-King, Rolex offers some affordable options.
The difference comes when we look at scarcity and popularity. Those models in high demand will fetch much higher prices on the pre-owned market than their retail price.
This is especially true for new Rolex models with huge waiting lists or discontinued designs.
You see, supply never seems to meet demand when it comes to high-end luxury watch manufacturing. Some sought-after Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe rack up substantial waiting lists.
Rather than wait, collectors turn to the grey market or second-hand platforms. This often results in excessive prices that hardcore fans are happy to pay.
Other factors that determine why Rolex watches are costly include its materials, complications, and features. If it’s a pre-owned Rolex watch, its condition will determine its price.
How Much Does a Rolex Watch Cost?
So, how much do Rolex watches cost? Perhaps we should start with the question everyone wants to know. How much is the most expensive Rolex watch?
The Rolex watch that sold for the most was Paul Newman‘s very own Daytona. These watches are expensive enough. But the actor’s treasured timepiece sold for a breathtaking $17.7 million when auctioned in 2017.
Like so many luxury watches, retail and market prices are very different. That said, the gap is definitely closing. Hot models are notoriously expensive, while the less popular models offer great value for money.
Let’s look at the price of some of the brand’s most popular collections.
The Daytona
The Rolex Daytona is the brand’s famous racing chronograph from the 1960s. The sporty timepieces’ distinctive features include push-pieces flanking the winding crown, a tri-compax dial, and a tachymeter bezel.
The most expensive Daytona is the ref. 116506, with a platinum case and ice blue baton dial. Its most recent market price is a jaw-dropping $110,000.
Daytona watches are incredibly difficult to acquire at retail prices. The demand is so high, particularly after the steel variant got its ceramic bezel in 2016.
However, some much more affordable options exist, like the steel and yellow gold ref. 116503. This model’s market price is around $19,000.
The Submariner
The latest update to the Submariner design came in 2020. But the manufacturer’s iconic dive watch has been around since 1953. It features a waterproof Oyster case, a legible dial, and a rotating bezel.
The Sub’s features improved over time, resulting in better water resistance and a Cerachrom bezel that resists color fading. Since then, new generation movements have guaranteed better reliability and longer power reserves.
Today, you can pick a Rolex Submariner up for as little as $9,000 retail. Sometimes, models on the pre-owned market can cost a couple of thousand dollars more. The ref. 124060LN is a 41mm no-date version with a black dial and steel bracelet.
Alternatively, the Rolex Submariner ref. 116610LV “Hulk” is a highly desirable model. It arrived in 2003, and Rolex discontinued it in 2011. This caused its original value of $9,800 to double on the second-hand market.
One of the market’s most expensive Rolex Submariner watches is the reference 126619LB. Nicknamed the “Blueberry”, it features a black dial, blue bezel, and an 18ct white gold case. That model can fetch around $40,000.
The Datejust
The Rolex Datejust is a relatively young generation of watches, released in 2016. The brand’s flagship dress watch comes in various dial designs and case materials. Generally speaking, the Datejust is relatively affordable. The models in this family range from around $10-15,000 on the pre-owned market.
The most affordable is the black dial and Oystersteel reference 126300. If you want to spend a little extra, however, take a look at reference 126331.
This one features a steel case and a rose gold fluted bezel. Acquiring one of these from the second-hand market will set you back around $15,000.
The GMT-Master II
Like many of the brand’s iconic designs, the price of the Rolex GMT-Master II greatly depends on the model.
When the original GMT-Master began featuring an independent hour hand, the brand changed the name to the GMT-Master II. Today, this second generation offers several bezel, bracelet, and dial options.
One of the most sought-after of all is the GMT-Master II “Pepsi2”. Following the pandemic, prices shot up for this blue and red colorway.
The “Sprite” variant with a green and black bezel has also proved popular over the years. However, the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” tops the lot. In particular, the reference 126719BLRO features a meteorite dial, costing around $43,000 on the pre-owned market.
How Much Does It Cost To Service a Rolex Watch?
Similar to the condition, model, and materials of a Rolex watch, the cost of a service depends on several things.
The model will influence the service cost drastically since these timepieces can vary from simple to complex. For example, if you own a Sky-Dweller or Yacht-Master II, their complications require more skill and expertise.
Another factor determining the answer to “How much does it cost to service a Rolex Watch?” is age.
If Rolex discontinues a watch or one becomes vintage, the parts required to repair it are expensive and harder to source. This is one reason why regularly servicing your Rolex is integral to owning one.
On average, you can expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 for a standard Rolex service. Given that the Daytona is one of Rolex’s priciest offerings, it makes sense that a repair could cost around $2,000.
The Takeaway — Don’t Forget About Maintenance
If you’re asking yourself, “How much does a Rolex watch cost?” One thing is worth noting. You need to consider more than just the initial price of the watch.
Ensuring the maintenance and care of these investments is part of the package of owning one.
There is no denying that a Rolex watch continually costs money to keep. But given the joy they bring, many collectors would argue they are worth every penny.
That said, some specific models continue to appreciate long after you buy them. In cases like this, the cost of wearing and maintaining a Rolex really does pay for itself.
What did you pay for your Rolex? Let us know in the comments below!
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