Rolex Timepieces will Always be Safe Investments

We will be frank with you: collecting Rolex watches can be an extremely safe investment, but only if you know the products and the market very well. The secret? Knowing what to look for!

It sounds easy, but it’s not. Having analyzed the prices of Rolex watches over the years, we are able to determine which Rolex models have seen their value increase tenfold, and we wanted to explain the reasons behind their success.

Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 16600 “Polipetto”

The “Polipetto” (meaning “little octopus”) was produced in 2008 to celebrate the golden jubilee of the State Police Scuba Divers Institution. Not only is it a rare watch, but it’s also one of very few Rolexes that bears the symbol of another association on its dial. Only 78 examples have been recorded worldwide. That’s one of the reasons behind the watch’s amazing success at Christie’s 2013 auction in Geneva, where it sold for CHF 125,000 ($131,250). It’s by no means cheap today, but it’s a sure investment.

Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520 in stainless steel

Although you would think a fading dial would damage the value of the original watch, the Daytona becomes more valuable when its color changes give it a unique appearance. This dial is called a “Patrizzi dial” and represents a sort of myth today. The watch is named after an Italian collector who sold a Ref. 16520 black-dial Daytona that had a brown discoloration on the rings of its subdials. This watch is a perfect example of the fact that, when you are talking about a Rolex, a flaw can become an important asset. Current value: € 18,000 ($22,500) to € 22,000 ($27,500).

Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 16610 Panama Canal

The Submariner Date Ref. 16610 Panama Canal has a current value of € 40,000 ($50,000) to € 50,000 ($62,500). Built by the United States between 1904 and 1914, the Panama Canal became property of the Republic of Panama on December 31, 1999. In order to commemorate the event, a limited edition of only 75 Submariner Date watches was produced.

Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513

Ref. 5513 is available only in stainless steel. A couple of decades after its introduction, Rolex altered the model by adding a white dial, and inverting the depth rating (660 ft = 200 m). The new design remained untouched until the end of production in 1989, and although the reference is not rare in today´s market, it’s hard to find an example that is 100 percent authentic. Instead, you will likely find Frankenstein versions of this watch, with parts that do not correspond to the right period. Current value: € 5,000 ($6,250) to € 6,500 ($8,125).

Daytona Ref. 6239 in stainless steel with Paul Newman dial

This reference was produced from 1963 until 1969, and features pump push buttons, metal-calibrated bezels, and an Oyster twinlock 600 crown. The rarest of which bears three colors on the dial. Current value: € 75,000 ($93,750) to € 95,000 ($118,750).

Rolex Ref. 6062 with Moon Phase

Nowadays, collectors must be mindful of quality and rarity.

Limited editions or watches produced in limited amounts are the best you can find, especially Ref. 6062 moon phases and Ref. 6538 James Bond models. Submariners and Daytonas personalized for Cartier and Tiffany are extremely precious, too.

Below you’ll find a longer list of the best Rolex watches to invest in. All values estimated according to recent auction results BY GUIDO MONDANI EDITORE.

ROLEX DAYTONA

Ref. 6239 in stainless steel – Current Value: € 19,000 ($23,750)

to € 24,000 ($30,000)

Ref. 6239 in stainless steel with Paul Newman dial – Current Value: € 70,000 ($87,500) to € 90,000 ($112,500)

Ref. 6239 in gold 18k catalogue price: Current Value: € 70,000 ($87,500) to € 85,000 ($106,250)

Ref. 6239 in gold 18k with Paul Newman dial – Current Value:

€ 140,000 ($175,000) to € 170,000 ($212,500)

Ref. 6241 in stainless steel – Current Value: € 21,000 ($26,250)

to €26,000 ($32,500)

Ref. 6241 in gold 18k – Current Value: € 80,000 ($100,000)

to € 95,0000 ($118,750)

Ref. 6241 in gold 18k with Paul Newman dial – Current Value:

€ 150,000 ($187,500) to € 180,000 ($225,000)

Ref. 6263 in stainless steel – Current Value: € 23,000 ($28,750)

to € 28,000 ($35,000)

Ref. 6265 in stainless steel – Current Value: : € 23,000 ($28,750)

to € 28,000 ($35,000)

Ref. 6263 in gold 18k – Current Value: € 55,000 ($68,750)

to € 70,000 ($87,500)

Ref. 6265 in gold 18k – Current Value: € 60,000 ($75,000)

to € 75,000 ($93,750)

ROLEX SUBMARINER

Ref. 1680 with white writing –  Current Value: € 6,000 ($7,500) to € 8,000 ($10,000)

Ref. 1680 with red writing – Current Value: € 12,000 ($15,000) to € 14,000 ($17,500)

ROLEX SEA-WELLER

Ref. 1665 with red writing Mark I – Current Value : € 40,000 ($50,000) to € 50,000 ($62,500)

Ref. 1665 with red writing Mark II – Current Value: € 25,000 ($31,250) to € 30,000 ($37,500)

Ref. 1665 with red writing Mark III – Current Value  € 20,000 ($25,000) to € 24,000 ($30,000)

Ref. 1665 with red writing Mark IV – Current Value: € 16,000 ($20,000) to € 20,000 ($25,000)

Guido Mondani Editore is a publishing house founded by Guido Mondani in 1979. Specializing in haute horlogerie, it has become a reference for dealers and collectors all over the world. Today, Giorgia Mondani perpetuates her father’s passion, revealing the secrets behind the most prized vintage watches, in hopes of guiding our readers towards their dream purchases. Follow the company on Instagram at @mondanidoc and @giorgiamondani