Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting started, wearing a Rolex watch is a great way to elevate your status. But how much do you have to spend to get one on your wrist?
Prices of Rolex watches depend on a number of factors, including the materials used to make the watch. The bracelet, bezel, and dial can all play a role in how much you’ll pay.
The Oyster Perpetual
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is one of the cheapest Rolex watches available. This is due in part to the fact that it uses the 904L stainless steel case and dial. Nevertheless, there are a few models that come in lower case sizes and feature more expensive materials like gold or diamonds.
The Oyster Perpetual collection was revamped in 2020, adding new color options to the line. The collection includes both classic black and silver watches as well as a range of bolder colors like pink, yellow, and orange.
Regardless of which model you choose, you’ll get a high-quality timepiece that’s been built to last. The Oyster Perpetual was the first waterproof watch from Rolex, and it still holds up well against the test of time.
While many people associate the Oyster Perpetual with Rolex’s more prestigious diving and dress watches, it also makes a great everyday watch for any time of day. It’s available in a wide range of sizes and comes with several features designed to make it suitable for any occasion.
In terms of movement, the Oyster Perpetual is a mechanical timepiece that’s powered by a flexibly-mounted perpetual rotor. The rotor oscillates with the wearer’s arm motion, winding the movement slightly every time it swings.
This rotor also acts as a self-winding mechanism, which means that it never needs to be charged or wound by the owner. This enables the watch to run at a faster rate than its quartz counterparts.
However, this rotor does have a limited power reserve. For instance, the caliber 3135 in current Oyster Perpetual Date watches has a 48-hour power reserve and ticks at 28,800 vibrations per hour (vph).
The Oyster Perpetual Date is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a simple yet functional wristwatch that’s sure to impress. This model has been around for a long time, and there are a lot of vintage versions available on the market.
The Datejust
If you’re looking to purchase a pre-owned Rolex, the Datejust is one of the most popular and most versatile models. Its timeless aesthetic and wide range of designs make it a watch that will appeal to both the casual watch wearer and collector.
The Datejust was first introduced in 1945, and has been a staple of the Rolex collection ever since. It was one of the first wristwatches to feature an automatically changing date window, which was a major technological breakthrough at the time. In addition, it was the first model to feature a fluted bezel and a Cyclops lens over the date for better legibility.
Today, the Datejust has remained in constant production and remains popular for its classic aesthetic. In fact, it’s considered by many to be the most iconic Rolex model.
While there are several Datejust options to choose from, the most common are the 36 mm and 41 mm versions. These models are available in a variety of dials and styles and can be found with smooth, fluted, and diamond-set bezels.
Depending on the size and materials, these Rolex watches can cost anywhere from $10,500 to 20,000 USD. They are also known for their durability, and are COSC-certified.
In 2009, Rolex released the Datejust II to keep up with the growing trend for bigger watches. Unlike the original 36 mm model, this version features a larger case and thicker lugs.
This generation of Datejusts is also notable for introducing the hacking function, which allows you to set your second hand without affecting the rest of the time display. Its later generation of watches also saw the introduction of a quartz movement.
These movements are equipped with a blue Parachrom hairspring, which is a patented zirconium-niobium alloy that’s unaffected by magnetic fields and temperature fluctuations. They also feature Breguet balance springs and Microstella nuts that allow fine regulation of the movement.
The Datejust is available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel and two-tone combinations. You can also splurge on a model that features a gold dial and diamonds.
The Air-King
The Air-King is one of the cheapest Rolex models to buy, and it’s also one of the most sought after vintage timepieces by collectors. Its simple design and classic looks make it a versatile watch that can be worn with just about anything, from jeans to a suit. It’s also very robust, so it can handle any kind of wear and tear you can throw at it.
The original Air-King was released around 1945 and was part of a series of watches Rolex made to honor British Royal Air Force pilots who used the brand’s Oyster watches during World War II. It was a no-frills, no-nonsense model that offered 100-meter water resistance, a screw-down crown, and chronometer certification.
Today, there are several different versions of the Air-King that Rolex offers in its collection, including two references that were introduced in 2007 and another that debuted in 2016. This new generation has a much larger case (40mm) and is fitted with a newer movement. It also features a more modern Oyster bracelet and clasp that looks completely modern, while still staying true to the overall look and feel of the Air-King.
Aside from the obvious size change, this new iteration of the Air-King also features some subtle changes that will definitely appeal to many people. First, it replaced the shiny Arabic numerals at 9, 6 and 3 with a more functional luminous version, which is not only more legible but also easier to read in any light condition.
Second, it also removed the red arrow-shaped markers on the 5-minute numeral and replaced them with a more neutral looking number that is easy to see at a glance. This has improved the overall appearance of the dial, and I’m sure I’m not the only person who liked this change.
Lastly, the current iteration of the Air-King is COSC-certified, which means that it has been tested to the same level as all other Rolex watches. This is very important to any collector who is buying a watch that’s going to be used regularly, as it ensures the watch will be built to last a long time.
The Yacht-Master II
The Yacht-Master II is a unique timepiece that was first introduced in 2007. The Yacht-Master II is a watch that was originally created as a regatta chronograph.
There are a few different ways to define a chronograph, but a regatta chronograph is a type of watch that’s specifically designed to help you time out a race. These watches are often referred to as ‘regatta watches’ or ‘skipper watches’, and they’re used to help you time out races that involve boats or other competitive pursuits.
These types of sports are usually a little less about speed and more about precision, so the Yacht-Master II is a great option for someone who needs to be precise about their timing. This is because it features a countdown timer that’s programmable from one minute to ten minutes.
While it’s a bit of a niche watch, the Yacht-Master II is incredibly functional and works wonders during a race. In fact, it’s used in some of the most high-profile sporting events.
Rolex is known for its high-quality watches and it’s safe to say that the Yacht-Master II is no exception. It features a robust, in-house movement called the Calibre 4161. This is the same caliber that’s found in the Daytona Cosmograph, and it was developed with a number of unique elements.
For example, the caliber has a blue parachrom hairspring that’s made from niobium and zirconium alloy. This provides incredible durability against shocks and magnetic forces.
It also has an anti-magnetic coating that helps protect it from corrosive elements, so it can withstand the harsh conditions that a boat may encounter during a race.
The watch is also available in a variety of case sizes, materials, and bracelet styles. This makes it a versatile piece that can be worn with a wide range of wrist sizes, from those with large hands to those with smaller ones.
The Yacht-Master II is a very unique piece, and it’s easy to see why so many people are drawn to it. Its countdown timer is a great way to ensure that you’re able to accurately time out your regatta, and the bidirectional rotatable ’Ring Command’ bezel is a perfect accompaniment for it.
