How to buy a Rolex watch second-hand

In the world of luxury timepieces, Rolex stands as an epitome of elegance and craftsmanship. Purchasing a pre-owned Rolex watch can offer both a chance to own a piece of horological history and a smart investment opportunity. 

However, navigating the realm of second-hand Rolex watches requires careful consideration and knowledge. In this guide, we unveil essential tips and insights to empower you with the expertise needed to make an informed and satisfying purchase.

Why choose a Rolex watch?

Rolex watches maintain their value exceptionally well, outperforming most other watch brands. While they might require a significant initial investment, they can often be resold at the same price or even higher after several years, provided they are well-maintained.

These watches also have exceptionally consistent quality across their various models, ensuring accurate timekeeping. The standards upheld by Rolex in terms of both design and manufacturing are exceptionally stringent.

While there are numerous exceptional luxury watch brands available (many of which are offered at Luxe Watches ), we can’t deny that Rolex stands out. Just the name has become almost synonymous with the concept of a luxurious timepiece.

Wearing a Rolex watch signifies that you are adorning yourself with a piece of history.

Which Rolex to buy?

The range of models can be confusing. Because a Rolex is a big investment, you want to feel confident in your decision.

To help you make a more specific decision, consider the following points:

• Two of the most popular collections from Rolex are the Rolex Daytona and the Rolex Submariner.
• For those aiming for a relatively lower-priced Rolex, the Explorer models are often a great starting point, serving as an excellent entry-level option.
• If you have your sights set on the type of iconic Rolex frequently featured in movies, the pricier Datejust watches might be what you’re seeking.

It’s important to choose a Rolex that genuinely excites you. In many ways, this matters more than any expert advice. Thanks to their unparalleled craftsmanship, any Rolex you select is likely to meet or exceed your expectations.

Pre-owned Rolex price guide

Pre-owned watches come in various ages, models, conditions, and levels of popularity, which makes it hard to give brief rules of thumb.

However, based on previous sales at Luxe, we can share the following data that you may wish to use as a guideline.

	Average	High	Low
Explorer	£6,783.50	£10,495.00	£3,095.00
Datejust	£6,186.66	£10,995.00	£2,021.00
Air-King	£5,486.00	£10,995.00	£2,595.00
Daytona	£23,615.25	£140,000.00	£6,995.00
Milgauss	£6,709.17	£9,995.00	£4,295.00
Submariner	£10,732.37	£40,995.00	£3,395.00
GMT-Master	£18,786.15	£149,995.00	£5,395.00
Sea-Dweller	£11,746.75	£19,995.00	£5,000.00
Yacht Master	£16,976.98	£89,995.00	£3,295.00
Lady Datejust	£9,253.00	£29,995.00	£2,995.00
Pearl Master	£43,578.33	£86,995.00	£22,495.00
Sky Dweller	£23,434.14	£50,995.00	£13,495.00
Day-Date	£27,678.53	£71,995.00	£7,295.00

Rolex as an investment?

We have investigated the historic investment yields of luxury watches compared to other items. Watches have outperformed many other investment types including the stock market, and when you break it down by brand, Rolex is comfortably in the top 3 for investment returns in recent years.

Buying Rolex pre-owned – What should you know?

There is a well-established second-hand market for Rolex that has been in place for decades. At Luxe, we adhere to the standards of these markets to ensure our customers’ satisfaction. As a prospective buyer of a pre-owned Rolex, there are a few important points to keep in mind.

When you purchase a brand-new Rolex, it typically comes with accompanying “paperwork” or “papers.” This includes a historical guarantee that was traditionally printed on paper but is now often in the form of a plastic card. When buying a pre-owned Rolex, it’s crucial to verify whether this guarantee is included. Rolex does not offer replacements for lost guarantees, even if you reach out to them directly. 

Aside from the guarantee, a pre-owned Rolex might also come with additional items such as a box, manual, and/or receipt. While not essential, these items can hold significance for collectors. If possessing these supplementary items is important to you, we recommend checking the product description or reaching out to us for clarification before making a purchase.

At Luxe, whenever possible, we provide our pre-owned Rolex watches with the original paperwork. In instances where the paperwork is absent, we transparently state this fact in the product description, and this is reflected in the pricing.

Finally, be confident that you are buying from a reputable dealer. As with any luxury product, some sellers will attempt to scam unsuspecting buyers with stolen or counterfeit goods. If you have any questions or concerns about your purchase, we’re very happy to talk them through with you. Luxe Watches has been in business since 2011 and has a reputation for excellent service in this industry.

Buying via Luxe Watches

Buying from Luxe watches means buying from luxury watch professionals with decades of combined experience.

We aim to sell watches with their original box and paperwork where possible. If either is not available, this is stated in the product description and reflected in the price.

We send watches via secure delivery to be received within seven days of payment.

If you expect your watch to need strap length adjustment to fit your wrist, send us a message and we will make the adjustments.

We have a reputation for excellent customer service and are very happy to talk through any questions or issues you have. Just give us a call or visit us in our store in Epping, just outside of London.
Have any other questions? Check our FAQ here.