What Makes Rolex Watches So Expensive?

Rolex is famous in the luxury watch world and has been for decades, but what makes Rolex watches so expensive and why do people pay the prices?

Prestigious, high profile and unmatched quality, it's no shock that Rolex is a high-demand brand.

In today's blog, we will take a look into Rolex and its iconic brand image, why Rolex watches are worth the price tag and where you can source a Rolex watch for yourself.

Rolex and Its Iconic Brand Image

It all started in 1905 when Hans Wilsdorf founded the brand and started selling pocket watches in London.

Motivated by his passion for wristwatches, he began creating wristwatches, and by 1910, Rolex became the first company in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, granted by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne.

The brand moved to Switzerland post World War 2 and now has four warehouses across the country in:

• Geneva
• Bienne
• Plan-les-Ouates
• Chene-Bourg

The world-famous brand has worked hard to hold a high reputation of sophistication, prestige and reliability. The brand carries a rich history and has always been favoured amongst watch collectors.

Has Rolex Always Been Expensive

No, Rolex watches haven't always been as expensive as they are today. They were slightly more expensive than other watches during 1905 but didn't get their luxury watch title until 1980.

As the brand started to gain more recognition and demand, the prices increased as the watch brand became one of the most expensive luxury watch brands on the market, and of course, over the years, things naturally became more expensive.

Let's take a further look into the average price you would expect to pay for a Rolex watch over the years:

Year	Average Price	% Increase
1978	$255	n/a
1984	$890	249.02%
1996	$3,275	268.54%
2005	$5,000	52.67%
2010	$6,600	32.00%
2018	$8,500	28.79%
2020	$8,500	0.00%
2023	$11,750	38.24%

This chart interestingly presents how the prices of Rolex watches have increased over time.

How Much Can I Expect to Pay For a Rolex Today?

Today, to buy a Rolex watch brand new, you can expect to pay anywhere between £5,000 and £110,000. This all depends on the model that you choose.

For example, models like the Air King, Datejust and Explorer are the lower-cost models from the luxury brand. Models like the Sky-Dweller and Day-Date are on the higher end when it comes to prices. At Miltons Diamonds, our Rolex watch collection starts from £4,375!

Most Expensive Rolex Watch Ever Sold

Rolex is known for its watches selling at high prices in auctions – especially rare models, celebrity watches and limited edition collections.

The prices people pay at auctions to get their hands on a rare luxury model are staggering, and it truly shows how sought-after this brand is!

For example, the highest-selling Rolex to date was £17.8 million! This was Paul Newman's personal Daytona watch and it sold to a telephone bidder at a Phillips auction in New York back in 2017, making history in the luxury watch industry.

Paul Newman was a successful actor, film director, race car driver, philanthropist, and entrepreneur and he passed away in 2008.

Why Rolex Is Worth the Price Tag

If you are looking for a watch that will stand the test of time then Rolex is the perfect choice for you.

Quality craftsmanship is at the forefront of the brand and it is no surprise why Rolex is so high up on the luxury watch pedestal.

Unmatched Quality

Rolex uses only the highest quality materials and precious metals in their watches – and they also use only the best watchmakers in the world.

Their watches are carefully crafted with precision and attention to detail and it takes a whole year for a watch to be made from start to finish, including the initial design to the process of building the watch. This allows them to ensure that all their watches are made to the highest possible standard.

Materials

Rolex uses materials that are hard-wearing and durable in all of their watches to ensure that all their watches truly do last a lifetime. The materials commonly used in Rolex models include:

• Gold
• Steel
• Oyster Steel
• Chromalight
• Titanium
• Platinum

Reputation

Rolex has held an excellent reputation for decades and is still one of the most popular choices in the luxury watch world.

Anyone is lucky to get their hands on a Rolex, as their craftsmanship is so high quality. That is why second-hand Rolex watches are a great choice if you are looking to grow your collection.

Rolex Watches at Miltons Diamonds

Here at Miltons Diamonds, you can get your hands on a luxury Rolex watch in no time. We have a wide selection of second-hand watches across our website and in our Merseyside stores.

We have men's and women's watches in mint condition and watches dating from 1988! All of our watches are ready to be packaged and shipped within 24 hours.

All of our watches here at Miltons Diamonds have undergone thorough checks to ensure quality. We use the latest technology to ensure that we can determine the level of reconditioning required to meet our strict standards.

Before being listed for sale all of our watches have been thoroughly checked by at least two of our watch specialists, with all Rolex watches come with a two-year warranty.

If you would like any help or guidance whilst shopping for your dream Rolex, then don't hesitate to reach out and a member of our knowledgeable team will be happy to assist you.