Six reasons why collectors love Rolex watches

Dawsons look into what makes this brand so desirable...

If someone were to ask you to name a watch brand, chances are the first name that will come to mind is Rolex.

16/07/2021

It is no secret that Rolex is the most coveted and recognised watch brand. From the beginning of the first Rolex, the brand has positioned itself as the ultimate luxury watch brand. For decades, Rolex watches have graced countless celebrities' wrists and important figures such as Sir Winston Churchill.

With the innovative and distinctive design, Rolex timepieces hold a resale value over time paired with high-end technology; it's no wonder why collectors are in love with these timepieces. Here are Six reasons why collectors show immense admiration for these watches.

Dawsons have a great track record of marketing and selling these beautiful time pieces at auction - achieving fantastic prices for our clients.

Rolex ticks all the luxury watch boxes

Rolex watches have everything a luxury watch needs. The first box to tick would be, of course, to accurately tell the time! These timepieces are beautiful creations that bring together updated technology and precious elements to maintain accuracy and look incredible at the same time. One other reason collectors love the brand is because Rolex excludes unusual complications. For example, the timepieces typically have no tourbillons, minute repeaters, power reserve indicators, or even alarm functions. Rolex focuses on what they do best by refining the movement, the case, and other tiny details.

^{1982 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Explorer II. Sold £25,000}

Purpose built watches

Rolex has created many different classic watch models for specific and functional purposes. Vintage watch collectors love this idea; for example, Rolex manufactured the Rolex GMT-Master for Pan-Am’s pilots who encountered a new phenomenon known as jetlag. The pilots wanted a timepiece that could exhibit time of two time-zones at once. Similarly, the Rolex Submariner was created especially for divers.

^{A Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. Sold £5,500}

Can stand the test of time

Rolex created the Explorer model, with specifically mountain climbers in mind, to be tough and rugged. Special lubricants were used in the movement that combatted extreme temperature changes between day and night. The Oyster Perpetual chronometer is one of the immediate ancestors of the Explorer that accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay during their expedition in 1953 to the peak of Mount Everest. The watch can be seen in working condition at the Beyer Watch and Clock Museum, Zurich.

^{A gold and diamond Rolex Oyster Perpetual DateJust. Sold £7,600}

Subtle differences

Rolexes' stark appeal is in the varying bezels, crown guards, dials, and other features. The Subtle differences of an ‘exclamation’ dial, a ‘Bart Simpson’ dial, or an ‘underline’ dial can increase the value and collectability of a Rolex watch.

^{A rare Rolex Oyster Perpetual 'Doninos Pizza'. Sold £3,500}

Holding value

All Rolex watches hold inherent value, and their prices typically improve with time. Many possible Rolex buyers in London or anywhere in the UK often promise to pay the highest price for pre-owned Rolex watches also in good working order. However, there are exceptions. For example, the value of sport watch models like Rolex Daytona, Rolex Explorer, and Rolex Submariner typically increases faster and steadier than other prevailing classic Rolex timepieces.

^{Hans Wilsdorf}

Quality

The founder of Rolex, Hans Wilsdorf (above), set for an enduring quest for perfection that has survived to the present day. Not only does Rolex claim to take 12 months to create each watch, but each of the Oyster Perpetual watches also undergoes rigorous tests at the Official Swiss Control of Chronometers (COSC.)

^{A rare 1972 Rolex GMT Master 'Pepsi' ref. 1675 stainless steel automatic wristwatch. Sold £16,500}

Six reasons why collectors love Rolex watches

Dawsons look into what makes this brand so desirable...

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