How much can I get for my used Rolex Submariner?
Being among the top luxury watch companies across the globe, Rolex is an iconic brand with an extensive range of everyday luxury watches with expertly engineered tool pieces. Most of these timepieces have been around for more than a half-century and are still equally popular.
But there’s no model as beautiful as the Rolex Submariner — -which, even after 70 years of its existence, hasn’t lost its charm. For watch collectors and enthusiasts, the timepiece is still as aspiring as it was at the time of its launch. To fathom its journey as a luxury watch, we must first go through its humble and need-based creation.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF ROLEX SUBMARINER
It was during the 50s and 60s that sports watches were the new fad, making watchmakers compete for creating masterpieces. During this time, the Swiss brand Rolex set out to craft a watch that is both functional and stylish.
The result — — Rolex Submariner
Soon after its creation, the timepiece was set to test for its performance, durability, and competence. The Swiss Physicist Augustus Piccard fastened the watch on his submarine’s hull and dived in deep — -over 3100 meters below the sea level.
When he resurfaced, the watch was still ticking time without any malfunctioning or damages. Thus, the Submariner’s performance was exponential in its own league. To date, the timepiece has seen only minor adjustments to the original design.
Over the years, it garnered the attention of luxury watch-lovers as James Bond sported Rolex Submariner in one of his films. It wasn’t until the 1960s that the timepiece established a repute as a fashion statement. Since then, Submariner has become the flagship product of the most iconic brand, Rolex.
At its debut, the timepiece was more of a diver’s tool, but over the years, it has transformed into a status symbol — — consequently, one of the most imitated designs in the wristwatch industry. Its modern iteration has improved the functionalities, aesthetics, and every other aspect one can imagine. But it has long left the depths of the ocean, for which it was created, and spends most of the time hidden under the cuffs of the elites.
ROLEX SUBMARINER CONSTRUCTION
Today, the luxury wristwatch is made of better quality stainless steel, scratch-resistant ceramic bezel, and an 18k white gold needle, among other modifications. The timepiece has become all the more accurate and legible for better performance compared to its counterparts. Not to forget, only a fraction of its owners will use this luxury watch to its full potential, which involves withstanding the depth of oceans.
Released in the early 1950s, Rolex Submariner is the most popular diver’s watch. Its sleek design is equally functional and fashionable. Therefore, it has largely remained unchanged, which is a testament to its versatility and persistence. Being a true icon, Rolex Submariner is an invaluable asset.
With such a rich background and sophisticated modernization, no doubt, Rolex Submariner is one of the highest-grossing wristwatches in the “pre-owned luxury watch market.” Although there has been a 25% hike in Rolex watches retail price, but the preowned market has been more lucrative for watch collectors and horologists.
For the novice, the secondhand luxury watch market could be an overwhelming one as the cost of the timepiece not only translates the true worth but also its sentimental value for the owner. Being a century-old brand with an extensive assortment of luxury watches, Rolex Submarine has remained priceless — -thus, it could cost around $7,000 to $12,000, depending on the model and debut year.
If you’re unsure how to price your Rolex Submariner, here is an in-depth guide that will assist you in fairly pricing your vintage watches. Although there is no blue book to define the worth of your classical piece, certain factors pre-define its value.Here, we share with you a few insights on how to determine the price of a pre-owned Rolex Submariner.
Condition
The overall condition of your Rolex Submariner is the leading factor in determining the value and set the price range. As a general rule, the better the condition, the higher the price will be. But vintage defects can actually increase the value of this antique by millions of dollars.
Though the condition is a basic indicator of the watch’s worth, it doesn’t mean you need to get it serviced. The common trend among watch collectors is to cherish the “wear and tear” of an antique Rolex Submariner that shows the story of its existence and use.
But that doesn’t mean investing heavily in an unpolished Rolex. Typically, Rolex owners upkeep their timepieces with regular maintenance and preserve its mint condition. Secondly, the faded and cracked dialer is highly desirable among watch collectors. However, replacements can increase the chances of water and dust penetration; thus, you should get it professionally checked.
Model and Reference Number
Some models, including Rolex Submariner, are more popular and collectible items than the rest. However, some Submariner versions are much sought after due to their nifty designs and sleek composition. For example, the Rolex Submariner 1680, in its mint condition, can cost somewhere around $10,000-$12,000 even when without papers or box.
There are some models that look quite similar such as Ref. 5512 and 5513, but there is a stark difference in price due to the features and functionalities.
Circa-Corrected
The price of a Rolex is also dependent on its circa-corrected and original parts. While circa-corrected features components viable for the period it was manufactured, the authentic Rolex has replaced parts for improved performance. Due to modifications, authentic Rolex loses its original worth and thus lowly priced compare
d to circa-correct. Material and Color
Similar to its reference number, the bezel, casing, and bracelet of Rolex Submariner can also help you determine the worth. Stainless steel will be much cheaper than a two-toned gold one. Similarly, special models such as Submarine Hulk are much more costly, even in the secondhand market.
In addition, certain dial colors and bezels are in high demand due to their rarity. The Kermit Submariner and Submariner Hulk are much more worthy than the standard black Rolex Submariner.
Typically, Rolex is very precise about its materials as each metal undergoes a customized metallurgy process. Its 950 Platinum contains 95% platinum, while 5% are other alloys while the gold versions contain 75% of the metal. Its 940L stainless steel is corrosion free, typically used for airplanes.
Moreover, the bezels are made of a range of materials, including platinum, gold, titanium, and even patented ceramic, known as Cerachrom.
Production Year
Commonly, the production year also defines the value of the watch. The older it is, the higher will be its cost. However, the watch may have lost its luminosity but still worth thousands of dollars due to its historical creation and antiquity.
Box and Papers
Owning the original papers and box of the Rolex proves its authenticity and thus increases its overall value. Though not a key factor, it still can push the price of vintage pieces even higher.
Provenance and Rarity
The details of the Rolex Submariner can also affect the price of your timepiece. For instance, a celebrity-owned Rolex Submariner can remarkably increase its resale value. Moreover, a rare replacement, vintage defects, and unique features can upscale the value of an otherwise standard Submariner.
PRICE RANGE OF ROLEX SUBMARINER:
Here, we have listed down the price of the most popular versions; a Rolex Submariner can cost as high as $46,500.
- Rolex Submariner Date: Starts from $7,600
- Rolex Submariner No Date: Starts from $7,600
- Submariner (1990–2010): Starts from $ 7,400
- Submariner Yellow Gold: Starts from $17,000
- Submariner Gold/Steel: Starts from $8,000
Though Rolex Submariner is an iconic watch, it is one of the most counterfeited ones and therefore, chances of replicas are quite common. That is why replacements lower the prices of the Rolex classic piece. Keeping in its original condition, Rolex Submariner can be auctioned for thousands of dollars.
Irrespective of the version, each Rolex Submariner is meticulously designed to ensure the perfect harmony of each element. Compare your timepiece with the third-party collection and online resources to find the potential value of your asset.
Additionally, Rolex Submariner is a timeless watch, so it tends to stay in style even after years of its creation. Therefore, it doesn’t lose its worth even in the off the lot market and thus has a stable market value.
If you’re an avid watch collector, spotting a fake one is quite easy; however, it could be challenging for the novice. Typically, the differences are quite indistinguishable, making forgeries quite common and expertly done. Therefore, you should always get them from trustworthy resellers who have an eye for genuine pieces.
