"Is it okay to just be cheap?" How to identify a truly affordable Rolex

"Rolex is expensive!" Many people probably have that image.

Rolex is one of the most prestigious luxury brands in Japan, so it will no doubt be an expensive purchase, but it is not more expensive than a luxury car.

On the contrary, some are quite affordable and even " effectively cheap ."

This time, we will introduce you to how to identify a truly cheap Rolex.

Cheap Rolex models can be purchased for under 500,000 yen

Rolex watches have a reputation for being expensive, but there are actually several models that can be purchased for under 500,000 yen.

For example, the "Air King" model has the same durability and water resistance as a Rolex, but can be purchased for around 5,000 yen . This is the list price, so it will be cheaper if you purchase it unused from a parallel store or a second-hand store.

Next is the "Oyster Perpetual." This model is a return to Rolex's roots, featuring the Oyster case and Perpetual, two of Rolex's three major inventions.

Although it is a very simple watch, it is waterproof and dustproof to a depth of 100m. It is the basis for popular Rolex models such as the Explorer and Submariner.

The actual price is around 450,000 yen , which is very affordable even among Rolexes.

There are a number of Rolex models available at affordable prices.

The average price range for a Rolex is between 1 million and 3 million yen.

Basically, Rolex is a luxury brand.

There are affordable models as mentioned above, but if you look at popular Rolex models, even the cheapest ones are usually priced at over 1 million yen.

The Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN, which was the top-selling watch in 2017, had a list price of 1,274,400 yen (tax included) .

How to tell if a Rolex is worth it

By the way, when it comes to Rolex, many people may think , "How is it different from an ordinary watch? Isn't it just more expensive?"

However, what if you thought of it not just as a luxury item, but as the exact opposite: as an investment or asset?

Even luxury watches inevitably lose value over time, but when it comes to Rolex, things are different.

One of the reasons for this is the Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN mentioned earlier. As mentioned above, this model was selected as the number one selling model in 2017. And the list price is about 1.27 million yen .

However, this model is currently traded for around 2.8 million USD .

The difference is more than two-fold.

This is related to the production system of Rolex, a luxury brand. Popular Rolex models sell out quickly even at authorized stores, and even if they are popular, they do not increase production numbers, and some models are never produced again, so once they are sold out, there are few or no opportunities to get them, even at authorized stores. This makes it easy for market prices to rise.

In other words, unlike mass-produced products, where prices drop gradually, each time a product is released it is a limited edition, so market prices are less likely to fall . In addition, Rolex, which boasts the highest name recognition in Japan, maintains a constantly high demand market.

When buying a Rolex, it is not enough to simply say that it is cheap because the purchase price is low; you also need to take market value into consideration .

Now let's take a look at how to identify a truly cheap Rolex.

Check the selling price

The easiest way to find out is to check the selling price.

Nowadays, you can find out how much second-hand shops are selling items for on the Internet without having to go to the stores.

Check the difference between the purchase price and the sale price

Popular Rolex models tend to maintain their value for a long time even in the second-hand market and are resistant to price drops. If you purchase based on the selling price, the difference between the purchase price and the selling price will be small.

For example, if you purchase a Rolex for 500,000 yen, and then you get tired of it or trade it in for another model and sell it for 200,000 yen, you will have paid 300,000 yen for that Rolex.

On the other hand, if you purchase a Rolex for 1 million yen and sell it for 800,000 yen when you trade it in, the difference will be 200,000 yen.

Even though the Rolex is twice as expensive, the actual burden of the 1 million yen Rolex is "cheaper." Of course, it is not uncommon for the market price to exceed the list price, as in the case of the popular model mentioned above , so it is possible to make a profit when selling it.

Being able to wear a higher-grade Rolex for the same amount of money has other benefits besides your own satisfaction.

That is the status that Rolex holds. As you know, Rolex is the most well-known brand in Japan. In the business world, important people are well aware of the value of Rolex. When doing big business, the "status" that Rolex holds can make all the difference between success and failure.

If you are going to entrust a transaction to someone, you want to show it to someone with a good eye and who knows what is real. By showing that kind of attention to detail, you will gain the other party's trust.

The reason why politicians and celebrities wear luxury watches is not just for show, a fad, or a hobby; it is because they know from personal experience that they are truly effective .

If you're going to pay the same amount of money and get the benefits of a Rolex, we recommend choosing a better option .

Consider the life stage of the watch

It may be a different story if you're looking to buy a watch that will last you a lifetime, but we're human, so we may get bored of it or want to move on to a different model.

There may also be a situation where you want to pass your Rolex on to your child. Some people may have a watch they want to wear in the future, but want to buy a cheaper model as an entry level model first.

For such people, we recommend choosing a Rolex, which will also serve as savings for a watch you would like to wear in the future.

Currently, the value of money is decreasing year by year due to the consumption tax increase and inflation. Ten years ago, you could buy a popular Rolex for under 300,000 yen, but now you can't even buy a used one for that amount.

Since the value of a Rolex is unlikely to change, you can sell it for a price appropriate to the era. Since a Rolex is an asset that can be traded at its true value, not its face value, there is no loss in having it in addition to the money you put in your bank account.

It's best to consult an appraiser

Although Rolexes are well worth buying, it is very difficult for an amateur to judge Rolexes that will not lose their value over the years, like those introduced so far.

Even among authorized Rolex stores, there are probably few who are familiar with the selling price. Therefore, we recommend consulting a qualified appraiser at a specialty store that specializes in the second-hand market.

Commit Ginza has a qualified appraiser on-site . We can also provide advice on how to choose a truly cheap Rolex and what kind of watch you should choose so that you can minimize the amount of money you end up spending.

Please feel free to contact us.

3 popular Rolex models that are truly "cheap"!

So far, we have introduced how to identify truly cheap Rolexes, but we will also talk about specifics. We are familiar with the second-hand market and would like to introduce three carefully selected Rolex models that are truly affordable.

Daytona

The appeal of the Daytona, which can be said to be the king of Rolex , is that it is the most popular model among Rolexes and therefore in high demand. The fact that it is a rare model that is difficult to obtain also stirs the spirit of collectors.

The Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN, which is traded for more than double the list price mentioned above, is also a Daytona.

One reason why Daytona is so popular is simply because the production volume is so low. It is so scarce that even Rolex fans who frequent official stores have never seen one in person. It is difficult to procure it even at parallel stores, not at official stores, so it is rarely seen.

Not only that, the story behind it is also excellent. Daytona has a history as the world's first waterproof chronograph watch for racing. It is also in demand due to its popularity and admiration, as it is worn by Hollywood stars. Of course, Daytona is popular among all Rolex buyers because of its excellent functions and design, and because it shines in business situations.

Daytonas often sell for more than their retail price, and the market predicts that their value will last a long time.

Even if you are not good at considering detailed models, there is no doubt that a Daytona will have a certain amount of asset value.

Submariner Date

Many people say that the stainless steel Submariner Date model will never lose its popularity. It is a classic among Rolex models and has nothing particularly unique about it, but that is why its value is stable.

Japanese people tend not to like flashy watches. Especially in a business setting, if you wear a flashy watch, you may be labeled as "out of place" or "ignorant of common sense."

The Submariner Date not only gives off a calm impression, but is also extremely well-known as an icon of Rolex, making it particularly popular in Japan .

The characteristic of these watches is that they are popular and do not drop in price, rather than exceeding the list price. However, depending on the model, the premium price can often be more than double the list price. If you are worried about the price dropping , one option is to purchase from a store that has a guarantee system such as Commit Ginza's 80% or more buyback guarantee .

GMT-Master II

The GMT Master II is one of the most popular Rolex models. Many of you may have seen the model with a two-tone bezel, such as red and blue.

The GMT-Master II is a successor to the GMT-Master, a watch made exclusively for pilots.

In addition to the hour and minute hands, the GMT Master has a GMT hand, which allows pilots to simultaneously check the time at their "current location" and "destination."

There are some minor differences between the I and II, such as how the GMT function is operated, but since only the GMT-Master II is currently on sale, you don't need to worry about this when purchasing a new watch.

The price of this GMT-Master II is also unlikely to drop, making it a popular model that retains 80 to 90% of its value when purchased new, and over 90% of its value when purchased second-hand .

summary

In this article, we introduced how to identify Rolexes that are not only cheap but also substantially cheaper. We told you that you should not just buy a cheap one, but also pay attention to the actual amount you will pay. We introduced the following methods as a way to do this.

• STEP 1: Check the selling price of the model you plan to purchase in advance
• STEP 2: Calculate the difference between the actual purchase price and the selling price to get a rough estimate. This difference will be the actual amount you will spend on the watch (it is more effective to choose a better one if it is the same price).
• STEP 3: Decide whether you want to keep the watch for the rest of your life or buy a new one after considering your life stage.
• STEP 4: You can further reduce the risk of failure by consulting an appraiser before purchasing.

And we have introduced models that are less likely to depreciate in price as they are less likely to fail.

• The King of Rolex, the Daytona, is likely to sell for more than its retail price
• The Submariner Date is a simple design that has always been popular.
• The GMT Master II is also popular as a pilot's watch.

What we have introduced this time is the general outline of the model. There are more detailed versions, so if you stop by Commit Ginza before purchasing, we will be happy to discuss with you.

Thank you for reading.
If you're interested in Rolex, be sure to check this out!
Also, if you have any luxury watches you would like to sell, please feel free to contact Commit Ginza!

If you want to buy luxury watches at a low price, be sure to come to Commit Ginza!

• "I want to sell my unused Rolex for as much as possible."
• "I want a thorough assessment."
• "I want to buy from a store with a good track record."
• "I want to buy luxury watches at low prices."

If you have these requirements, Commit Ginza is perfect for you !

Commit Ginza is a watch store that operates on the concept of " buy high, sell low " in the used watch market, where prices are said to be difficult to understand.

Our experienced watch appraisers assess the watches to determine the market value and set the appropriate price. We also strive to maximize the profit margins of our stores and improve customer satisfaction.

As a result, the commission rate for deposit sales is only 3% (industry average is 10%).

Please feel free to consult with Commit Ginza when purchasing or selling a Rolex.