The Best Priced Rolex Watches Right Now

It’s no secret that Rolex watches are expensive. They are, after all, high-end luxury products that serve to signal individual style, personal success, and refined taste. However, what constitutes as “expensive” for a Rolex is relative and there are good deals to be had in the pre-owned watch market. Generally speaking, Rolex watches are incrementally improved over time rather than radically changed. As a result, many Rolex watch designs have remained remarkably similar throughout the decades. While there are of course differences between current and discontinued Rolex models, whether material or mechanical, the general design is consistent. Which is great news for savvy shoppers looking for a deal—if you know where to look. With that in mind, here is a solid strategy for finding some of the best priced Rolex watches right now.

Discontinued Rolex Watches from the Late-1980s, 1990s, and Early-2000s

Vintage Rolex watches, which are usually defined as watches older than 30 years old, are some of the most expensive timepieces in today’s market. On the other end of the spectrum, many current Rolex watches are incredibly popular, which has resulted in a secondary market that often prices them higher than retail.

However, if you turn your attention to Rolex watches made during the era in between vintage and current (specifically from the late-1980s until the early-2000s), these references offer some of the best values. Discontinued Rolex watches from this period are frequently overlooked since they’re too young to be considered vintage and typically do not come with all the bells and whistles of the latest references. While a 1990’s Submariner will have an aluminum bezel instead of modern ceramic or an early-2000s Explorer II will be 2mm smaller than today’s version, these small concessions can save you thousands of dollars when buying a pre-owned Rolex.

What’s more, many Rolex references have been known to increase in value as they get older. Therefore, buying a well-priced Rolex reference today can result in a collectible future vintage.

Discontinued Rolex Prices vs. New Rolex Prices

To illustrate our point about younger discontinued references being some of the best value for money Rolex models, here’s a table outlining price points of older watches compared to the prices of current equivalents.