The market for vintage watches and investment in iconic models is still booming. It is estimated to be worth between 2 and 3 billion dollars, according to an article in the American magazine Fortune. In all the articles dedicated to the subject, two brands always come out on top: Rolex and Patek Philippe.
N°1: The Daytona
The average price of this emblematic model has doubled in ten years. The most sought-after model in the world is its steel automatic version, more specifically the 16520 reference with the Zenith El Primero movement and, more recently, its successor, the 116520 reference. For the latter reference, an automatic steel model from 2005 costs at least 15,000 euros. Models from the 1980s can even be sold for around 150,000 euros, according to the French magazine Le Point. It is also worth remembering that last year it acquired the title of " the most expensive wristwatch in history ", at least the one sold at auction in New York for more than 17 million dollars. It is above all its history that made its price: it belonged to Paul Newman, a legendary actor and racing driver.
N°2 : Rolex Submariner
Just like the Daytona, the average price of the Submariner has been multiplied by 2 in ten years, this model is one of the most sold by Rolex. It is therefore necessary to privilege the rarer variations, even disappeared with time. Another trend in the vintage market. "On the second-hand market, it is the reference 14060, whose production was stopped by Rolex, which is the most sought-after, because of its dial and its "Tritium" hands (luminescent material) giving it a very nice patina with time. For this reference, a model from the 1990s is traded at around 7,000 euros.
N°3 : The Rolex GMT Master
If its name is less emblematic than the first two models, the increase of the quotation of the GMT Master deserves to be interested in it: its average price has been multiplied by ten in ten years.the GMT Master is known for its different colours of glasses, all as sought-after as the others, in particular the so-called Pepsi (red and blue), or Coke (red and black) bezel. For a steel Rolex GMT Master II, ref. 16710, circa 2000, expect to pay around 9000 euros minimum.
N°4 : The Rolex Datejust
It is the Rolex par excellence, for which demand has not dried up since its creation in 1945, thanks to its timeless look and its more accessible price. According to her, demand is highest for vintage references such as the 1601 and 1603, with a "jubilee" bracelet and fluted bezel. For a steel Rolex Datejust, ref. 1603 from 1981, expect to pay around 3000 euros.
N°5 : Rolex The Explorer
Finally, the last Rolex in this top 5, the Explorer model, the average price has doubled in ten years. The Rolex Explorer is the company's "watch-exploit", associated with extreme sports, particularly the ascent of Everest, thanks to its technical performance and its great resistance. Its recognizable dial alternating numerical and stick indexes has made it iconic. The original model is the most sought-after. A steel model, ref. 114270 from 2007 is around 5500 euros.
Finally, favoring prestigious brands is not enough to make a good financial investment. At the time of resale, the watch must be in perfect condition. The slightest scratch observed with a magnifying glass may thus result in a discount of 5 to 20% compared to the same model without defect. The bracelet can also have a very high value and is often inseparable from the watch it accompanies.
On the second-hand market, it is difficult to verify the authenticity of the watch and therefore its true price.
