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South Africa | ZAR
South Africa | ZAR
Highlights
- Pre-owned watches are often more affordable than new ones
- Limited editions with the potential to increase in value
- Rare vintage watches make excellent investments
Pre-owned, yet precious collector's items
Purchasing a used watch no doubt has its charm. On the one hand, it helps you save money on many luxury watches. On the other, scratches or faded bezels or dials add character to a wristwatch. Collecting vintage watches can even become a hobby, especially for Rolex lovers, as there are so many popular and unique Rolex watches for men. Many old watches are so rare that they sell at astronomical prices. A Rolex Daytona Paul Newman from the 1960s or 70s, for example, costs at least 90,000 euros, even though it originally didn't even sell well.
Another rare vintage watch, the Rolex Submariner, has undergone a similar price development. So-called "Big Crown" versions from the 1950s, one of which James Bond wore in the 1962 film Dr. No, cost between 60,000 and 400,000 euros, depending on their condition. This Rolex watch with a big crown and no crown guard can be found via reference number 6538.
Two other variants of the Rolex Submariner are just as rare and sought after: the COMEX and Red Sub models. The Red Sub watches, produced from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, can be identified by a red "Submariner" inscription on the dial. The COMEX models are professional diving watches that Rolex developed for the Compagnie Maritime d'Expertises, who specialize in diving and other deep sea work. The price for a COMEX Submariner ranges between 50,000 euros and 215,000 euros. A Red Sub costs significantly less – between 12,000 and 46,000 euros – making it the perfect introductory timepiece into the world of vintage Rolex watches.
Prices of popular vintage Rolex watches
| Model | Price (starting at) | Features |
| Rolex Daytona Paul Newman | 90,000 euros | Extremely coveted vintage watch with an incredible increase in value over the past few years |
| Rolex "Big Crown" Submariner | 60,000 euros | 1950s diving watch, large crown without crown protection, extremely rare and highly sought after |
| Rolex "COMEX" Submariner | 50,000 euros | Very rare vintage watch, predecessor to the Rolex Sea-Dweller |
| Rolex "Red Sub" Submariner | 12,000 euros | Red Submariner inscription on the dial, highly coveted and comparatively affordable vintage Rolex |
How much do pre-owned watches cost?
Like new watches, second-hand watches are found in every price class. Prices range from a few hundred euros for a pre-owned Omega women's watch to a few thousand for a pre-owned Rolex to hundreds of thousands of euros for a pre-owned Patek Philippe in very good condition. You can often find good deals on