Rolex watches are known for their timeless elegance and premium quality, plus they are easily the most popular wristwatch brand out there. There’s not much that can beat giving yourself this timepiece to celebrate a milestone.
However, this brand offers many options, such as Daytona, Submariner, Cellini, and others, so it can be challenging for a new buyer to know where to start. This guide will cover everything you need to know on how to buy a Rolex!
Why Is Rolex Highly Rated?
Rolex is more than a century old, which means that it has had enough time to establish itself as a leading wristwatch brand. However, many other brands have great mechanical technology and rigorous quality assurance, so why is Rolex highly rated?
Rolex has proprietary mechanical technology—half-assembled by hand and half-assembled by machine. The Swiss brand offers timeless designs and unique materials and has an obsession with quality.
For instance, the Rolex steel sports watch is a popular model. This watch is unique and has great PR, making it one of the most elusive timepieces in the world. If you factor in Rolex’s global presence and sports culture, it’s easy to see why anyone would want a Rolex.
Rolex also has great communicative power. When you walk into a room with a Rolex, you earn respect. Also, the brand doesn’t change models easily, so whether you buy a Rolex now or in ten years, you will probably get the same watch. These are some of the qualities that distinguish Rolex as a brand!
What to Look Out for When Buying a Rolex
The answer to how to buy a Rolex starts from looking out for certain things in your search. Here are some factors to consider:
Personal Preference
Very little is more important than your preferences when buying a Rolex.
There’s a wide range of these timeless pieces. If you are a completely corporate person, you may find that the popular Rolex Submariner or Daytona is not to your taste. These are professional watches and are primarily built for sports.
On the other hand, you may find love with the Rolex Cellini or Datejust.
Find an Authorized Dealer
Finding an authorized dealer is very critical. Most key models in the sports series are not outright available, so you have to be on a waiting list to secure one. This means you have to find a reputable dealer to put you on this list.
A good dealer will also guide you on how to buy a Rolex. In addition, they will keep you informed on the various collections, current models, and the pros and cons of a pre-owned Rolex watch.
Price
The best way to avoid any disappointment is to peruse the watches beforehand in order to have a good idea of their price range. Then decide on a particular choice and map out your finances according to the retail price.
Functionality
Rolex wristwatches are splendid, no doubt. However, each collection offers something different, and any buyer needs to know this.
For example, a pilot or travel blogger may prefer the Rolex GMT Master. At the same time, a surfer will love the underwater resilience of the Submariner collection, but you’ll probably need to get on a waiting list for these two.
Availability
Rolex is known for the waiting lists you have to scale before purchase. For example, Daytona, Seadwellers, Submariners, and Explorer 1 are produced in batches, so you need to be on a waiting list to get one.
But, if you are keen on buying one immediately, especially as a gift, some that are readily available include the Air-King, Day-Date, Oyster Perpetual, and Datejust.
When Is the Right Time to Buy a Rolex?
There’s no strict answer to this, but you should definitely buy a Rolex when you are financially ready!
As you know, luxury watches don’t come cheap. For example, the average starting price of Rolex is about $2,500. So, once you’ve researched and chosen the model you want to acquire, you need to put your finances together to see whether or not you can truly afford one.
As you can imagine, it’s not the best idea if you have $4000 in your bank account and spend $3,200 on a Rolex wristwatch. While it appears you can afford it, it’s not the wisest investment. Generally, most watch enthusiasts agree that it’s important to tie your Rolex to a milestone.
How Can I Beat the Rolex Waiting List?
Rolex can be a difficult luxury item to acquire, so you may need to go the extra mile in securing one, especially with the limited number of watches released at a time in the sports series. You might be tempted to buy from a flipper, but we discourage this for several reasons.
There’s no one way to beat the list, but a combination of the following pointers can help you.
Make a Good Impression
Walk into the dealer in formal or semi-formal attire. The key here is to look elegant so that the dealer has a good first impression of you. You need to immediately make your intentions clear, be very sure about wanting a Rolex, but don’t be forceful.
Make sure you establish a personable character and keep a respectful relationship with your dealer. This is to stay on top of your dealer’s mind as a potential customer.
Be Personable
Bear in mind that dealers avoid people who appear like they will flip watches for a profit. So, leverage your knowledge about watches to communicate your interest to the dealer as clearly as possible. Doing this will help your dealer feel more confident about calling you when a collection comes out.
Stay Updated
Staying updated is the ultimate way to get that Rolex you want. You should follow your dealership on social media to get notified as soon as a collection is released and keep calling ahead of time.
Should I Buy a New Rolex or a Pre-Owned Watch?
This all depends on you. A new model will have a warranty card, be of higher value, sleek, and won’t show signs of wear. Also, if you prefer a stress-free watch with no history, a new Rolex is the better option.
With a pre-owned Rolex, you can get a high-quality watch at a cheaper price, and you can also get a variety of uncommon Rolex models.
Besides, you don’t have to stand in line or be on a waiting list. You can probably get this directly from dealers or auctions.
How Can I Avoid Buying a Fake Rolex?
Fakes are a real concern when getting wristwatches, and a person who does not know how to buy a Rolex may miss all the signs that a watch is fake. So, here are some ways you can avoid buying a replica!
Buy from a Dealer
There’s only one safe place to buy luxury wristwatches and that’s from a dealer. Dealers have stable and recognized stores, a relationship with the brands they carry, and, most importantly, have their reputation at stake.
Make sure that you read extensively about the dealer you are approaching for extra confidence.
Be Wary of Online Stores
In the past few years, the percentage of fake goods sold online has exceeded the 2019 3.3 percent record. So, you want to avoid buying wristwatches from random internet dealers.
But, if you have to, ensure you are getting the full set so you have some peace of mind. Also, read reviews from eBay, Etsy, and Facebook before paying.
Inspect the Watch
A fake watch might be hard to detect, but an original Rolex still has some distinctive features. An original also has the serial number pressed into the back metal, while fakes will only have a shallow stamp.
The Rolex crown logo is also unique, so most replicas don’t have the symbol. Rolex uses second-hand movement, while fakes tend to have the quartz dial movement. So, an original Rolex watch should not make any sound when ticking!
Final Thoughts
If you are looking to buy a Rolex, you must have a good level of knowledge. You should choose a wristwatch you truly desire, think about why you are buying it, then head to a reputable dealer to make your purchase or be on the waiting list.
Remember that you can always customize your Rolex to suit your taste!
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