Rolex, steel triple calendar, ‘Jean-Claude Killy’ model, ref. 6236, Case No. 384’218. Sold for $312,500. Right Rolex, steel, chronograph, tropical ‘Big Eye Paul Newman

From the Submariner to the Daytona: Why vintage watch collectors love Rolex

Christie’s watch specialists on why Rolex collectors know it’s about more than just that famous crown logo

Some vintage watch collectors love Patek Philippe. Some love Panerai. Some love all kinds. But Rolex is among the world’s most recognisable luxury brands because Rolex lovers tend to get a little obsessed. Here are just a few of the reasons why. 

  • 1
  • Rolexes are purpose-built

Rolex really is considered the original ‘tool watch’. Vintage Rolex collectors love the romantic notion that so many of the classic models were created for specific, functional purposes — and often very adventurous ones — not simply as jewellery or decoration. 

The GMT-Master, for example, was created at Pan Am’s request for its pilots, who were experiencing a new phenomenon called jet-lag. They wanted a watch that told the time in two time zones at once. Likewise, the Submariner was made specifically for divers. 

The Milgauss was introduced in the 1950s for people who worked in highly electromagnetic environments such as early nuclear research labs. It was an anti-magnetic watch that could withstand one thousand ‘gauss’ of magnetism — milgauss, literally, means ‘a thousand gauss’. It was unusual for people to wear watches like this in civilian life back when they were created. But wearing them for everyday use eventually became cool, and remains so to this day.

  • 2
  • With a Rolex, it’s all in the details

Vintage Rolex collectors love the nuances of the various dials, bezels, crown guards and other features that vary so widely even for specific models, and which can add so much to the value and collectibility of a watch. These nuances, such as an ‘underline’ dial, an ‘exclamation’ dial, or a ‘Bart Simpson’ dial (models made very briefly during the 1960s, where the Rolex coronet insignia is flatter with shorter tines, resembling Bart Simpson’s hair) can boost a watch’s value enormously. Suddenly a $5,000 watch is worth $50,000, all because of a tiny detail.

The ‘Patrizzi’ dial Daytona is one such example. It gets its name from the watchmaker and restorer Osvaldo Patrizzi, who was the first person to recognise that the varnish used on the face of black ref. 16520 models made between 1994 and 1995 oxidises over time, meaning the sub dials change colour as they react with sunlight.

  • 3
  • It’s OK to accessorise a Rolex

Rolexes are versatile in ways that many other haute horology brands are not. Changing the entire look and feel of a vintage Rolex can be as simple as popping off a bracelet and adding an Italian leather strap or a nylon NATO strap. One watch can so easily become many different watches simply by accessorising. The latest trend is to swap in a hand-stitched Italian distressed leather or suede strap; real Rolex aficionados love to add a vintage Rolex tang buckle to complete that classic look. It’s all about the way it looks.

Accessorising isn’t a faux pas with many vintage Rolexes, because that’s how so many were originally sold. Back when some of these watches were new, authorised dealers would happily change an oyster bracelet to a jubilee bracelet, or a bracelet to a strap upon request in the store. That’s not the case for most other fine watchmakers.

  • 4
  • Rolex values just keep growing

Vintage Rolexes have strong intrinsic value and we only see those values rising for examples that are in good condition. Rolex collectors get excited about owning a wearable investment, which is really what vintage Rolex has turned into — particularly with sports models such as the Submariner, the Daytona and the Explorer

These are models that continue to grow in value faster and steadier than most other existing classic watches. In general, the dressier Rolexes don’t gain value as quickly, but there are exceptions. Super-rare dress models such as the elusive stainless-steel Day-Date are valued in the several-hundred-thousand dollar range.

Rolex, 18k gold, Daytona, ref. 6265, case no. 5’953’058. Sold for $162,599 on 10 December 2020, Online

Rolex, 18k gold, Daytona, ref. 6265, case no. 5’953’058. Sold for $162,599 on 10 December 2020, Online

  • 5
  • Rolexes are tough

The Rolex Explorer, for example, was created to be exceptionally robust, with special lubricants in the movement that could withstand extreme changes in temperature. Rolex specifically had high-altitude mountain climbers in mind, who might encounter profound temperature changes between day and night. 

Rolex, ‘Pre-Explorer’ model, ref. 6298, case no. 929’708, 1953. Sold for CHF 289,800 on 7 November 2022 at Christie’s in Geneva

Rolex, ‘Pre-Explorer’ model, ref. 6298, case no. 929’708, 1953. Sold for CHF 289,800 on 7 November 2022 at Christie’s in Geneva

This ref. 6298 stainless steel wristwatch with sweep centre seconds (above) was worn during two well-documented expeditions, including the ‘Schweizerische Mount Everest-Expedition 1956’, when it accompanied its then owner, the Swiss mountain guide, chemist and oxygen specialist Jürg Marmet (1927-2013) on his successful ascent of Everest.

Another of the Explorer’s immediate forebears, an Oyster Perpetual chronometer (most likely a reference 6084) accompanied Sir Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay as far as base camp of Mount Everest in 1953, where it was kept in reserve for the descent.

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