If there’s one thing that Rolex as a brand does well, besides the art of watchmaking, it’s marketing and creating a buzz around both the Rolex name and the timepieces it is famous for. Founded in 1905 under the name Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd, Rolex has long been established in the quality design of Swiss watchmaking, and became known for heralding the wristwatch for male wearers – reinventing what was previously a very feminine design concept.
Over time, the Rolex brand grew to encompass watches with different specific features and functionalities, covering different activities and tapping into the sporting prowess of its various users. The Submariner took on the role of becoming the world’s most innovative diving watch at the time, while the Daytona is closely connected to the art of race car driving, and the Oyster Perpetual is commonly recognised as the first self-winding wristwatch.
Through all this insight and information, it’s safe to say that Rolex is a brand steeped in innovation. But what else contributes towards this brand being one of the best investments in the luxury market, in terms of products that not only hold but increase in value over time? Let’s take a closer look.
The Rolex Name as a Status Symbol
In order for any brand to prove successful on the investment market, it needs to be recognisable across the industry. Rolex has become somewhat of the gold standard in luxury watchmaking and has consistently hit headlines in the development of its professional range, which targets different lifestyles and sports, while ensuring that even the most functional of wristwatches remain stylish in design and aesthetic.
In addition to this, Rolex is known to bring quality to the market, with each consumer considering their watch to be a reputable and reliable investment – whether they decide to wear their watch or save it as a future financial investment. This is the kind of reputation that comes with history – of which Rolex has plenty – and which is difficult for new brands to replicate. This in turn not only gives Rolex a major position in the market but allows it to remain in the top spot with very little competition.
Quality Craftsmanship Across All Components
As we just mentioned, Rolex is a brand that is steeped in reputation and reliability – and it owes much of that to the quality craftsmanship at play across the different collections and models. From the overall design, which is inspired by a drive to make wristwatches fashionable for more masculine wearers, to the integrated functions, which elevate the purpose and user experience across each piece, every Rolex is made to the highest quality.
One thing you will notice as you browse the Rolex collection is that many of the modern pieces utilise innovative features and mechanisms yet retain the aesthetic and timeless style of the vintage models. This nod to the brand’s past, while embracing the future of watchmaking, ensures that Rolex remains relevant in the eyes of buyers, without detracting from the designs that made it a style staple.
Timeless Design Enriched With Innovation Features
It doesn’t matter which Rolex you opt for, whether it’s one of the professional sports models or the everyday timepieces – design remains of the utmost importance. Every little element of a Rolex watch is perfectly balanced, using the finest materials and some of Rolex’s own patented conceptual designs to ensure that its watches remain at the front of the pack.
As much a sign of status and wealth as a functional accessory, owning a Rolex watch is about more than simply telling the time and monitoring speed, depth, and other factors. One need only look at how many celebrities flaunt vast Rolex watch collections to see how much these watches have become a sign of status and versatile style, from Daniel Craig to Sean Connery’s iteration of James Bond with his Submariner watch.
Why Do Watches Appreciate in Value?
All of the aforementioned factors contribute towards Rolex being a brand that is at the top of the luxury market, and which not only garners big price tags in terms of the material use and craftsmanship, but which also increases in value over time and as pieces make their way back into the market via secondary sellers.
A major factor in this appreciation of value comes down to the imbalance of supply and demand, which is, like with many luxury brands, a driving force throughout Rolex’s brand mission. Every new-release Rolex comes with a waitlist of prospective buyers, with only enough supply to meet a small segment of the buyer demand. This creates a market where the competition between buyers is high, meaning that any timepiece on the second-hand market can be sold for well above the original market rate – especially if it goes through an auction.
The rarer and more exclusive the piece – something which may or may not indicate the vintage – the more it fetches at auction. What’s more, Rolex further enhances the supply and demand imbalance by deliberately halting production on popular models, so that those pieces already in circulation continue to be coveted by a large proportion of prospective buyers.
Is a Rolex a Good Investment?
As a brand, Rolex is more than just a high price tag. It is a brand that is steeped in the history of watchmaking, and which played an integral role in bringing to life different functions and features across its diverse collections – from the tailormade sports watches to everyday timepieces that elevate the style of the wearer.
To own the right Rolex can mean access to a wealth of good fortune in the future, with collectors and investment buyers alike constantly on the lookout for the most coveted timepieces boasting exclusive features and finishes, high value materials, and more.
Whichever Rolex takes your fancy, buying a luxury timepiece on the second-hand market can prove a great investment, provided you have all the right authentication information and a formal valuation prior to purchase – something which the Love Luxury team offer in store, both in London and Dubai. Visit our boutique or head to our website for more information, or to browse our current collection of luxury timepieces.
