In the field of luxury watches, Rolex has always been at the top of the value preservation and appreciation camp with its craftsmanship, brand value and market liquidity. Although the global watch market has undergone adjustments after 2022 and the premium bubble of some steel models has burst, scarce materials, antique models and functional innovative models still show strong appreciation resilience. According to the latest market dynamics in 2025, Rolex sports watches (such as Daytona, Submariner, GMT-Master II) and precious metal classic models (Day-Date, Datejust) are still the core of investment, and special dials and limited co-branded models in the second-hand market have become the focus of competition for high-net-worth collectors. The following is a detailed explanation of the five series with the greatest value-added potential from the dimensions of technology, history and market data:
1. Daytona series: the benchmark for investment in chronographs
1. Core models and historical performance
- Paul Newman Daytona
As the “holy grail” of the Daytona series, the manual-winding models from the 1960s (such as Ref.6239) set a record of 120 million RMB at an auction in 2022. In 2025, the average annual appreciation rate of antique models in good condition is still 8%-10%, and the price of rare dials (such as Exotic Dial) can reach 300,000 US dollars. - Ceramic bezel steel model (116500LN)
Commonly known as “Panda Di”, the public price in 2020 was 10,000$, the second-hand price soared to 50,000$ in 2022, and fell back to 20,000$ in 2025, but it was still 110% higher than the public price. Its technical advantages (4130 movement, Cerachrom ceramic bezel) support long-term value. - Golden Green Plate (116508)
The public price in 2025 is 3,5000 $, and the second-hand price is 4,2000$, a drop of 30% but still 40% higher than the public price. The gold material + the iconic green plate design make it a hard currency among precious metal Daytonas.
2. Technical highlights and design scarcity
- Material innovation: platinum ice blue plate (Ref. 126506) using 950 platinum case, weighing 146 grams, three times the weight of steel models, designed for collectors.
- Limited edition co-branded models: such as the 2024 launch of the “gold Le Mans” Ref. 126528, limited to 2,000 pieces, the counter queue needs to be allocated more than 60,000$, the second-hand price of 180,000$(a premium of 303%).
3. Market trends and investment recommendations
- Priority to rare plate: meteorite plate, turquoise plate and other special materials models annual average appreciation rate of up to 15%.
- Be wary of cold models: such as Ref. 126509-0004 (white gold gray disk), the counter to mention the watch is a loss of 10,000$, the market demand is low.
- Vintage watch strategy: 1960s-1980s manual-winding models (such as 6263) have seen a steady 7% average annual increase, making sure that the movement is not refurbished and the case is not over-polished.
2. The Submariner series: the myth of the preservation of the value of diving watches
1. Market performance of classic models
- Green Submariner（126610LV）
In 2025, the public price is $82,800, and the second-hand price is $110,000 (down 30%), but still 33% above the public price. Its iconic green ceramic bezel + Chromalight luminescence maintains dive watch benchmark status. - Black Submariner（126610LN）
The Black Aqua Ghost (126610LN), with a public price of $78,700 and a second-hand price of $100,000, has dropped by a relatively small amount (27%), and is still in the top three of the list of the “most resalable” watches.
2. The logic of vintage model value-added
- Tropical Dial
1960s Ref. 5513 due to dial oxidation to form a unique tan texture, 2025 auction price exceeded $ 80,000, an average annual value of 12%. - The advantage of the old movement: 3135 movement (Ref. 116610) is not as accurate as the new 3235, but the maintenance cost is low and the stock is stable, the second-hand price of $70,000 is outstanding.
3. Investment risk tips
- Production impact: Rolex annual production increased to 1.24 million pieces, Submariner supply expansion led to a decline in scarcity.
- Material substitution: Tudor Pelagos and other competitors with titanium + lower prices to divert entry buyers.
3. GMT-Master II: The Business Choice for Dual Time Zone Watches
1. Comparison of popular model quotes
- Pepsi bezel（126710BLRO）
Red and blue ceramic ring on five-ball chain, public price 10,500$, second-hand price 1,4000$ (down 40%), but the difficulty of firing two-color ceramics still supports its premium price. - Batgirl bezel（126710BLNR）
Commonly known as the “national rice circle”, 2025 second-hand price of 150,000, recognizable + business attributes so that its decline is less than the Coke circle.
2. The rise of precious metal models
- All rose gold green hand (126718)
18K eternal rose gold case + green needle design, equipped with 3285 movement, average annual appreciation rate of 5%-7%, 2025 pre-owned price of 360,000 (public price of 3,3000$) - Vintage model 16758
1980s gold “Tropical Coke Ring”, due to the bezel fading to form a gradient effect, the price of $27,400, an average annual increase of 9%.
3. Balancing function and design
- Practical scenario: dual time zone function + 100 meters water resistance, taking into account the needs of business and travel.
- Material combination: inter-gold models (e.g. 126711) have better price stability than all-steel models, suitable for medium- to long-term holding.
4. Day-Date: Precious Metal Value of Presidential Watches
1. Collecting potential of vintage models
- Ref.1803 Yellow Gold and Blue Dial
1960s classic models, the dial faded to gray-blue more retro charm, the price rose from 16,000 to 27,000 U.S. dollars (five-year increase of 69%). - Platinum Ice Blue Dial (228206)
950 platinum + meteorite dial, second-hand price of $740,000 in 2025 (public price of $644,000), average annual appreciation rate of 6%.
2. Technical upgrades on modern models
- Caliber 3255: Chronergy escapement + 72-hour power reserve, accuracy of ±2 seconds/day, technical performance to support the premium.
- Meteorite disk scarcity: each meteorite disk texture is unique, Ref. 228235 (rose gold meteorite disk) is limited to 500 pieces, the premium rate is always over 50%.
3. Material and status symbol
- Gold Financial Properties: Gold prices rise 35% in 2024, gold models Day-Date become anti-inflation tool.
- Presidential chain design: three compartment arch links + hidden clasp, symbolizing power and wealth, attracting high net worth people.
5. Datejust and Oyster Perpetual: Stable value-added in a classic design
1. Analysis of the core models of the Datejust
- Cherry blossom pink disk (126200)
New in 2025, counter price HK$160,000, premium to $218,000 in the second-hand market, over 60% female buyers. - Intermediate gold model (126233)
Yellow gold and steel combination + five beads chain, public price of 100,000, second-hand price of 120,000, the decline is controllable and suitable for daily wear.
2. Oyster Perpetual Color Model Potential
- Tiffany Blue (124300)
Premium of 425% in 2022 ($30,000+), falling back to $20,000 in 2025, but still the color model benchmark. - Postal Green Plate
Not overhyped, expected to double in price when production is discontinued, current used price of $8,000 is a value depression.
3. Design universality and risk
- 36mm size return: 2024 small-diameter revival, mid-century model 1601 (36mm) price stabilized at $5,970.
- Premium bubble warning: high risk of color plate speculation, need to be alert to changes in supply and demand (e.g., Rolex increased production) resulting in a crash.
6. Investment Strategies and Market Early Warning
1. Core principles
- Priority of liquidity: Submariner, GMT-Master II and other series account for 60% of the pre-owned trading volume, with the strongest liquidity.
- Material scarcity: Meteorite, pink opal and other special dial models have an average annual appreciation of 15%.
- Historical relevance: Paul Newman, James Bond and other celebrities wear models with a premium rate of over 30%.
2. Risk tips
- Market bubble burst: after 2022 Rolex production increased by 200,000 pieces, the logic of scarcity is broken.
- Economic cycle impact: global economic slowdown leads to the downgrading of middle-class consumption, shrinking demand for steel models.
- Policy risk: Adjustment of Swiss watch export tax may affect secondary market circulation.
3. Practical suggestions
- Antique watch purchase: check the original degree of raw lugs and crowns, and bring a 20% premium for raw paper models.
- Layout of women’s market: 31mm diamond-set logotype (Ref. 278285) ranks among the top three in terms of secondary circulation rate.
- Cross-brand hedging: diversify risk with Patek Philippe (39% average annual appreciation).
Summary: Rolex Investment Quadrant Chart 2025
| Priority | Table Type | Average annual appreciation rate | Risk Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Vintage Ditoner (Paul Newman) | 10%-15% | Medium-high |
| Tier 2 | Precious metal GMT-Master II | 7%-10% | Medium |
| Tier 3 | Submariner Green (vintage) | 5%-8% | Low |
| Tier 4 | Colored Oyster Perpetual (Postal Green) | 3%-5% | High |
Currently, Rolex investment should focus on the three dimensions of scarcity, circulation and historical relevance, with priority given to precious metal antique models, special dial sports models and potential models that have not been over-hyped (e.g., postal green Oyster Perpetual). For specific trading strategies or appraisal services, please refer to Sotheby’s auction house data or Rolex certified pre-owned dealer channels.
Against the backdrop of rising luxury watch prices, the consumer choice of AAA replica watches is essentially the inevitable product of the imbalance between supply and demand in the market. When the premium of popular models of genuine Rolex, Patek Philippe and other brands exceeds 300%-500% of the public price, and the consumption threshold breaks through the affordability of most people (for example, the average price of Rolex Submariner series exceeds 15,000 U.S. dollars, and imitations are only 100-300 U.S. dollars), behind this consumer behavior, it is a reflection of the rational consumers in the disconnection of the pricing system of luxury goods and the real purchasing power Behind this consumer behavior, it reflects the pragmatic choice of rational consumers in the disconnection between luxury pricing system and real purchasing power. It should be clear that the value boundary of imitation watches should stop at personal use and experience compensation, and its existence should not be alienated as a denial of brand culture, but should be regarded as a dynamic adjustment mechanism in the consumer stratified market – under the premise of respecting intellectual property rights, it provides the public with an imperfect, but realistic and reasonable solution.