We regularly receive so many questions from our customers about the value of their luxury watches. How do you determine authenticity, value, serial numbers, best practices for selling, etc? We’re here to share the answers to these questions – so you can be more informed about your timepiece treasures!
How do you find the value of a vintage watch?
At Provident Jewelry we are luxury watch enthusiasts and experts, with decades of experience selling, buying, and servicing so many luxury watch brands. So, if you’re planning on visiting one of our locations with your Rolex, Audemars, Patek, Omega, or any other luxury brand, you’ve come right place! We look forward to helping you learn more about your timepiece and provide you with a professional appraisal or repair. If you aren’t local – no problem! Give us a call and we will help you virtually.
How can I find out how much my Rolex watch is worth?
The two most important factors that influence the price of your Rolex watch:
- Model Number
- Serial Number
The model number is important because it reveals the year, material, and movement of the Rolex watch. The serial number verifies authenticity. Both are very important when valuing your Rolex watch.
When enthusiasts, collectors, or jewelers are looking to buy a watch they prefer one with the original box and papers. Having these items will increase the value as well. If your particular watch is rare, the value increases as well.
Another important factor influencing your watch value is the material of the bracelet, dial, and bezel. Platinum is the highest valued material, followed by gold, and stainless steel. Bezels can range in materials from gold to platinum, titanium, or ceramic. Each has a distinct value. Dials may also range in materials including diamonds, ornate decorative elements, and other gemstones.
Another extremely important factor in value is the condition of the watch. What condition is the Rolex watch in? Oftentimes minor scratches can be removed. More significant blemishes would surely detract from the value. Bracelet conditions will influence value as well. Is the bracelet intact? Does it have all of the links? Are there heavy signs of wear or any other visible damage?
It is important to evaluate the condition of the Rolex watch movement as well. Rolex watches are built to last but are not resistant to damages from careless use and abuse! The internal mechanisms will need to be properly evaluated by a professional jeweler.
Where do you find the serial number on a Rolex watch?
- Model number: watch lug at 12 o’clock, where the case and the bracelet come together.
- Model number: warranty card
- Serial number: Engraved on the case at the exact same spot as the model number, except on the other side of the watch at 6 o’clock.
- Boxes and authentication papers
How do you know a Rolex watch is real?
A savvy watch collector must be aware of the prevalence of sophisticated replications available online. These watches can be found for sale on places such as eBay and craigslist and may look and seem very authentic! That is why it is of utmost importance to buy a luxury watch – new or preowned – from a trusted buyer and reputable jeweler. The accidental purchase of a reproduction or fake Rolex could be a costly and devastating mistake.
Make sure the jeweler you are buying from is highly reputable and knowledgeable. Check out their google reviews, look at their new and pre-owned inventory. How many years have they been in business?
At Provident Jewelry our in-house luxury watch buyers meticulously inspect each watch in our inventory and every watch that we purchase. We also have G.I.A. certified gemologists and master jewelers at every location.
Four ways to determine if your Rolex is authentic:
- Some fakes are easy to identify due to their quartz dial movements. The secondhand stutters along inside the fake, wherein an authentic Rolex there is a smooth secondhand movement. Listen for any noticeable ticking sounds. An authentic Rolex would not have any detectible sounds.
- Fake Rolex watches are oftentimes lighter weight. A real Rolex is made of high-quality metals and will weigh more and feel substantial.
- Inspect the winder on the side. Sometimes fake Rolex watches have very simple winders to move the minute and hour hands vs a finely-crafted winder with engravings and grooves.
- The cyclops lens on the face of an authentic Rolex will magnify the date. Many fake Rolex timepieces will skip this step and the date will appear the same size.
The cheapest replicas are easy to spot, but some fakes are so sophisticated that they can fool even the experts. The best way to be 100% sure about the authenticity of your Rolex is to bring it to a trusted watchmaker. He or she will remove the back of the watch to view the inner movements to determine if the Rolex is counterfeit or not.
Do Rolex watches retain or appreciate in value?
Brand position and notoriety plays a significant role in valuing a particular luxury watch. When considering the value of a Rolex watch, there is a significant history, popularity, and level of quality associated with the brand. They do typically have a high resale value comparatively. Bear in mind that the watch market is always changing, and there are a great number of factors influencing resell value.
A few other luxury watch brands that have historically held their value quite well:
- Patek Philippe
- Audemars Piguet
- Jaeger-LeCoultre
- Vacheron Constantin
- Panerai
- Lange & Söhne
If you were fortunate enough to inherit a luxury vintage watch, you may be holding onto something of extraordinary value! It may be something to keep, cherish, and pass on to future generations. Or, you may choose to sell or trade the vintage watch for something new.
If the vintage watch brand isn’t one you’ve heard of that doesn’t mean that it isn’t valuable. To determine the actual value of the watch bring it to a reputable jeweler or contact the manufacturer, if possible. You may even opt to get several evaluations. Then you can make the difficult decision to keep, sell, or trade!
How to find the age of a Rolex watch?
Locate your Rolex model number and reference the table below. In the table, the year of production is on the left, and the serial number/letter is on the right.
| 2009 | V |
| 2008 | Z, M, V |
| 2007 | Z, M |
| 2006 | F, D, Z |
| 2005 | D,F |
| 2004 | F, Y |
| 2003 | Y |
| 2002 | K, Y |
| 2001 | P, K |
| 2000 | A, P |
| 1999 | A |
| 1998 | A |
| 1997 | U |
| 1996 | T |
| 1995 | W |
| 1994 | S |
| 1993 | S |
| 1992 | C, X |
| 1991 | N, E, X |
| 1990 | E, L |
| 1989 | L |
| 1988 | R |
| 1987 | 9,760.000 |
| 1986 | 9,290.000 |
| 1985 | 8,600.000 |
| 1984 | 8,300.000 |
| 1983 | 7,800.000 |
| 1982 | 7,300.000 |
| 1981 | 6,900.000 |
| 1980 | 6,400.000 |
| 1979 | 5,900.000 |
| 1978 | 5,400.000 |
| 1977 | 5,000.000 |
| 1976 | 4,530.000 |
| 1975 | 4,280.000 |
| 1974 | 4,000.000 |
| 1973 | 3,740.000 |
| 1972 | 3,470.000 |
| 1971 | 3,210.000 |
| 1970 | 2,950.000 |
| 1969 | 2,680.000 |
| 1968 | 2,420.000 |
| 1967 | 2,160.000 |
If you would like to find out what your Rolex watch is worth, please contact us!
We provide professional appraisals of fine jewelry and watches. We also buy and accept trades of pre-owned fine jewelry and Swiss watches.
Click here to schedule an appraisal or submit the form below for a prompt response from our staff.
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