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8 Insider Tips for Buying Rolex Watches at Auction
A Sotheby’s auction is an excellent way to purchase a Rolex watch, from Datejusts to Daytonas. In this guide our Rolex specialists offer their insider take on the many bidder benefits.
B uying a Rolex watch at a Sotheby’s auction is not just an exciting experience – it’s also a reassuring one. Each watch that appears at Sotheby’s has been carefully sourced and inspected by our global network of Rolex watch specialists. We want to ensure that all Sotheby's bidders, particularly those new to the process, are aware of the many benefits our auction format offers and feel well-informed. In this guide our specialists share their valuable insights into the ever-evolving Rolex market, in eight essential insider tips.
Sotheby’s watch auctions are an excellent way to build a watch collection, with regular sales throughout the year. Our specialists regularly curate some of the most exclusive and sought-after used Rolex watches. Highlights include numerous Rolex Daytona, GMT-Master and Submariner examples. Sotheby’s also maintains an excellent selection of classics models like the timeless Rolex Datejust and Day-Date Presidential – ensuring a Rolex for every taste and time.
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Each year, Sotheby’s watch auctions take place in Hong Kong, New York, Geneva, Paris and London, with most online sales lasting two weeks. You’ll find plenty of relevant facts, historical notes, expert insights and opinions on lot pages and in our Stories & Videos pages. Furthermore if you have any questions, our team of watch specialists can be contacted directly to find more about a specific Rolex watch or request additional images.
For those looking to purchase immediately Sotheby’s also has a wide range of high quality preowned Rolex watches online, curated by our Rolex specialists. Bid on Rolex watches at auction, or shop Rolex watches for immediate shipping.
1. No Waiting Lists
There is no replacement for building a relationship with an authorized Rolex retailer, but because each Rolex model is hand-assembled and goes through rigorous quality control, oftentimes the watch you want may not be readily available. Fortunately, Sotheby’s regularly has iconic Rolex models available at auction. Recent auctions have included revered models like the Rolex Daytona Panda and Rolex GMT-Master Batman. Our Rolex watch specialists are meticulous in ensuring sound provenance, providing peace of mind for buyers. We also have a wide range of “waiting list” Rolex watches available for immediate purchase online and through our salons in New York, Geneva and London.
2. Own a Discontinued Model
For many the allure of buying a brand-new current model understandably endures. However many collectors also prize the rarity value of owning a discontinued Rolex watch from the past. For some it's even a specific year that has personal significance. It's perhaps akin to owning a great wine vintage; that feeling no more will be produced.
Collector favourites from the past include the Rolex Zenith Daytona, produced between 1988-2000 with a Zenith El Primero based calibre. Another insider favourite is the Rolex Sea-Dweller Double Red, a specialized tool watch that would serve as the precursor for the Rolex Sea-Dweller model. For those who admire aviation, it may be the Rolex GMT Coke that was favored by Chuck Yaeger.
Sotheby’s auctions allow buyers to choose from a wide range of past models, include rare and unusual examples, all checked by our Rolex vintage watch specialists. Sotheby's also provides a valuable research resource for buyers, listing previous watch auctions on our website including detailed descriptions and hammer prices. Potential buyers can also simply search for a particular model on our site to see all previous lots.
3. No Reserve Lots
Sotheby’s watch auctions frequently feature Rolex watches with no reserve. These often include vintage models like Rolex Datejust and characterful vintage models such as the Rolex Air-King. The opportunity to bid on a no-reserve lot means that anything can happen, representing an exceptionally compelling opportunity to own a properly vintage Rolex that has been fully vetted and curated by the Sotheby’s Watches team.
4. Character and Patina
A Rolex watch is built to last, and as many of them have aged over time they take on attractive and unique patination. Collectors prize the ability to have such a unique and distinctive timepiece, reflecting how the previous owner/s used and enjoyed it. One of the most sought after categories of vintage Rolex includes ‘tropical’ dials, where the black dial ages to a deep brown color with age and use. A famous example of this is the Rolex Patrizzi Daytona – where the silvery white sub-dials have faded to a dark brown.
5. Off-Catalogue Models
While Rolex has an incredible selection of watches, not every watch they produce is available in stores, or even in its official catalogue. Theis includes watches with special gem-set dials and bezels, like the Rolex Rainbow Daytona. Buying a Rolex at auction can open your collection up to these exclusive timepieces, securing a watch never officially offered to the public.
6. Historical Provenance
A Rolex advertisement said it best: “It doesn’t just tell time. It tells history.” Sotheby’s auctions are known for consistently featuring watches with incredible historical ties, whether it's is a Rolex Submariner Comex that was used to rescue gold from a shipwreck, or Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona which he won at the 24 Hours of Daytona. An auction can sometimes be the only way to acquire such unique and incredible pieces of history.
7. Sotheby's Team of Rolex Specialists
For those who may be looking to purchase their first Rolex, Sotheby’s global team of Watch Specialists are here to help. While every watch featured has undergone curation and vetting by our team, we also supply detailed condition notes on every watch. With offices all around the world, there is always an opportunity to look at something in-person. You can also always contact a member of the Sotheby’s Watches team to answer specific questions you may have on a particular model.
8. Transparency
Rolex prices in the secondary market can be challenging to navigate, particularly for less common pre owned Rolex models. A Sotheby’s watch auction represents a highly transparent channel to buy – or sell. Many first-time auction buyers find the process not only exciting, but it also allows them to gauge interest and demand for their Rolex watch based on bidding patterns. Furthermore we ensure all sale (or “hammer”) prices are disclosed on our website. The latter feature can be invaluable for first-time buyers researching Rolex price history. First-time buyers can also find the estimate guidance useful, representing the value range assigned by our expert watch specialists.
