Cheapest Rolex - Prices & Costs

What makes Rolex a superlative chronometer?

Hardly anything is as well known around the world as a symbol of luxury as Rolex watches with their five-pointed crowns on the dial. Since its founding in 1905 by the German entrepreneur Hans Wilsdorf, the company has established itself as the most famous watch brand in the world. There are good reasons for this; after all, the brand and its famous wristwatches stand for uncompromising style, precision, reliability and, last but not least, prestige. With a Rolex, you are definitely getting watchmaking art par excellence.

This also means that there is no such thing as a cheapest Rolex watch. It is also currently difficult to get Rolex watches from a dealer at the regular price. However, you can still make your dream of owning your own Rolex come true, for example with models that are comparatively cheap. If you are looking for the cheapest Rolex, you are well advised to go for entry-level models or used watches. In this article, we present such entry-level models and suitable alternatives.

How much does the cheapest Rolex cost?

As the world's most popular luxury watch brand, you can expect a correspondingly high price for the cheapest Rolex watches. Even with "cheap" Rolex watches, you usually have to pay several thousand euros per model; prices of up to 10,000 euros are no longer uncommon. Of course, it always depends on the model: the Rolex Submariner is still around 17,000 euros, but the Oyster Perpetual (28 mm) at around 6,900 euros and the Lady Datejust at around 7,300 euros are significantly lower and therefore fall more into the "cheapest Rolex" category. But buying a Rolex does not have to mean losing money. Since the cheapest Rolex watches have experienced a good increase in value in recent years, they not only have sentimental value for fans of the brand, but are also suitable as a long-term investment.

The best cheapest Rolex watches & models

Anyone who can do without Rolex watches made of gold or with diamonds will certainly be happy with entry-level models at a lower price. All of the brand's watches are high-quality and elegant. The examples of the cheapest Rolex watches that we would like to present below range from simple to unusual - you get timeless style and the highest possible precision for your wrist with each of the models. Because one thing is clear: even the absolutely cheapest Rolex is still an eye-catcher.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Rolex itself has described the Oyster Perpetual as the “epitome of the Oyster”. It is considered an ideal entry into the world of Rolex watches because, despite its comparatively low price, it offers many of the brand's best technical advantages. The watch is available in various case sizes, all of which are pressure-resistant up to ten bar thanks to the Twinlock crown with the double sealing system. Interested parties also have a free choice of dial color. Other features include the Oyster case made of solid stainless steel, the cover glass made of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a certified caliber from the company. The price of the Oyster Perpetual starts at €5,450 for the 28 millimeter model; the 2020 version with the 41 millimeter case diameter costs around €1,000 more.

Rolex Datejust 41

Whether it's a business event or a casual outing - this watch is really made for every occasion. The classic wristwatch with the timeless design made its debut in 1945. The special feature of this Rolex: The Cyclops magnifying glass developed in 1953 directly above the date display, which makes reading the date easier by magnifying it two and a half times. The case of the watch is available in both stainless steel and various precious metal bicolor versions. The latter is adorned with a fluted signature bezel and a dial decorated with radial cuts. The Rolex Datejust 41 with the in-house automatic caliber 3235 (of course with in-house certification as usual) is available in the simpler stainless steel version with the Oyster bracelet for around 7000 euros.

Rolex Explorer

With this model, we have a real cult watch on our list. So robust and precise that it accompanied Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary on the first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. But you don't have to go hiking in the mountains to appreciate the advantages of this watch. The Rolex Explorer with the 39 millimeter case came onto the market in 2010 and was equipped with the 3132 automatic winding movement and Chromalight luminous material. The timepiece's high-contrast black dial also ensures excellent readability. In 2021, the case of the Rolex Explorer was reduced to 36 millimeters and equipped with the automatic caliber 3230, which increased the running time to 70 hours. The steel version of the Oyster Perpetual Explorer is available for around 7,000 euros; the price for the bicolor version is 11,500 euros.

Rolex Air-King

This watch is, as the name suggests, a tribute to aviation; a reminder of the aviation pioneers of the 1930s, for whom the Air-King series was created. Typical of this model are the very distinctively designed numerals and the Mercedes hand. Together with the inverted triangle at twelve o'clock and the white numerals on the black dial, the Rolex Air-King is reminiscent of classic pilot's watches, without neglecting its clearly recognizable Rolex roots in the design. Its inner workings are also typically Rolex: automatic caliber 3230 with 70 hours of power reserve and increased magnetic field protection. The Air-King is available for around 7300 euros.

Rolex Submariner 41

Here we are dealing with an icon that has achieved worldwide fame. If you like adventure, you will fall in love with this watch. When it was launched in 1953, it was the only wristwatch that was water-resistant to 100 meters. A true vintage pioneer, whose interior is perfectly suited to outdoor activities. The case of the Rolex Submariner has now grown to 41 millimeters. The timepiece is water-resistant up to a pressure of 30 bar; the Chromalight luminous material ensures good readability even under water. There is no date display on this watch; however, its fans are of the opinion that it does not need one - after all, divers rarely need to be able to read the current date. If you want to dive into the water in style, you should plan on spending around 8,000 euros.

Rolex Milgauss

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Milgauss celebrated its 65th birthday in 2021. The watch was originally designed for engineers and technicians, and you can tell that from its inner workings. The chronometer's patented magnetic shield was designed to protect researchers from strong magnetic fields. Effective up to 1000 gauss - hence the name of the watch, which is derived from the French mille (thousand). The Milgauss is still one of the brand's most robust watches, and is still popular with scientists because its reliability is hard to beat. At around 7,000 euros, the Rolex with the iconic orange lightning bolt second hand on the dial is one of the more affordable entry-level models.

Is there a cheap alternative to Rolex watches?

With prices of several thousand euros, “cheap” may not be the first attribute that comes to mind when you think of Rolex watches. But there are also luxury watches from other brands that are on the same level in terms of design and technology. Good examples of this can be found from manufacturers such as Tudor, Omega and Zenith. If you are looking for good entry-level watches, these brands are also recommended.

Rolex Hommage

The homage models are certainly an exciting alternative to the regular Rolex watches. For those who don't think the crown and the Rolex logo are must-haves, there is a wide range of watch designs to choose from that can make it easier to start your own watch collection. The Swiss watch brand Gigandet has made a name for itself with detailed Rolex replicas. The homages are priced at under 200 euros.

Buy used Rolex watches

Their quality means that Rolex watches are designed to be worn for a very long time. Their robust quality also makes well-maintained used models sought-after collector's items. In addition, there are often long waiting times for certain Rolex watches, which can be avoided in a relaxed manner. If you are looking for a large variety at attractive prices, you should definitely consider the market for vintage models to find the cheapest Rolex.

Conclusion - is it worth buying a cheap Rolex?

Whether new, used or vintage - you can never really speak of a cheap Rolex watch. The Swiss manufacturer produces its luxury watches with attention to detail and crowns its watches with the in-house COSC certificate. There are hardly any unusual complications here; instead, the chronometers of the traditional company offer absolute quality in terms of technology and design. For every single model. The waiting times for a real Rolex watch can sometimes be years; but if you opt for an entry-level model like the examples in our article or corresponding alternatives, you can shorten this waiting time under certain circumstances. These are not necessarily jewel-set or gold Rolex watches, but even the cheapest Rolex models deliver top technical and stylish performance in any case. Even on the international markets, there is a high chance of finding a Rolex whose price is still below the regular retail price. We wish you the best of luck in your search!