Rolex beginners

Rolex is known for the highest quality, a range full of icons of the watch world and superlative chronometers with strong design - but also for prices that make you have to swallow hard. For this reason, watch lovers are understandably looking for entry-level models from the watch brand that they can afford even on a limited budget. First of all, it should be said: there are no really cheap Rolex watches. This is simply due to the high quality and high standards that are usual for the Rolex company. In any case, you have to invest several thousand euros in a Rolex watch - but it doesn't have to be a vintage Daytona for the price of a new car. In this article, we present some entry-level models and answer the most important questions about buying Rolex luxury watches.

What are the cheapest Rolex watches?

If you want to own a Rolex without paying exorbitant amounts of money, you shouldn't miss out on these relatively affordable models from the brand:

Rolex Oyster Perpetual

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual conquered the market in 1926 and is now available in a variety of different designs, including chic bicolor versions with elegant Oyster bracelets. The watch for men and women is available in diameters from 28 mm to 41 mm, with the smaller Oyster cases housing a caliber 2232, while Rolex uses the caliber 3230 movement from 36 mm. Thanks to the Parachrom Breguet hairspring, the waterproof Rolex Oyster Perpetual is extremely resistant to temperature differences, magnetic fields and shocks, making it extremely suitable for everyday use.

In terms of appearance, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is certainly one of the simpler Rolex watches - despite the Chromalight luminous material on the hands and indices. However, thanks to the large selection of different versions, it appeals to many tastes. The price depends primarily on the size and the material used on the Oyster case and strap. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual as a stainless steel model with a small 28 mm case is available for just €4,750. The Oyster Perpetual 36 is a little more expensive and is topped in price by the Oyster Perpetual 41, for which you have to pay €5,500 according to the list price.

Rolex Explorer

The Rolex Explorer owes its name to the adventure it experienced in 1953. The watch was part of the adventure when the two explorers Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay became the first to climb Mount Everest. What could speak more for the reliability, resilience and precision of a watch than this unique story?

Inside the sporty Rolex Explorer watch ticks a caliber 3132, which has an extremely high accuracy thanks to the shock absorber on the hairspring. The case of the Oyster Perpetual Explorer contains a simple dial, the indices and hands of which are decorated with a blue, luminous color, so that they are easy to read even in difficult lighting conditions. The prices for a Rolex Explorer start at around €6,000 list price, which means that the model can definitely be counted among the entry-level options of the brand founded by Hans Wilsdorf.

Rolex Datejust 41

Classic, timeless and highly sought-after for over 75 years: The Rolex Datejust 41 is a timepiece that every watch fan has probably heard of. Available as a men's watch or in the Lady Datejust version for women, the Datejust is available in numerous designs and color combinations and looks good with any outfit. The newer models, which were introduced in 2017, have another highlight in addition to the already familiar fluted bezel of the bicolor versions. They are equipped with a cyclops magnifying glass above the date display, which enlarges the display by two and a half times and thus improves readability.

With a case diameter of 41 mm, the Rolex Datejust , which is powered by a caliber 3235, is an impressive size. Nevertheless, its price is comparatively low: a Datejust stainless steel wristwatch with an Oyster bracelet costs around €7,150 according to the list price, making it a great start to collecting luxury wristwatches.

Rolex Submariner 41

The Rolex Submariner has an impeccable reputation and made history in 1953 as the first wristwatch to be water-resistant to a depth of 100 m. Designed for divers, the watch has of course been further developed since then and can now withstand up to 30 bar. The indexes and hands glow blue for easy reading underwater, while the rotating bezel allows you to measure dive time. In its original version, the Rolex Submariner did not have a date display, as this was more or less irrelevant for use during diving. The timepiece is now available with a date display, but more affordable pieces are still produced without this complication.

Designed for practical use through and through, the Rolex Submariner exudes pure sportiness and appears absolutely robust at first glance. And what about the price? If you forego the date display and opt for a 41 mm stainless steel model, prices start at around €7,600. A Submariner is therefore not necessarily the cheapest Rolex - especially compared to simple Rolex Oyster Perpetual models - but is still priced at the lower end of the brand.

Rolex Milgauss

When it comes to affordable Rolex models, the Rolex Milgauss is a must. Here we are dealing with a very special piece that was originally designed for engineers and technicians. This is also reflected in the name of the watch: The title Milgauss is based on the watch's ability to withstand magnetic influences of up to 1,000 gauss. Equipped with the in-house movement 3131, the Rolex Milgauss runs extremely reliably and also looks great. There are special Rolex watches with dials in characteristic blue, black or white, with hands and indices always coated with luminous paint. The second hand, which has the striking shape of a lightning bolt, is a little eye-catcher.

If you look at the list price, the Rolex Milgauss is priced from around €7,700. Compared to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches, the Milgauss is also a bit more expensive, but is also in the lower price segment of Rolex.

Is it worth investing in a cheap Rolex watch?

If you want to buy watches as an investment, one of the most important factors to consider is the stability of value. Not all luxury watches are good investments. A watch that retains its value will be traded on the open market at least at or significantly above the list price. The list price is the price for which the watch can be bought directly from the manufacturer. If what you get for the watch on the secondary market is below the list price that you pay for the model, this logically results in a rather unprofitable investment.

It is not just the purchase price for which you buy the models that is important, but above all the value at which they are traded on the market. This means that even inexpensive Rolex watches can be attractive investments. The advantage compared to higher-priced Rolex models: If the value of the watches unexpectedly develops in the "wrong direction", the loss is often quite manageable.

In principle, it can be worthwhile to invest in a cheap Rolex model, because classics such as the Rolex Submariner, the Explorer or the Rolex Oyster Perpetual products are very popular and enjoy immense demand, which of course makes resale easier. As with many investments, the same applies to Rolex watches: you shouldn't invest in anything that you can't afford to lose - at least in part. Because of course there is no guarantee that Rolex watches will retain their value.

Do Rolex entry-level models increase in value?

The aforementioned value development is a topic that is of great concern to all those who want to invest in luxury watches. Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict precisely how the value of certain models will develop on the market. In this sense, investing in watches - whether it is a new Rolex Air King or a sought-after vintage model - always involves a certain amount of risk.

However, if you observe the development of the prices of popular entry-level Rolex models, you can see that most of them have potential for increasing in value. In the past, for example, the Submariner, Explorer and Oyster Perpetual Rolex watches of popular references have seen enormous price increases on the secondary market. If you take value observations into account when making your decision, make sure that the model has as complete a history as possible when buying, and take the time to wait for the best possible moment to resell it, you have a good chance of increasing in value and a satisfactory return with a Rolex model.

Where can you buy Rolex entry-level models?

Buying directly from the manufacturer is the first choice for many watch fans simply because of the often lower list price. However, you should be aware that popular Rolex watches are often only available here after a long waiting period. It therefore makes sense to also look for the desired Rolex on the secondary market. There, it is essential to pay attention to the seriousness of the seller and to look very closely so that the dream of getting the cheapest Rolex does not end in a disastrous mistake.

It is strongly recommended to use experienced, reputable dealers and shops, to look at the experiences and reviews of other customers if necessary and to refrain from sensationalist, overly cheap "special offers". If you want to buy brand new or used Rolex watches with a certificate and not only want to get the best price when buying, but also want to be able to rely on authenticity and good service, then Horando is the right place for you.

Are there cheap Rolex alternatives?

The fact is: Even the more affordable Rolex models still have a high price tag. If you are not prepared to invest several thousand euros in a wristwatch, you will not find what you are looking for at Rolex. Then you should look elsewhere and alternatively take a look at the range of Rolex's sister company Tudor. But other luxury brands, including Omega and Zenith, also have watches that are close to Rolex in terms of quality and functionality, but are offered at a comparatively low price.

homages

If it doesn't necessarily have to be the "real" Rolex, you might also consider homage models. These are watches whose design is based on Rolex models and are often amazingly affordable.

Conclusion for Rolex beginners

Rolex inspires watch lovers all over the world with timepieces that are hard to beat in terms of precision, quality and design. Of course, that comes at a price. If you don't want to invest tens of thousands of euros straight away, it's advisable to start with an entry-level model from Rolex. You can't go wrong with stylish models from the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Explorer, Submariner and Milgauss product ranges and you can enjoy a Rolex on your wrist for under €8,000.