Dreaming of owning a Rolex without breaking the bank? Explore six remarkable entry-level models that bring luxury within reach.
Rolex is often referred to as “the Crown” symbolizing the watchmaker’s position as “The King of luxury watches. Naturally, one would expect Rolex watches to be crazy expensive and you wouldn’t be wrong. Some of the most coveted Rolex models in the Submariner, Daytona, and other iconic collections sell at sky-high prices. Yet, the Swiss watch brand manages to cater to buyers across every budget by offering some more affordable watches.
These cheaper entry-level Rolex watches are a perfect way to step into the world of luxury watch collection. In this post, we will highlight some of the hidden treasures in the Rolex collection perfect for buyers on a smaller budget.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a line of simple, (mostly) stainless steel watches powered by automatic movement. The timepiece is a culmination of two important technologies pioneered by Rolex in the 20th century - the first waterproof casing known as the Oyster case which debuted in 1923 and Rolex’s first self-winding mechanism which was released in 1931. In a way, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the mother of all modern Rolex watches.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches are characterized by their simple no-frills design. This classic aesthetic makes them quite versatile and suitable for both men and women. The current lineup includes watches in different size categories from 28mm to 41mm. The collection provides the largest choice of case sizes in Rolex’s entire catalog.
Generally, buying a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch is considered one of the most affordable ways to own a Rolex. For instance, the Oyster Perpetual Ref 76080 watch sells for about $2,800 - $3,200 on the secondary market. While there are a few Oyster Perpetual watches priced over $10,000 such as the Ref 124300 selling for about $14,500 in the secondary market, most models fall below the $10,000 mark.
The Rolex Datejust is a timeless classic and everyone’s favorite Rolex watch. The elegant dress watch was launched in 1945 to celebrate the watchmaker’s 40th anniversary and has remained a major part of Rolex’s catalog ever since.
As the name suggests, the Rolex Datejust has a window that shows the date and it is considered the first self-winding timepiece with a date window on the dial. This window which is magnified by a Cyclops lens is a standard feature of Datejust watches, making the classic watch highly recognizable.
The Datejust is an extensive Rolex collection with several variants. In fact, it is considered one of Rolex’s biggest catalogs thanks to the numerous combinations of case sizes, materials, bezel types, and dial options. The Datejust comes in stainless steel, gold, or two-toned versions, with Jubilee, President, or Oyster bracelets. The Bezel could also be fluted, polished, or diamond set with different dial color options.
The Air-King is Rolex’s pilot watch. A true classic Rolex, the watchmaker began making this watch in 1945. Designed specifically with pilots in mind, the Air King features an extremely simple design that ensures maximum legibility for pilots in the skies. The watch has no extra feature to clutter the dial - not even a data display.
Modern Air King watches have retained this clean, minimalist aesthetic, staying sporty, and functional but highly elegant. They’re also highly recognizable. Most models come in a simple oyster case, with Arabic numerals and green accents to decorate the dial. However, there have been some models with Roman numerals and bar indices.
Some of the most popular Rolex Air King watches released over the years include references 14000, 14000M, 14010, and 14010M. All of these watches are sold for about $5,000 to $8000 in the secondary market, which makes them great entry-level watches for anyone looking to buy a classic Rolex watch. Even the current Air King (the Ref 126900-0001) which was released in 2022 sells for about $10,000 in the secondary market.
The Explorer is a robust Rolex watch built for explorers, mountaineers, and other outdoor adventurers. The earliest Rolex explorer watches were added to the watchmaker’s catalog in 1953, the same year explorers braved the height of Mt. Everest for the first time. These brave alpinists had a Rolex chronometer timepiece on, which is generally considered a precursor to the Rolex Explorer.
Explorer watches are characterized by simple minimalist designs with highly legible luminous dials designed to provide optimum legibility in low-light conditions. Most Explorer models have a simple black dial, except for a few models with white dials. Other defining features of this collection include quarter Arabic numerals and a large triangle in the 12 o’clock position.
The Explorer collection comes in a wide variety of highly wearable case sizes for both men and women. Early Explorer watches came in a case diameter of 34 or 35mm. However, Rolex eventually settled on the 36mm case size which became the most popular Explorer size. The collection is also available in 39 or 40mm case options.
A $5,000 budget can get you a Rolex Explorer watch like the Ref 114270 on the secondary market. However, the price range for most models is between $7,000 to $12,000. Even the most expensive Explorer models cost about $25,000 which is still relatively affordable.
The Rolex Submariner is not just a popular Rolex watch, it is also one of the most popular dive watches in the world, renowned for its impressive water resistance, precision, and durability. The luxury dive watch was released to the public in 1955 and quickly became the gold standard in the luxury tool watch market.
Although it was originally designed for professional diving, the Submariner has gradually evolved into an ultimate symbol of style and luxury. The Submariner was famously worn by super spy James Bond in a number of movies. This pop culture reference boosted the profile of this timepiece as a stylish, classic watch suitable for formal events and casual attire more than just being an ordinary dive watch.
The world’s most famous diving watch costs just $10,000 for an entry-level model like the no-date Ref 14060. However, the average price for watches in this collection varies from about $15,000 to $21,000.
The Rolex Yachtmaster is a classic timepiece that celebrates the watchmaker’s connection to the world of watersports. A symbol of the adventurous spirit of sailing, this timepiece made its debut in 1992, with a design meant to appeal to sailors and yachting enthusiasts.
Over the years, Rolex has released several size variants for the Yachtmaster varying from 37 to 42mm, which makes it perfect for most wrist sizes. The numerous case options also mean the Yachtmaster offers more size varieties compared to many of the other classic Rolex models. The Yachtmaster is particularly similar in design to the Rolex Submariner and is considered a suitable alternative by some collectors. A distinguishing quality of the Yachtmaster is its bidirectional bezel and lower water resistance.
The Yachtmaster is available in all kinds of high-quality material options including gold, platinum, and titanium. Rolex also produces a Yachtmaster variant made from a combination of platinum and stainless steel material which is a rarity in the horological industry.
The most affordable timepiece in the YachtMaster collection (Ref. 168622) costs as low as $8,000. However, this watch is only available in a 35mm casing, which might not be suitable for many wrist sizes. For larger YachtMaster watches, you can expect to spend between $16,000 to $29,000.
For anyone looking to build a luxury watch collection, a Rolex is a must-have piece to buy. Fortunately, you don’t even need to break the bank to add iconic Rolex watches to your collection. As this list shows, many popular Rolex timepieces are available at a relatively affordable price point.
You can find your choice of top-quality entry-level Rolex watches at Bezel. Our pre-owned luxury watch marketplace offers a vast selection of luxury watches including some of the cheapest Rolex models in the market.
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