Rolex vintage watches are actually really fun. Each series has no official records—players just keep their own logs to compare versions, which often involves splitting them into sub-models. The gray areas between these awkward "periods" lead to endless disputes, making it a hassle. Rolex service centre and dealers refuse to authenticate them, leaving everyone guessing. Collectors obsess over completeness: this part has to match that period, like how a slightly longer middle stroke on the "E" in the GMT text can change the price—you see that? Ugh, and you need papers, original boxes... It’s easier said than done. At the end of the day, what matters is that you love it.
The truth is, buying is hard, selling is
harder. Might as well stick to new models instead. There are so-called
"experts" all over the internet, but how do you get certified? Just
because you own a lot doesn’t make you an expert. The real experts are Rolex
themselves, but they refuse to publish these details—they’re scared of
backlash. Rolex makes so many watches, with varying hands, dials, printing
materials, suppliers, and production periods. The combinations are endless,
which is why it’s such a headache. Plus, auction pieces need a story—they have
to be "worn by a celebrity" to fetch high prices. Regular watches
rarely sell for much; breaking even is a win.
So over the past six or seven years, the
vintage Rolex market has been declining. Of course, there are still plenty of
collectors worldwide, but the community is shrinking. Younger generations,
especially, don’t wear watches much—they just strap on cheap digital Fruit
Watch. Naturally, the market is shrinking. When demand drops, prices can’t
climb. It’s frustrating…
