Rolex is the home to some of the most stellar watches ever created. The eternal timepieces don’t just crown your existing collection but become an asset for the coming generations. The various innovative features and unique characteristics lead the brand to unending success in the watch industry.
Rolex watches are known for their lavishness, which reflects the brand’s finesse of craftsmanship and years of unmatched design, functionality and innovation. Whether the GMT-Master II or the Air-King, Sea-Dweller or the Submariner, buyers applaud the various Rolex models for their ideal companionship during flying, diving, seeking adventure, etc.
But that’s not the only reason why fans love the brand. Rolex watches are considered highly sought-after for how fast the models appreciate in value over time. Over the years, the list has been brimming with various classic, vintage and professional Rolex timepieces that fetch a lucrative value when you sell Rolex in the pre-owned market.
If you’ve been planning on your year-end investment, our list will guide you to pick the best Rolex timepiece.
8 top Rolex watches for year-end investment
1. Rolex Air-King Ref. 126900
Preserving the aeronautical heritage of the Rolex Oyster, the Rolex Air-King pays homage to the avid flyers during the golden age of aviation in the 1930s. The first-ever Air-King was launched in 1945 and continues to be a pilot’s watch. The designs of the Air-King timepieces are rooted in the realm of dress watches and feature an easily distinguishable style.
The Air-King Ref. 126900 lends a professional appearance and features a straight-sided Oyster steel case with a black dial inspired by the various aircraft elements. The Chromalight display dial presents oversized Arabic numerals at 3/6/9 o’clock, which are highly luminous for navigational time reading. To instil balance in the overall design, Rolex has added a zero before the five on the minute’s scale, and the enhanced scratchproof crystal offers further protection.
The Ref. 126900 Air-King offers excellent magnetic field and shock resistance performance, proving to be a reliable and convenient timepiece.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 40mm Oystersteel
- Material: Oystersteel
- Bezel: Smooth
- Movement: Calibre 3230
- Bracelet: Oystersteel
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
2. Rolex Explorer II Ref. 226570
The Explorer is a true Rolex sports watch, presenting one of the classic watch designs of all time. Finely designed in an unflashy Oystersteel case with a stylish black dial, the Explorer II Ref. 226570 can withstand the extremities of nature. The watch features the iconic Oystersteel bracelet that enhances the comfort and wearing experience.
The black dial is highly legible, aiding the purpose for which Rolex built it. It features a date display, a fixed bezel with 24-hour graduations and a striking 24-hour hand to make it easier for the explorers to distinguish between the day and the night. Additionally, the dial has luminous hands and arrow-shaped hour markers for further clarity. It is a highly functional timepiece and one of the most reliable.
Having explored the toughest terrains, it is no surprise that the Explorer II Ref. 226570 guarantees a power reserve of approximately 70 hours and is highly resistant to temperature variations and sudden shocks.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 42mm Oystersteel
- Material: Oystersteel
- Bezel: 24-hour graduated
- Movement: Calibre 3285
- Bracelet: Oystersteel
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
3. Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 126610LN
The Submariner secures a special place in Rolex’s wide catalogue and has only improved in terms of quality and performance. Even if the brand has tried not to play with the watch’s overall design, the longevity and quality has only got better. The Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date timepiece speaks your style like none. Originally designed to serve as a diver’s watch, the Submariner was a hit from the beginning and the Ref. 126610LN version is a standout for its remarkable characteristics.
This variant has a rotatable bezel with 60-minute graduations allowing the diver to monitor the diving time safely and accurately. The watch comes in a robust Oystersteel body and features a Cerachrom bezel insert, making it fully scratchproof. The unidirectional bezel has graduations and numerals coated in platinum, and the knurled edge offers an excellent grip when worn with the gloves on. The dial is highly legible, and the distinct hour markers help the wearer to read the time without any confusion underwater.
The Submariner Ref. 126610LN offers excellent performance in terms of power reserve, magnetic resistance, and water resistance.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 41mm Oystersteel
- Material: Oystersteel
- Bezel: Unidirectional bezel with 60-minute graduations & Ceramic Cerachrom insert
- Movement: Calibre 3235
- Bracelet: Oystersteel
- Water Resistance: Up to 300 meters
4. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508
A classic presentation of Rolex’s impeccable watchmaking essence is the Cosmograph Daytona. Presented in solid 18ct yellow gold with a rich green dial and the stylish Oyster bracelet, this Daytona is one of the most prestigious timepieces and a popular sports chronograph that stands out for its exquisite look and performance.
The Daytona is the ultimate timing tool for racing drivers, featuring a tachymetric scale, excellent pushers, and three sub-dial counters. The Ref. 116508 housing a green dial with gold applied hour markers, small counters and Chromalight display hands that appeal to the eye instantly. The watch dial has a central sweep seconds hand and the other two dial-counters display the lapsed time in minutes and hours. This helps drivers track their time. The yellow gold bezel displaying the tachymetric scale helps measure the speed up to 400 units per hour.
Overall, the Daytona Ref. 116508 remains a historical classic, and the watch’s association with Paul Newman makes it one of the most desirable timepieces ever.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 40mm 18ct yellow gold
- Material: 18ct yellow gold
- Bezel: Fixed with engraved tachymetric scale/18ct yellow gold
- Movement: Calibre 4130
- Bracelet: 18ct yellow gold
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
Also Read: 5 Stylish Rolex Watches To Buy Before 2022 Ends
5. Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR
As the name reflects, the GMT-Master II is perfect for frequent travellers that help them navigate around the globe. The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR showcases two different time zones simultaneously and looks stylish, cased in Oystersteel. This version echoes the robustness and versatility of the traditional GMT-Master released by Rolex in 1955.
The most eye-catching feature of the Ref.126720VTNR is the unique green and black coloured bi-directional rotatable bezel engraved with 24-hour graduations. It enables the wearer to read the second time with a green 24-hour hand featuring a triangle tip. Thanks to the watch’s ingenious winding crown precision, one can easily set the reference and the local time. While the crown guard and the crown are on the left, the date window featuring the Cyclops lens also sits at 9 o’clock. The pitch black dial with luminous dot and baton hour markers offers optimum legibility in dark environments.
The GMT-Master II Ref. 126720VTNR’s amazing architecture and superior efficiency qualify it as a well-rounded traveller’s timepiece.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 40mm Oystersteel
- Material: Oystersteel
- Bezel: Bi-directional rotatable bezel with 24-hour graduations/Green & black combination
- Movement: Calibre 3285
- Bracelet: Oystersteel
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
6. Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 326938
If dressing up like royalty is your thing, the Sky-Dweller Ref. 326938 fashioned in a gorgeous 18ct yellow gold body with champagne dial and Oyster bracelet should be your pick. Another reason why the watch stands out is its complication. The Sky-Dweller features a series of fancy complications like the GMT, Annual calendar, and other ways of displaying details and controlling the different functions.
Being a watch designed for the explorer of the skies, the Sky-Dweller Ref. 326938 showcases a second-time zone display on an off-centre dial disc and the local time with the minute, second and hour hands. The fixed inverted triangle displays the reference time, and one can easily spot the difference between the day and night hours. The 42mm champagne-hued dial with the signature fluted bezel also points to the current month, which remains highlighted by a red rectangle around the dial face.
This Sky-Dweller Ref. 326938 version debuted in 2012 and is one of Rolex’s most complicated creations.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 42mm 18ct yellow gold
- Material: 18ct yellow gold
- Bezel: Bi-directional fluted bezel
- Movement: Calibre 9001
- Bracelet: 18ct yellow gold
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
7. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 124300
Are you looking for a fashionable yet very capable Rolex timepiece? The Oyster Perpetual Ref. 124300 will most effortlessly cater to your needs. Rolex released the Oyster in 1926, and is the world’s first-ever water-proof and dust-proof timepiece. This modern iteration flaunts a classic style that is universally acclaimed and encloses functionality at its very core.
Coming with a nice 41mm Oystersteel case, a domed bezel, and a classic silver dial with gold hour markers, the watch looks simple yet elegant. The timeless aesthetics of Ref. 124300 easily sets it apart from others. On the dial, you can see double baton markers at 3/6/9 o’clock for a further enriched look, and the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal enhances the beauty further.
The Oyster Perpetual watches play a key role in exemplifying the reputation of Rolex watches, and Ref. 124300 underlines the same ideology.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 41mm Oystersteel
- Material: Oystersteel
- Bezel: Domed
- Movement: Calibre 3230
- Bracelet: Oystersteel
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
8. Rolex Day-Date Ref. 228236
The Rolex Day-Date Ref. 228236 will be an excellent choice if you want to pick anything from the fresh releases. The Day-Date is famous for being the ‘President’s watch’ and has graced the wrists of some of the most exceptional women and men around the globe. Additionally, it is the first wristwatch to display the day and date on the dial, with the day spelt in full at 12 o’clock.
The modern Ref. 228236 is crafted in 950 platinum and has a soothing icy-blue dial. What makes the watch stand out is the gorgeous fluted bezel in platinum that also ticks off as Rolex’s first! The brand Rolex has always triumphed in creating aesthetical and technically stout timepieces. This particular version impressively showcases their years of expertise and research. Adding distinctiveness to the dial are the Roman numerals and hour markers in 18ct white gold and the blue second’s hand. Altogether, the watch, along with its emblematic President bracelet, screams attention and is one of the most prestigious Rolex watches you could add to your collection.
Rolex has crafted the Day-Date Ref. 228236 with precious metals, which works great to secure its investment value.
Quick Specification:
- Case: 40mm Platinum
- Material: Platinum
- Bezel: Fluted
- Movement: Calibre 3255
- Bracelet: Platinum
- Water Resistance: Up to 100 meters
FINAL NOTE
Investing in Rolex has become a lucrative trade as the watches fetch a good return when you sell your Rolex in the secondary market. The brand continually strives to amaze the fans and collectors with its innovation and designs, further diversifying the options to choose from.
As the year 2022 will soon turn its page, it’s time to plan for the timely investment and what better than Rolex to wrap it up? The Rolex models mentioned above secure a big investment return and are worth investing in for their precise quality and flamboyance.
Also Read: Top Ten Rolex Predictions 2022
The post 8 Tasteful Rolex Models Perfect For Year-End Investment appeared first on Sell Rolex London.
