Is a Rolex an Investment?

[TheRolexKingofLV]

Not an investment, but if bought correctly, it's money in the bank.

[scooba]

Originally Posted by GolfJunkie

No

I buy Rolex watches because I love the enjoyment I get out of wearing them. If they gain value great, if not, doesn't bother me one bit.

I am in this camp

[TOMISLAV]

Yes it is the best investment,investment in your passion and investment in quality of your life.When I look on my watch I 'm very satisfaction.

[Gaijin]

I've always believed that if you take care in your portfolio the other things, bonds, stocks, emergency cash, even real estate that if you've got some extra dough after all that well.. if you buy correctly that some Rolex will increase in value and could be considered an investment.


The pushback on here though is that there are many in the "buy to wear" camp and that a Rolex unworn and held for the future is a dam shame. Some that bring this topic up even get

With the SS Rolex shortages I think that these are not a bad "investment." We have all seen prices rise on some without even a price increase by Rolex.

One to wear the out of and one to hold. Please don't hate me.

[timeldn]

Firstly, buy a time-piece because you like it, and if it appreciates over time that’s great. If you want to invest your money, there are other things you could invest in.

[jimcameron]

Compared to other tangible goods it isn't the worst way you could spend your money.

I could turn my 33 yr old Sub into 4x what I paid for it.

Had I kept my 1962 Porsche Super 90, I could probably get at least 10x what I sold it for in the 1980's.

I think if you go to an AD and buy a new watch, you have a long wait to have any significant return on your money. But wearing an outstanding timepiece while you wait is a good thing.

[AEC]

Originally Posted by run23

People use the word ‘investment’ differently depending on context

If you mean financial investment, like stocks or bonds, then no, of course not, unless of maybe you are a professional watch collector that understands the market.

The colloquial way to use investment is more applicable: will I get a lot of enjoyment over a long period of time that makes this seemingly expensive product worth it? So, someone may ask, if they are starting out on guitar ‘is a Les Paul Standard a good investment’? If you end up playing the guitar for decades and love the Les Paul tone, then yeah, it’s a pretty good ‘investment’. If playing guitar is your hobby of the week and it sits in the corner unplayed, then you’re probably wasting your money.

With a Rolex the answer can often be yes. That is, because of the conservative nature of Rolex (styles have been the same for decades), you could wear a Rolex for the rest of your life (unless your a watch flipping WIS) and then pass on to your ungrateful kids. And if you ever get tired of it you can likely get a lot of your money back. So the outlay is your initial purchase, and the return is getting to wear a watch you love for years. So using the colloquial definition, a Rolex (or other watch that is unlikely to suddenly go out of style) can be a good investment.

A good perspective.

[Clay]

Depends on your definition of investment...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Is a Rolex an Investment?

No

Luxury jewelry is not an investment

[MonBK]

Here's my take on it.

If you bought it 2 weeks ago for 10k and sold it for 14k............................it was an investment.

If you bought it 2 weeks ago for 10k and sold it for 9k..............................it wasn't.

[Bigblu10]

Do you want to make a million dollars investing in Rolex? Start with two million!

[RolexPete]

Originally Posted by MonBK

Here's my take on it.

If you bought it 2 weeks ago for 10k and sold it for 14k............................it was an investment.

If you bought it 2 weeks ago for 10k and sold it for 9k..............................it wasn't.

Very funny (and true).


I bought a gently pre-owned 14060 T serial Sub in 2002 to give my dad for his 60th. I paid $2500.

That same watch is worth $4500-$5500 today. $2500 in 2002 would be equivalent to approximately $3500 today.

While not an investment per se, if you buy the right watch at the right price, you will almost never lose money.

[Atlantic]

An investment? I'm not sure why so many here have a problem admitting it, but of course it is! Obviously with any investment, you must know what you're doing or be lucky. All of my five digit models have appreciated significantly. The rub is, of course, that you must sell to realize your profit.

[GMT Aviator]

They are a good place to park money to some extent, but don’t buy in the hope you will ‘make’ money from them. Long term Rolex retain their value very well. Short term very few models make you money.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by Atlantic

An investment? I'm not sure why so many here have a problem admitting it, but of course it is! Obviously with any investment, you must know what you're doing or be lucky. All of my five digit models have appreciated significantly. The rub is, of course, that you must sell to realize your profit.

I know that certain models have appreciated substantially over the years. But if one factors in annual insurance expense, along with spending $500-$1,000 to service the watch every 5-10 years, as well as of course inflation, I doubt that Rolexes generally provide the kind of financial return that most investors look for.

They are, though, really enjoyable to own and wear, and retain value much better than most other jewelry-type purchases I can think of.

[Smarties]

Good luck if you have that thought!

[Sarosh]

I just feel it’s shame to spend £/$xxxx’s on a watch to then lock it away and never wear it for hope of it appreciating in value (which I’m sure it will) but to me the value is in the battle scars and the journey I’ve taken with the watch. Watches are an investment in your happiness and the journey of life, not a monetary investment. I buy funds and stocks to ‘scratch that itch’ so to speak.

[brandrea]

As watches go, yes

[roger0770]

Nope, never thought of it that way.


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[pigman08]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Thoughts?

Not a good one...

[jrs146]

Can you resell for more than you paid? YES

Will you make more adjusted for inflation? NO (on most models)

Would you have made more money in another investment? YES

However none of this applies in the short term with crazy gray market prices where you can literally turn a profit overnight with the right watch. But I don’t think that will last forever.


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[slillestrand]

If you buy vintage or any stainless steel Daytona .... for sure it could hold or increase in value. However, if you are looking for investment I would advise you to buy real estate or put your money in the market.

[Csu87]

its an investment, just not a good one.

[yessir69]

No.

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[mjclark32]

No. But, it's not like lighting money on fire either

[aes7.5x55]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Emotionally yes. Financially never.

Words of wisdom.

[ras47]

It’s an investment all right. Usually a bad one.

[watchwatcher]

[tng11]

Nope. But I do consider SS Rolexes to be very close to cash equivalents in my overall financial picture/portfolio. A cash equivalent that is a lot more enjoyable than just holding cash itself.

[superdog]

It is whatever you want it to be.

As far as investments go, it has been a horrible one for me.

Literally horrible.