Lady Rolex retention value

[Zuger]

So Mrs. Zuger is eyeing her first Rolex. It's the Lady's Datejust 31mm 178271. You see, ever since I first met her she has always been a Cartier gal. Never cared for the Rolex and never owned one. Now things are changing and she is warming up to it so we stopped by the Rolex AD the other day.

It all went very well but when the question of value retention came up, the salesperson shook his head and said the retention for lady's Rolexes, except certain Daytonas, is frankly not great. He said we are looking at most likely less than 50% in a few years.

That gave us some pause as I thought Rolexes for both men and women hold value petty well. Is the salesperson correct? What have been your experience with selling or trading lady's rolexes as far as retention value is concerned? Thank you.

[Chewbacca]

i bought my wife two on the used market over 5 years apart and i would say the salesrep was bang on. both were about 7 years old.

[dennywags]

The reason in obvious. Most women receive a Rolex as a gift. Usually a gift is brand new.

[Chewbacca]

Originally Posted by dennywags

The reason in obvious. Most women receive a Rolex as a gift. Usually a gift is brand new.

whaaa?

[rozyd]

Originally Posted by dennywags

The reason in obvious. Most women receive a Rolex as a gift. Usually a gift is brand new.

This is a very valid point. Other than a model which is out of production, how many of our significant others/wives/girlfriends/mistresses/etc... would want something used?

[jenniferjanef]

IMHO if you buy SS 31mm you should get back much more than 50% maybe 70%. I just sold a meteorite dial 31mm ss with super jubilee bracelet, I paid 15% off retail and when I sold my watch after 3/4 years, i sold it for 25% less MSRP, rolex increased price shortly after I bought mine which means I lost almost nothing. My watch was in pristine condition. Be careful on if you are looking for the smaller, 18K president, 28mm or is that 26mm, are like sky fall if you want to sell them on.. Good luck.

Jen

[Zuger]

Originally Posted by jenniferjanef

IMHO if you buy SS 31mm you should get back much more than 50% maybe 70%. I just sold a meteorite dial 31mm ss with super jubilee bracelet, I paid 15% off retail and when I sold my watch after 3/4 years, i sold it for 25% less MSRP, rolex increased price shortly after I bought mine which means I lost almost nothing. My watch was in pristine condition. Be careful on if you are looking for the smaller, 18K president, 28mm or is that 26mm, are like sky fall if you want to sell them on.. Good luck.

Jen

Hi Jen, thank you for your feedback and nice that you recouped most of the money. The one she picked out is the TT DJ 31mm with diamond markers, jubilee bracelets, everose center links and mother of pearl dial. Of all the pieces she tried on, we both thought this one looks the best on her. Resale or not, I've learned to buy her what she likes, say it looks good, and then call it a day. :)

Originally Posted by vitalsignsrn

I didn't know the ladies versions didn't hold value like the larger sizes.
Is her wrist too small for a DJ? Or perhaps the larger watch is uncomfortable or cumbersome? If it's a borderline size issue where she can move up to the 36 or stay at 31, maybe consider moving up to the 36mm. Not sure of her age, but the 36mm might be the size & you wont have to consider selling it.

Have fun buying her watch. Will look forward to the incoming thread.

Yes, I was surprised to hear that the value doesn't hold, but after reading the responses here, I now understand why. The 36mm is just simply too large for her wrist, and the 31mm is just about right though if there is a 33mm that would really hit the sweet spot. For now, I think we are going for the 31mm.

[vitalsignsrn]

I didn't know the ladies versions didn't hold value like the larger sizes.
Is her wrist too small for a DJ? Or perhaps the larger watch is uncomfortable or cumbersome? If it's a borderline size issue where she can move up to the 36 or stay at 31, maybe consider moving up to the 36mm. Not sure of her age, but the 36mm might be the size & you wont have to consider selling it.

Have fun buying her watch. Will look forward to the incoming thread.

[Muzz]

31mm retains better than a 26mm for sure. If it is a popular design and size it will hold much better.

Not an expert on used pricing but there seems to be an abundance of 26mm used models on the market.

[Furbo]

Salesperson is correct.

[renfield33]

Yup... my wife has a rolex that I bought new for her, but she really doesn't care. It's just a watch to her.

The real collectors are men, and men don't wear women's watches.

And I do agree about gifts being new. I buy used for myself though.

[bdex75]

I agree with the AD salesperson. 31 is better than 26 but I would go 36 if she can support it.
If resale is a concern only. If it is not buy the lady what she wants. (Should probably do that anyhow unless you have a very comfortable couch).

My wife has a K serial (2003) 26mm date. SS , jubilee, blue stick. And I paid about $2000 with all the boxes etc in 2010. Have never looked at a 26mm brand new but I think my AD said a SS model is about $6000 msrp???

She now thinks it is too small and wants a midsized YM.


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[breitlings]

My grandmothers masterpiece likely appreciated 10x from the early 70s.

[Highland Ranger]

Originally Posted by breitlings

My grandmothers masterpiece likely appreciated 10x from the early 70s.

Need to account for inflation less used valuation but yup, I bought a TT GMT iic in 2007 for $7500ish new from AD - what's a new one today? Are they 10k yet?

Some of that is our government friends printing money though.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Highland Ranger

Need to account for inflation less used valuation but yup, I bought a TT GMT iic in 2007 for $7500ish new from AD - what's a new one today? Are they 10k yet?

Some of that is our government friends printing money though.

I think they bought it for like 1800 to 2k usd in hk and it was appraised in the 90s at 48k. So that likely means auction of half that. It's certainly gorgeous and timeless with tons of diamonds all over in a tasteful manner.

I bet a ss submariner would have had a better roi.

Inflation just another way the government robs us all lol.

[tkerrmd]

dont think alot of women are flipping or selling their Rolex but I agree they drop pretty good

the larger size she gets the better for resale, the small womens Rolex watches from peoples grandmas are all over the place for sale and not for much

talking about SS or TT, obviously this is not the same for PM

alot of women my wife included wont wear the smaller sizes and actually prefer subs and Daytonas, which BTW you can turn into a win win for you!

my wife and I swap watches all the time

[tkc324]

Sales person is correct. The issue is supply and demand. Women simply do not collect watches like men and therefore the secondary market is always going to be weaker. just look at the used market in our for sale forum. This also present some great buying opportunities for used ladies watches.

[SaddleSC]

Originally Posted by Zuger

It all went very well but when the question of value retention came up, the salesperson shook his head and said the retention for lady's Rolexes, except certain Daytonas, is frankly not great. He said we are looking at most likely less than 50% in a few years.

Which one of the "certain" Daytonas is marketed specifically as a lady's Rolex? Any pics?

[amh]

Surprising that the AD would admit such a thing (it is true of course.) It's like saying "these watches are overpriced." Indeed they have a massive profit margin on the new watches.

My wife has expensive taste as it turns out. I recently bought her first Rolex and it was a rather plain jane SS model. Later I dragged her into an AD to find out what she really likes. She picked a 26mm TT RG w/ diamonds and meteorite dial: MSRP 12.5k. But since she said used would be fine I'll be sifting through ebay and TRF for a better deal. Looking to save 40-50%.

If you like the factory warranty and 'new car smell' here are a few online dealers that offer discounts vs an AD:
(Check TRF trusted sellers too, of course...)
http://www.swiss-wrist.com/
http://www.jomashop.com/
http://www.alanfurman.com/

[Zuger]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

Which one of the "certain" Daytonas is marketed specifically as a lady's Rolex? Any pics?

This one or any others with everose bracelet. Maybe some men wear these, but I was told most of these are sold to ladies.

[tkerrmd]

this was my wifes first Daytona




we shared this one for few years, good for man or women IMHO

[dennywags]

If Rolex made a 36mm DJ with a purple dial I would buy one for my wife.

[ronricks]

If you want value retention then you are going to need to get a 36mm with a discount. That will hold it's value more than a 31mm