People no longer buy luxury watches to look good and make heads turn. Instead, more and more people are concerned about the things that follow. Purchasing luxury watches, especially Rolex, the most popular watch brand, has become a way of investment. People invest their hard-earned money in Rolex to fetch a more dependable return in the future. And guess what? They aren’t wrong.
Rolex watches have given exceptional returns over the past couple of years in terms of investment. The popular Rolex models, especially the discontinued ones, are well known for holding their value, and investors sell Rolex at a higher value. Isn’t that obvious? The incredible demand for the brand, coupled with the unavailability or low supply of the models, will pique massive interest among collectors and buyers alike.
So, for those considering investment opportunities while buying a Rolex, this blog is your go-to! We’ve rounded up the most in-demand discontinued Rolex pieces that are great investments and are definitely worth your attention.
4 Discontinued Rolex Watches That Hold The Best Value
1. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520
The original Daytona series was produced between the 1960s and the 1980s but sadly didn’t receive much acknowledgement. However, once discontinued, there was a steep rise in its demand, and Rolex dropped the second and third series. The Daytona Ref. 116520 was produced from 2000 to 2016 and is perhaps the best investment among all the steel Daytona references.
Today, the Daytona 116520 is considered one of the world’s most iconic watches that have almost become synonymous with the brand itself. Presenting a robust appearance in a 40mm stainless steel case with a black/white dial and fixed steel bezel with a tachymeter scale, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Daytona Ref. 116520 has experienced a great amount of success for its functional and aesthetic characteristics.
2. Rolex Submariner ‘Kermit’ Ref. 16610LV
Rolex introduced the Submariner ‘Kermit’ at Baselworld in 2003 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Submariner. This handsome dive watch quickly garnered the attention of Rolex enthusiasts for its bright green aluminium bezel, which was quite an unorthodox move by the Crown. Another thing that followed the Sub’s design was the Maxi dial featuring large hour markers and thicker hands, resulting in increased legibility.
After Rolex withdrew the Kermit’s production in 2010 to make way for the ‘Hulk’, its demand and popularity increased tenfold. With only a small number in circulation now, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner ‘Kermit’, an anniversary and limited edition piece, is a highly sought-after investment that is quite difficult to get hold of!
3. Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 had the shortest production span (three years) out of all Rolex watches, making it a favourable investment for any Rolex enthusiast. It was released in 2014, made available for retailers in 2015, and discontinued in 2017. The Ref. 116600 replaced the past generation’s Ref. 16600 and incorporated all the elements of the previous Sea-Dweller along with all the latest Rolex characteristics. It embraced a 40mm Oyster case with a unidirectional rotatable bezel and a black dial. The watch has 1220M water-resistant capabilities, making it a great choice for adventure lovers.
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 4000 Ref. 116600 has the ‘Maxi’ dial with larger hands and lume plots, offering an ultra-modern look. Plus, it has a blue Chromalight display, which glows in the dark. In short, it is the Submariner’s Big Brother. You can find this exotic diving piece selling on the secondary market at an elevated price.
4. Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16710
The Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 16710 was one of the longest-running references in production from 1989 to 2007. As a result, it was available in various combinations with options like Red/Blue (PEPSI), Red/Black (COKE) and Black. The most popular was the Pepsi, followed by Coke and the Black. The Ref. 16710 was the last batch of GMT-Master models with an aluminium bezel, which was later replaced with ceramic ones. The aluminium bezel lent a vintage charm to the Rolex, further adding to its demand. This holds particularly true if you’re looking for the Pepsi GMT-Master model.
The GMT-Master II 16710 will only continue to rise in value as they are much more desirable than the recent variants like Ref. 126710 and Ref. 116710. And the 16710 with the ‘Pepsi’ bezel, which is easily recognisable across the room, will always secure a solid return.
Do you have a discontinued Rolex that you’d want to sell?
In the world of luxury watches, discontinued Rolex timepieces continue to be highly sought after. Their rarity, historical significance, exceptional quality, and collector demand contribute to their ability to hold their value over time. So, you’ll always get a handsome price if you want to sell your Rolex. Luxbrokers, being a reputed Rolex buyer in London, will give you the best price for any Rolex model you want to sell, including discontinued or rare models.
And, for enthusiasts and investors looking for a reliable and potentially lucrative investment, a discontinued Rolex watch can indeed be a wise choice. Due to their premium quality and ability to hold value as years pass, discontinued or low-supply Rolex watches can be a lucrative investment. Pick any model from the above list to fetch a high investment return years later.
