Cheap Rolex: Myth or Reality?

When people hear the name of Rolex, cheap is not the first thing that comes to mind. There are plenty of reasons for that. Along with the reputation of the brand, Rolex is known for high quality that few can match. So what’s the whole idea behind a cheap Rolex? Is there even such a thing? The fact is that there are cheap Rolex watches for men, although you may have to adjust your thinking a little to recognize the fact. Here are some thoughts that will help you see what’s real and what’s fake when it comes to Rolex watches.

Why Are Rolex Watches So Expensive?

Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the word cheap has nothing to do with price. Maybe your mind goes straight to quality. That’s definitely one area where Rolex is not cheap.

Only the finest materials go into the creation of every Rolex. The attention to detail during the manufacturing process is even more complex. There’s no mass production going on, at least not in the sense that other brands of watches are mass produced. There’s also stringent quality assurance measures that prevent defective watches from making it out of the facility and to any certified retailer.

So what is really meant by cheap mens Rolex watches for sale? The reference has to do with the price. Simply put, there are opportunities for Rolex collectors to locate and purchase watches for prices that are considered bargains. The thing to remember is that affordable Rolex watches for sale are not second or third quality, or even watches that have been subjected to a great deal of abuse. In some cases, they may be in pristine condition.

How Much is a Basic Rolex?

In order to understand the concept of an affordable Rolex, it helps to get an idea of the price ranges for different Rolex models. Many people are surprised to learn that the cost of different models can vary by such a wide margin. Once they get over the surprise, the idea of being able to find one or more Rolex watches for sale cheap is suddenly considered a possibility.

So what is the price range for a new Rolex? As of the autumn of 2019, it was possible to buy a new Rolex Oyster Perpetual for a little over $5,000 USD. At the other end of the spectrum, you have the Rolex Pearlmaster weighing in at $87,000 USD.

That doesn’t even take into account the many used Rolex watches that are in top condition. You could find different models for somewhere in the $2,500 USD range all the way up to something like the Platinum Diamond Pearlmaster that goes for just under $288,000 USD.

What’s the most expensive sale price for a single Rolex? That would be the 2017 purchase of the Paul Newman Daytona, which sold at an auction for $17.75 million USD. While that’s an extreme illustration, it demonstrates how a Rolex watch can turn out to be an excellent investment.

What does this mean for someone who wants a Rolex but has to be mindful of the price. A basic Rolex like the Oyster Perpetual is a comparative bargain if you prefer to purchase a new watch. If you would like a used one that’s in top condition, you can find something even more affordable. It’s up to you.

Which Countries Have the Least Expensive Rolex Watches?

If you ask many people where you can go to find the most affordable Rolex, many will recommend going to Switzerland. It’s certainly true that the initial pricing appears to be the best. There’s one factor that may make a difference: the VAT refund.

If you factor in the refund, it’s possible to find excellent deals in Scandinavia. The reason is that the VAT refund in Scandinavian countries like Norway, Sweden, and Denmark happen to be a bit more generous than the refund in Switzerland. In fact, the difference in refunds is so significant that the higher initial price in Scandinavia is easily offset and even helps to drive the overall price below what you are likely to pay in Switzerland. In short, the result is that the same model could end up costing less in Scandinavia.

While theses are often your best bet for cheap real Rolex watches, don’t overlook the potential for sales in several other parts of the world. For example, the market in Singapore may sometimes provide access to short-term sales that provide access to some beautiful new Rolex watches. Japan is also a viable option, especially when you consider that it’s possible to enjoy a significant VAT refund on used as well as new Rolex watches.

Finally, don’t count the United States out of the running. Whether looking for new or used Rolexes, there are fine jewelers who maintain an excellent line of options. The same is true for many jewelers in Canada. You may also come across jewelers who have connections with counterparts in other parts of the world and can help you find the model that you seek.

Is It Possible to Buy a Rolex for $1000?

It’s much more common to find cheap used Rolex watches around the $2,500 USD range and up. That doesn’t mean that you won’t come across watches that go for less. It will take some research and a lot of patience if you decide to hold out for paying closer to $1,000.

Some people may direct you to websites that allow sellers to post different items for sale. That includes auction sites that offer a “buy it now” option. Rarely will you find a Rolex in the price range that you have in mind. Even so, it never hurts to monitor watches that are somewhat close to your preferred price range. If they don’t sell within a certain amount of time, the seller may offer a discount off the original posted price.

Another potential avenue is to check estate sales. In some cases, relatives are more interested in selling off the contents of a home so it can be placed on the market rather than making a lot of money. If you do happen to come across a Rolex this way and it’s possible to verify that it’s the real deal, that’s a bargain that you don’t want to pass up.

Networking with professional jewelers offers another potential way to buy a Rolex for less. If you happen to be a regular customer, there’s the possibility that a the professional will be willing to sell a recently acquired used Rolex at cost. Remember that you want to buy something else as a show of your appreciation.

Don’t overlook your own social network. Friends may hear of someone who has a Rolex to sell and who doesn’t want to go to a shop or advertise through the normal channels. You just might find one or more affordable Rolex models by making it known that you’re in the market and would be happy to deal directly with a current owner.

Are There Fake Rolex Watches on the Market?

While you can often find excellent deals by means of a Rolex watches clearance, there’s something that must be taken into account. Among all those seemingly great deals, you will find more than one fake Rolex. At times, the fakes are advertised using carefully crafted means that would mislead those who don’t know the basic signs that their watches are not what they are thought to be. That why you should protect yourself by learning to tell the difference between an actual Rolex and a fake one.

How Can a Buyer Tell a Real Rolex From a Fake One?

It’s easy to find all sorts of suggestions for determining if you’re looking at a non-genuine Rolex versus a real one. While there is some controversy regarding how universal some of those methods may be, there are four specific areas to consider that seem to be on just about every list. Employing these four will go a long way toward making sure you don’t end up with a fake.

1. Begin by observing the movement. Specifically, take a look at how the second hand moves. If you’re holding an actual Rolex, the movement is smooth and steady. Many fakes employ the stuttered movement that’s favored by lower quality brands. If you notice a stutter, put down the counterfeit Rolex and continue your search for the real thing.

2. Check out the winders. Remember how a great deal of detail goes into the creation of every Rolex watch? That holds true for the winders as well as all other parts of the watch. The genuine article will sport winders that have beautiful grooves and engravings that easily set it apart from the rest. By contrast, a fake Rolex will likely have winders that look just like the ones used by countless other brands.

3. Rolex watches usually have what’s known as a Cyclops lens over the date. That lends magnifies the date so that it’s easier to read. Many of the counterfeits on the market today either omit this feature altogether, or they attempt to include what appears to be a lens that does little to nothing to magnify the date.

4. The weight of the watch itself is a clue. Remember that Rolex only uses the highest quality materials for every watch. Since the name of the game for counterfeit versions is to invest as little as possible in producing those inferior watches, they will use inferior materials that weigh noticeably less. If the purported Rolex seems to weigh no more than a watch you would purchase from a big box discount store, you can bet that it’s a fake.

Protect Yourself: Only Buy From a Trusted Source

So how do you find the best price for a genuine Rolex? Limit your search to reputable dealers like Diamond Source NYC who are happy to provide documents that authenticate the watch. In some cases, the watches will also be accompanied by their original cases or boxes. If you’re a collector as well as someone who likes to wear the watches from time to time, the documents and the cases will improve the odds that the watch will appreciate in value in the years to come.

Remember that if a deal seems too good to be true, there’s a solid chance that it’s a fake. Be open to the idea of finding an inexpensive Rolex, but take reasonable measures to protect yourself from ending up with a counterfeit. In the long run, you’ll have something that has substance as well as style.