Everyone knows Rolex, right? But just because this particular brand is very notable and recognizable, even for those who haven’t ever purchased a luxury watch in their lives, that doesn’t mean that shopping for one is automatically easy. If you’re shopping for a new Rolex and you’re new to the world of watches, there are a few things you’ll need to know. Here’s our La Maison Yamron Rolex Buyer’s Guide to get you started in the buying process.
Determine Your Style
Before you go buy any watch or other piece of jewelry, it’s important to think about your personal style, or what you want your personal style to be. While you may think of Rolex watches as merely the larger dress watches that are appropriate for office wear, the brand actually offers quite a substantial variety of both men’s and women’s watches, designed with various lifestyles and activities in mind. From diving watches to leisure watches, you can find something to fit your tastes from Rolex. However, you’ll want to go into the buying process knowing what you want, so you don’t spend valuable time shopping around for those watches that aren’t to your liking.
Determine Your Budget
Once you know what kind of watch you’d like to buy, you’ll need to determine your budget. Rolex watches aren’t as affordable as what you might buy at your local big-box store, but that doesn’t mean they’re always going to cost tens of thousands of dollars, either. While Rolex watches are pricier than what you might be used to, they’re certainly not out of reach for most shoppers. So, decide how much you want to spend and then stick to your budget. You can always upgrade your watch to a more expensive option once your budget has increased.
Decide: New or Pre-Owned
After you’ve decided on what type of watch you’d like, as well as your budget, you want to consider whether you’d like to buy a new or used Rolex watch. Both options come with their pros and cons. Let’s talk pre-owned first.
If you specifically want a model that’s a little more exclusive, or a vintage model, then you may want to go the used route. You’ll find that these types of Rolex watches are more available if you buy them pre-owned, versus attempting to find them in a retail location. Additionally, buying a pre-owned luxury watch comes with the added benefit of a lower cost, in some instances. Used Rolex watches are also typically in fine condition, as owners often take great care to have the timepieces serviced and cleaned throughout the life of the watch. However, obviously, a pre-owned watch is just that. Someone else has already worn and enjoyed it, and if that bothers you, you might never get over it.
New watches can be a little more expensive, but at least you know you’re the only one to ever use a new watch. Additionally, buying a new Rolex means you get the latest and greatest models. There’s no settling for a model from a few years ago.
Either of these options is a good choice. There’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to pre-owned versus new. It all depends on your personal preferences and priorities.
The shopping process
So you’ve decided the type of watch you want, as well as your budget, and whether or not you want to go pre-owned or new … The only thing left is to just buy the watch, right? Well, kind of.
The Rolex shopping process requires a good deal of care and attention. You don’t want to just walk into your nearest retail location and plop down your cash, or google “used Rolex” and buy a watch from the first website that appears on your browser.
Instead, look to a reputable retailer like Yamron, who can assist you with finding the best watch for your needs and preferences, while also providing service and other care down the line. Some retailers — like La Maison Yamron — offer a combination of both new and pre-owned watches, so you can browse both options. Purchasing a pre-owned watch directly from a certified seller like Yamron rather than just from some stranger on the internet guarantees authenticity and value.
Consider the extra details
As you shop, you’ll realize that you have even more options than you may have originally assumed. While you may know the type of watch you want, you might discover that there are other considerations to take into account before settling on the perfect watch for you.
One of these considerations is watch size. Do you need a smaller or larger watch? The watch case should be proportional to your wrist size.
Additionally, what band do you want? Some watches come with interchangeable bands or bracelets, while some are available in different materials, such as metal, leather, nylon and others. You’ll likely want to choose the band based on your lifestyle and frequent activities. If you plan on wearing your watch to the office only, then you can choose just about any band and rest assured you made a good choice. However, if you’re a frequent runner, swimmer or are generally outdoors in the heat or water often, you’ll want to specifically look for a watch band that can stand up to that kind of wear and tear.
Consider your resale value
When you’re just in the process of buying your very first Rolex, you may not necessarily think about future resale or trade value. After all, you’re just buying the watch now — you may think that you’re never going to give your brand-new accessory up! However, chances are likely that, eventually, even if it’s 10 years down the line, you’ll want to upgrade or change watches. For this reason, it’s important to consider a watch’s resale or trade-in value. Ask your trusted jeweler about which Rolex watches have the best resale value and which hold their value best over time. They can advise which watches will make the best long-term investment.
We are here to help!
Let the La Maison Yamron team help you pick your perfect Rolex. Stop into our retail location in Naples or browse our full selection of men’s and women’s watches — from Pre-Owned Rolex watches and other favorite brands. You can also give us a call at 239-610-1106 or an email at i[email protected]
