As one of the most recognized luxury Swiss watchmakers in the world, buying your first Rolex is a milestone worth celebrating. But with hundreds of models, price variations, and a competitive secondary market, there’s plenty of room for costly errors. Don’t make them!
Why Do You Want a Rolex?
Before you compare models or prices, take a moment to decide what owning a Rolex means to you. The reason behind your purchase determines everything else, from the model you choose to where you buy it.
Here are the top reasons why people buy Rolex watches:
- Personal achievement: For many, buying a Rolex commemorates graduating from university, getting promoted, beating cancer, or another major turning point in life. If the watch is for you and will have deep personal meaning, it should speak to you. Avoid buying a model just because it’s more popular or expensive.
- For daily wear or special occasions: Think about how you plan to use the watch. If you want something to wear every day, you may prefer versatile designs like the Datejust or Oyster Perpetual. If you want a timepiece exclusively for formal events or luxury settings, a Day-Date or gem-set model may be more appropriate.
- A gift for someone special: A Rolex is a generous gift for anniversaries, birthdays, or any other occasion that celebrates someone you love. Since the watch is for someone else, consider a model that suits their lifestyle and personal taste, or go with something classic and timeless.
- Future investment: While not every model gains resale value, certain references (model numbers), like the Daytona or Submariner, have a track record of performing well in the secondary market.
Once you understand the purpose behind your purchase, choosing the perfect Rolex becomes so much easier.
What Is the Best Rolex for First-Time Buyers?
Below are some of the best starting points for first-time Rolex buyers. Each collection boasts unique functions, materials, and aesthetics. Knowing how they differ from one another can help narrow your options based on lifestyle, taste, and goals. Just remember to set a realistic budget before exploring models.
1. Rolex Submariner
The Submariner first appeared in 1953 and achieved renown for withstanding depths up to 100 meters. Since then, its resistance rating rose to 300 meters, making it a true diver’s auxiliary that also looks refined on dry land. Rolex built about 4 million Submariners by 2020, securing the model’s legacy for generations to come.
Divers, ocean enthusiasts, athletes, collectors, and just about everyone else can’t go wrong with a Submariner. Just because it’s a “dive watch” doesn’t mean its use is limited to the water. The Submariner pairs technical capability with a style that transitions effortlessly from casual settings to formal occasions. Moreover, it’s a perfectly acceptable choice for women, as the lines between men’s and women’s watches have blurred through the decades.
2. Rolex Datejust and Lady-Datejust
Rolex introduced the Datejust in 1945 to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary. It’s the first self-winding waterproof chronometer timepiece with a window showing the date at 3 o’clock on the dial. Over time, the 36 mm two-tone Datejust became Rolex’s best-selling model ever. Since 2010, its resale value has grown from around $1,150 to $8,500 by mid-2025.
The Rolex Datejust is an excellent choice for men and women seeking a versatile wristwatch for everyday and special occasions, particularly those looking for a single, high-quality timepiece that conveys success.
3. Rolex Daytona
Rolex released the Daytona in 1963 for professional drivers and motorsport enthusiasts. With its tachymeter bezel and chronograph subdials that measure elapsed time and calculate average speed during races, it’s a functional accessory as much as a statement piece.
Over the years, the Daytona evolved into one of Rolex’s most beloved wristwatches. References associated with American actor and race car driver, Paul Newman, gained legendary status after his personal Daytona, which he gave to his daughter’s boyfriend in 1984, sold for $17.8 million in 2017.
Because production numbers stay limited and demand is high, some Daytona models have long waitlists and trade above retail on the secondary market.
The standard Rolex Daytona is a versatile unisex watch. Known for its sleek 40mm design, it wears smaller and is available in a variety of luxurious materials, including gold and platinum, as well as gem-set models.
4. Rolex Day-Date
The luxurious Rolex Day-Date debuted in 1956 and became the first watch to display both the day of the week and the date spelled in full. This innovation was a world-first for a mechanical wristwatch. Deepening its desirability among buyers, Rolex exclusively produces the Day-Date and its specially-designed President bracelet in precious metals like platinum, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold.
The Day-Date is a timeless, investment-worthy piece that simultaneously screams and whispers power. It’s a must-have for anyone who values luxury and horological innovation, such as world leaders, influential figures, successful professionals, and collectors drawn to its prestigious “President’s Watch” status and exquisite precious metal construction.
5. Rolex Oyster Perpetual
Introduced in 1926, the original Oyster was the world’s first waterproof wristwatch. It featured a patented screw-down case that became the foundation of Rolex engineering. That innovation set a new standard in watchmaking and established Rolex’s identity as a leader in craftsmanship.
Today’s Oyster Perpetual builds on that history with a clean, simple, more understated aesthetic compared to models like the Submariner or Day-Date. In 2025, Rolex debuted a series of pastel dials, including lavender, pistachio green, and beige, that sparked huge collector demand and drove prices for certain sizes well above retail. It’s one of the most desirable entry points into the brand.
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How to Choose Between New and Pre‑Owned Rolex Watches
Both options have advantages depending on your goals:
- New: Buying from an authorized dealer guarantees authenticity and includes a manufacturer’s warranty. The downside is limited availability for high-demand models, with long waitlists in many cases.
- Pre‑owned: Buying pre-owned gives you access to Rolex models no longer available in stores, including discontinued references that collectors seek out. Prices vary depending on demand and condition, which makes authentication especially crucial. Only buy from credible resellers with money-back guarantees, and work with seasoned appraisers, like Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, who can authenticate luxury watches and confirm whether every component is genuine.
With hundreds of references and price ranges, take the time to compare models to ensure you bring home the perfect Rolex watch for yourself or a loved one. And when the time comes to sell or upgrade, here at Biltmore Loan and Jewelry, we buy Rolex watches at premium rates.