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Rolex

Rolex watches are the cream of the vintage wristwatch market and therefore, alongside Patek Philippe, tend to make the highest prices. Over the years a host of famous people have worn them and this adds to the value.

One of the attractions is that many Rolexes were made for specific purposes, such as the Submariner intended for divers, or sport versions, and as such they are tough and practical. They also have plenty of details that vary widely even for the same model, giving particular appeal to collectors.


Edgar Mitchell's Rolex GMT-Master 1675

First Rolex worn on the moon appears at auction

08 October 2024

The Rolex GMT-Master worn by the sixth man to walk on the moon, Edgar Mitchell, is being offered at a sale in the US

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Bidders explore a Rolex opportunity

02 September 2024

The latest Watches sale at Fellows in Birmingham included a rare Rolex Explorer II, reference 1665.

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Pay for it when the war’s over

02 September 2024

A recent sale at Key’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Aylsham included a Second World War prisoner of war Rolex 3525 Oyster chronograph offered together with the original owner’s medals, dog tags and personal wartime diaries.

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Second World War prisoner of war Rolex watch features among five lots to watch

22 July 2024

With estimates from £300, here are five previews of items coming up at auction this week

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Rolex told time for intrepid explorer

08 April 2024

A Rolex used by Spanish sailor and scientist Vital Alsar Ramirez (1933-2020) during his Amazon and Atlantic expeditions in 1977 sold for £10,000 at Halls (24% buyer’s premium).

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Two lots both with one careful owner since new

11 March 2024

Watches with provenance will naturally command a premium.

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Rolex for the Japanese market comes to London auction

20 November 2023

This rare Rolex reference 6238 was one made for the Japanese market in 1965.

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Rolex taken from £200 original purchase to £45,500 at auction

05 June 2023

This Rolex Cosmograph Dayton is proof that some branded wristwatches have become an exceptional investment

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Rolex bought for £200 by vendor is among six lots to watch

22 May 2023

With estimates from £200, here are six previews of items coming up at auction this week.

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Heroic diver's Rolex watch featured on Antiques Roadshow comes to Norfolk auction

01 May 2023

A 1963 Rolex Submariner 5513 that was featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow last year is to be offered for auction at TW Gaze in Diss on May 11.

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Collector interview: ‘A hobby that you can wear’

14 November 2022

Auction consultant tells us about his own collection.

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Rolex red letter day

14 November 2022

The Fine Wristwatches & Pens auction at Chiswick Auctions includes a rare variant of perhaps the most celebrated of all Rolex ‘tool’ watches: a 1970s Submariner with the so-called ‘single red’ Mark IV dial.

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A Rolex chronograph rarity surfaces in Italy

18 July 2022

The reference 3330 antimagnetic is one of the rarest pre-Oyster chronographs made by Rolex.

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Rolex Military Submariners with macho provenance command high prices at Bonhams

18 July 2022

Two Rolex tool watches were estimated to bring £80,000-120,000 each at a recent Fine Watches sale at Bonhams’ (27.5/25% buyer’s premium).

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Recognition for the ‘quartz crisis’ casualties

07 March 2022

Although Roamer fell victim to the ‘quartz crisis’ – the introduction of quartz watches in the 1970s and early 1980s that largely replaced mechanical watches – in the 1950s-60s the firm enjoyed a good reputation as the maker of good-quality, affordable automatic mechanical watches.

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Digging deep for the Deep Sea Special

06 December 2021

The Rolex Deep Sea Special, with its remarkable bubble case capable of withstanding huge pressure, was created in the early 1950s to test just how deep a diving watch could go.

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Explorer Rolex finds eager buyer

27 September 2021

A Richard Winterton (20% buyer’s premium) sale in Lichfield included this 1973 Rolex Explorer II which sparked international interest.

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Snuffbox copy has its own charms

23 August 2021

Along with its Summer Fine Art sale, Tennants held a jewellery, watches and silver sale on July 17.

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A ‘Lawrence of Arabia’ Omega brings £9000

14 June 2021

Tennants’ recent sale of Jewellery, Watches & Silver included, at a top-estimate £9000, a rare Omega aviator’s watch.

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One careful owner for a Bond Submariner

14 June 2021

After a decade riding a market wave, ‘original owner’ Rolex tool watches are increasingly scarce at auction.