It is no secret that the pawn value of any item is heavily influenced by its condition. If you own a Rolex watch from the 1960’s that looks and works like the day it was made, it is going to be worth more than the same watch that’s not functioning or has a major cosmetic flaw. The best step to take to ensure your Rolex does not end up in the latter category is to practice good routine maintenance.

How to Take Care of your Rolex Watch

The first step in good Rolex maintenance is to wear your watch as often as possible. Unlike a lot of valuable assets, Rolex watches are better served when they are being used and not stored. The longer your Rolex sits unused, the higher the likelihood that oil can dry out causing the movements of the watch to stiffen. When not wearing your watch, make sure it is stored in a relatively temperature controlled space with low humidity. You do not want any moisture getting into your watch, which will cause rust to begin to form.

Of course wearing your watch daily or at least on most days will cause dirt and oils from the environment to build up on the exterior of the watch. It is important to clean your watch and remove this debris. When cleaning your Rolex watch, it is very important that you check to make sure the crown of the watch is screwed as tightly to the case as possible so that no water can make it inside. Using your hands, wipe the watch with lukewarm water and ammonia free soap to remove oils and debris. Depending on the buildup of debris on the watch, you may need to use a soft bristle brush (toothbrush will work) to sweep away grime or larger particles. Be sure you use a soft bristle brush! Once the scrubbing is done you will want to rinse the watch in lukewarm water. Submerge the watch in the water in short intervals until the soap and debris are gone. To dry, use a clean cloth to pat dry the exterior of the watch. If you like, you may also use a blow dryer on a low heat setting to dry the watch.

If at any point you are concerned that water has made its way inside the watch (typically by noticing condensation under the crystal), take your watch into a certified Rolex dealer immediately.

To ensure optimal performance and maintenance of your Rolex, have it serviced every 5 years by a certified Rolex dealer. If you own a Rolex that is over 10 years old, you may want to consider having it serviced every 2-3 years. Dealers are experts in maintaining the precision of the watch and can also help to answer any other question you may have.

Scratches are a normal part of a watch’s life. There are of course measures to take to avoid unnecessary scratches but wear and tear will occur through normal use, especially around the bracelet of the watch. The good news is that most minor scratches can be removed with polishing. We recommend having your watched professionally polished rather than attempting it on your own.

Following these basic steps can help your Rolex retain its value better and longer. After all, owning a Rolex is like owning a car: It is better when it’s used, when it’s maintained and when it looks good.

You don’t typically hear about luxury watch purchases as a method of investment. However, if owning a watch that hold its value is an important quality for you, then there are options for you. Watches made in the $4,000-$9,000 price range seem to retain their value best and in some cases even appreciate in value, and Rolex unmistakably dominates this market.

Why Rolex Watches Hold Their Value

Aside from the high quality of Rolex watches, perhaps the most impressive factor behind why Rolex watches hold their value so well is the esteemed reputation of the Rolex name among consumers. The Rolex brand is globally recognized as a consistent, reliable, fashionable, and sought-after wristwatch by most consumers. Chances are whether you’ve owned a Rolex or not, you recognize the name and more than likely you associate owning a Rolex watch with success and prestige. Thanks to a history of brilliant and bold brand marketing, you can ask most non-watch enthusiasts who makes the best watch and their response will be: Rolex.

The Rolex brand began its journey to being an industry leader in luxury wristwatches by having an unwavering focus on creating the absolute highest quality watch. From the materials used to the mechanics behind them, Rolex wanted to be the best and look the best. With such a focus, Rolex was able to gain popularity and loyalty among consumers in their early years. As time has passed and the wristwatch market has inevitably changed and become more competitive, Rolex continues to hold that same esteem and impress brand marketers worldwide.

In the later years of the brand, Rolex began to focus their marketing around creating the perception that a Rolex watch was not just a quality timepiece but also a symbol of success. One of the simplest marketing strategies of Rolex is playing off of the supply and demand of their own market. Rolex supplies enough watches to satisfy most market demand, but not too many watches so as to keep consumer desire alive and growing. In fact, there is a waitlist for several Rolex watch models; the current wait for the Daytona can be up to 18 months.

Rolex also keeps a tight list of authorized distributors and has restrictions that make it almost impossible for authorized retailers to discount their watches. Both of these tactics fuel the perception among consumers that Rolex watches are high quality investment pieces. While the perception that the purchase of a Rolex is always a solid investment may be a bit skewed, they undoubtedly hold their value better than any other luxury wristwatch brand.

Luxury watch maker, Rolex, is considered to be a wise financial investment in addition to being a precise, fashionable, high-quality timepiece. We consign, sell and offer pawn loans for Rolex and other top watch brands at our Whittier, CA pawn shop.