Rolexes have been among the most coveted luxury watches on the market for decades — and for good reason. Impeccable movements, unquestionable reliability, and classic design make them a timepiece for the ages. But, trying to cut corners when buying a watch is a good way to end up with a fake, and in order to dress for success each day, you need to keep everything authentic. When shopping for more affordable Rolex timepieces, make sure you approach only full retailers or pre-owned dealers with top-notch credentials and clearly listed guarantees.
While finding a cheap Rolex to fit your budget can be difficult, here is a quick guide to the four cheapest Rolexes you can buy.
1. OYSTER PERPETUAL
The quintessential men’s dress watch, the Oyster Perpetual Datejust is one of the cheapest Rolex available on the market today. Used, you can find it ranging from $2,600 to $3,000, while brand-new, it can be purchased for $5,000 to $6,000.
While it’s available in precious metals, like 18k gold, you may want to stick with the stainless steel version to cut down on costs. Stainless steel will polish to a high shine and it’s an extremely durable choice for an everyday watch. Even Tom Cruise and Andy Warhol chose this Rolex for their collection.
2. AIR KING ($3,500)
A totally unique Rolex timepiece, the Air King was actually designed for the British Royal Air Force. It was meant to provide pilots with an extremely readable and reliable watch that could hold up during combat. It has recently been redesigned and still stands out from most other watches in the Rolex catalogue.
You can find the Air King at many second-hand retailers ranging from $3,500 to $5,900, but brand-new it’ll cost you a bit more. An Oystersteel version from the Rolex website is available for about $6,900. Air King has been the watch of choice for the likes of Anderson Cooper and Ryan Gosling.
3. VINTAGE DATEJUST ($3,500)
Choosing a vintage piece will often bring down the cost of a watch significantly, but the tradeoff is that it will rarely be a completely new watch. You also won’t be finding any vintage options on the Rolex website. Some people prefer vintage timepieces exactly because you can see some of the wear and tear on them. The added character and spirit of adventure tell a story and bring the watch to life. While there are many pros and cons to buying vintage, this series is undeniably classic.
Stars from Rihanna to Bono prefer this design and the newest version is available at Rolex for about $10,000.
4. EXPLORER ($4,800)
Often considered an under-the-radar classic, the Explorer is best used for its namesake — to explore! Worn to conquer Mount Everest, this timepiece has some serious adrenaline junkie vibes and should be your constant companion through any adventure. From skydiving to race car driving, the Explorer can adorn your wrist for just under $5,000 when bought used. New, on the Rolex site, it can cost upwards of $7,000.
Notable lovers of the Explorer include Jon Hamm and Matt Damon.
The Right Rolex
If you’re just starting your Rolex collection and want to begin with a smaller purchase, these watches could be the right choice for you. Just do your due diligence and shop with a retailer you can trust.
