Buying a luxury watch can sometimes be an intimidating prospect, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the market. If you have an interest in watches and are looking to start your own collection, it’s a good idea to start with something affordable. These entry-level watches can ease you into the watch collecting world and provide you with a beautiful timepiece to boot. As the biggest and most well-known luxury watchmaker in the world, Rolex is a particularly great brand to start with. Rolex has been in the industry for many years, so you can trust you’re getting a quality product. Their longevity has also led to a wide variety of watch models being released, including some less expensive models that are very affordable.
If you’re looking for the least expensive Rolex watches, BQ Watches can help. BQ Watches is the best provider of used luxury Rolexes in the UK. You can trust that we’ll be able to find the right affordable Rolex for you. Let’s take a look at some of the best options currently on the market.
The first avenue you may want to consider is a quartz movement watch. When you’re looking at the least expensive Rolex models, you may encounter more quartz movements than automatic movements. Quartz watches are powered by a battery, while automatic watches are powered by the natural movement of your wrist when you’re walking.
Quartz movement Rolexes are frequently affordable when compared to the more common automatic options, so they’re definitely worth a look if you’re a price-savvy buyer. You may even luck into a good investment, as these watches are gradually becoming desirable commodities for certain collectors. This is due to the fact that although quartz movement watches are priced lower, they’re actually much rarer than automatic watches. Rolex made fewer than 25,000 of them before stopping products. Compare that to the millions of Rolexes that are produced every year and you have a fairly rare watch on your hands.
The Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust is usually the more affordable of the Oysterquartz models, with many of the same features and complications of the perpetual Datejust.
The quartz Datejust has a more angular case than its automatic counterpart, and typically comes in stainless Oystersteel, yellow gold, and silver. The case is a standard 36mm.
The Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date will likely be the more expensive of the two Oysterquartz models.
Just like its automatic counterpart, the Oysterquartz Day-Date is made exclusively with precious models, with yellow or white gold as your primary options. This watch also comes with a 36mm case. The iconic full day display along with the date on the 3 o’clock of the dial gives this Rolex its signature look.
Now we come to the most common watches in the Rolex catalouge – the automatic movements watches. Most luxury watch purists prefer these movements, and typically these watches will fetch a higher price on the market. With that being said, the right used automatic Rolex can easily be more affordable than the quartz movement watches we mentioned above.
It stands to reason that a lack of scarcity would inevitably make some of these models less expensive. Again, Rolex makes one million watches per year. Not every one of them is going to sell for incredibly high prices on the second-hand market. While Rolexes do maintain their value relatively well, the right used watch can easily be snapped up for a very affordable price. If you’re looking for the least expensive automatic watches, we recommend taking a look at Oyster Perpetuals, Datejusts, and Air-Kings first. Here are some details about each of these exquisite models.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is known for being the ultimate entry-level watch for the Rolex brand. The design is based on the original Rolex Oyster watch, with the patented waterproof case that Rolex created. The Oyster case is known for being the first reliably waterproof wristwatch.
The Oyster Perpetual took things further by adding the self-winding perpetual movement. In addition to being an affordable Rolex, it’s also one of the most innovative watches to be introduced to the luxury watch market.
The Rolex Datejust is one of the most popular and diverse watches in the Rolex lineup. This watch has been made for over 75 years, meaning there are plenty of sizes, materials, and styles to choose from. The huge number of Datejusts out there means that some models can be fetched for an attractive price.
The Datejust is most known for introducing the date window to the watch world, along with the iconic Jubilee bracelet. The Datejust has a timeless design and style, so you really can’t go wrong when it comes to choosing one of these watches.
The Rolex Air-King can also be obtained at a relatively affordable price point. This beautiful timepiece was designed to honor the pioneers of aviation from the 1930s. The design of the watch prominently features 3, 6, and 9 hour marks, to pay homage to the navigational time readings on pilot watches.
If you’re looking for an entry-level Rolex with a unique style that nods to aero engineering, this is a great choice.
If you’re looking for us to weigh in on the matter, we recommend the Rolex Datejust as the best value for an affordable Rolex. They hold their price very well, they have an iconic design, and they’re priced right at the sweet spot for someone looking to buy a nice Rolex that isn’t too expensive.
The variety of Datejusts to choose from also gives you a lot of options. You’re sure to find a Rolex Datejust that you’ll love when you look at the inventory of BQ Watches.
Of course, the best affordable Rolex is actually the one you love the most. If you like a Rolex that is in your price range, that’s the one we recommend. BQ Watches is happy to help you find that perfect used watch. Our vast inventory is sure to have something that fits your style and your budget.
If you see a Rolex you like or if you have any questions, feel free to contact us. Our team can help source your next watch whenever you’re ready.
