Your Guide To Buying A Rolex

If a Rolex watch could talk, it would probably say, "Time is money, and I am worth a fortune!" For over a century, the name Rolex has been the darling of the watch world, synonymous with uncompromising quality and inventive designs. Buying a Rolex can be a demanding process. There are just so many different collections to choose from, each with their own unique purpose and features. And then within those collections, the watches themselves have their own specialized movements, all tucked away in cases made of all sorts of materials. It is a lot to wrap your head around before you can decide which Rolex is the one for you. And if that is not enough, you are most likely to witness incredibly high demand and limited supply because Rolex limits the production of many of its most popular models to maintain their exclusivity and desirability. So, to ensure you know exactly what you are getting into, we have put together the ultimate guide to buying a Rolex, from start to finish.

Essential Rolex Watch Terminology

Let us demystify some of the essential Rolex lingo you should know before investing in one of Rolex's iconic timepieces:

Oystersteel: It is Rolex's own special type of stainless steel. The Oystersteel is a high-performance alloy that Rolex has been using since 1985. This steel has a brilliant, polished finish that holds up incredibly well, even in tough conditions.

Rolesor: The Rolesor was developed in the 1930s. With the Rolesor, some parts of the watch are made in gold, while others are made in steel. Rolex uses terms like Yellow Rolesor, Pink Rolesor, and White Rolesor to specify the different gold and steel combinations.

Chromalight: It is Rolex's special luminescent display, introduced in 2008. The patented luminescent material provides optimal visibility in even the darkest conditions. The Chromalight display appears white in daylight, but glows a bright blue in the dark, allowing the time to be easily read no matter the lighting.

Cyclops lens: Rolex introduced the Cyclops lens in 1953. The lens is made from a virtually scratch-proof sapphire crystal and benefits from a double anti-reflective coating. Adding to the legibility of the date, the Cyclops lens is a curved lens set on the crystal at three o'clock.

Jubilee bracelet: Specially created for the Datejust, the Jubilee bracelet was launched in 1945. It features a combination of two large satin-finished links, flanking three smaller polished links. The links are made up of smaller, rounded segments that conform to the shape of the wrist.

President bracelet: This bracelet is made exclusively from 18K gold or 950 platinum since it was unveiled in 1956 on the Day-Date. The President bracelet features semi-circular three-piece links with a unique polished and satin finish. In 2015, Rolex added ceramic inserts to the bracelet to enhance its resistance and offer additional comfort.

Easylink: The Easylink is Rolex's patented rapid extension system introduced in 1996. It is hidden under the clasp and allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by about 5mm. With a simple move, you can unclip or clip back this extra link, making the bracelet more comfortable to wear.

Types Of Rolex Movements

Today, Rolex focuses more on automatic movements, but the brand's legacy of high-quality manual-winding mechanisms is still evident in vintage Rolex models. The Caliber 3135 is the watchmaker's flagship automatic movement, first introduced in 1988. It powers many of Rolex's most iconic models like the Submariner, Datejust, and Yacht-Master. While the Caliber 3235 is a newer automatic movement with a 70-hour power reserve, used in models like the Datejust 36 and Yacht-Master 42, the Caliber 4131 is Rolex's high-performance chronograph movement used in the Daytona models.

Famous Rolex Watch Nicknames

Whether you are a die-hard Rolex enthusiast or just appreciate a good nickname, the legendary Rolex timepieces have a way of capturing the imagination and sparking conversations. From the emerald-green Submariner 'Hulk' Ref. 116610LV to the classic 'Pepsi' and the caped crusader 'Batman', these prestigious watches have personalities as vibrant as their owners. The peppy green color of the Submariner Ref. 16610LV, reminiscent of the famous Muppet character Kermit the Frog, earned this watch the 'Kermit' nickname among enthusiasts. And the GMT-Master II 'Sprite' Ref. 126720VTNR takes its name from the refreshing soda, with its eye-catching black and green bezel combo.

The Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' Ref. 126710BLRO and 'Batman' Ref. 126710BLNR are also super popular. While the Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' features the classic red and blue bezel, the GMT-Master II 'Coke' chooses a black and red bezel. Then we have the Rolex Submariner 'Smurf', which is the blue-dialed and blue-bezel Submariner Ref. 116619LB, a watch that is as rare as finding a real Smurf village. And some of the rarest Daytonas are the exotic-dial Daytona watches, including one owned by American actor, film director, and race car driver Paul Newman. This Daytona worn by the Oscar-winning actor came to be known as Paul Newman's Paul Newman, a nickname so nice that they used it twice.

Popular Rolex Collections

The Rolex buyer's guide is not complete without talking about some of the most popular Rolex watch collections. Launched in 1953, the Rolex Submariner collection hosts a spectacular range of diving watches that are known for their sturdy case design, clean dial, rotating 60-minute bezel, and robust bracelet. Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona is an iconic collection of chrono watches. With roots in motorsports, the Cosmograph Daytona watches come in a wide variety of materials and styles, from classic stainless steel to precious gold and platinum. Rolex's hot-seller, the Datejust collection presents a classic appeal and versatility evident in its vast array of case sizes, metals, bracelets, and dial colors, while maintaining its signature date window.

Rolex GMT-Master II is the go-to collection of frequent flyers because the GMT-Master II watches simultaneously display two different time zones using the 24-hour hand. This line of Rolex watches is easily recognizable, courtesy the two-tone ceramic bezel, which comes in various combinations such as the famous red and blue, green and black, and blue and black. Made only in luxurious metals like gold and platinum, the watches in the Rolex Day-Date collection come in various dial colors, gem settings, and even unique materials like hard stone, wood, or meteorite. The distinctive feature of the Rolex Day-Date collection is its windows that display both the day of the week and the date.

The Rolex Explorer and Rolex Explorer II are built to withstand extreme temperatures, appealing the most to the daring and adventurous. Made of durable stainless steel with good water resistance, these watches are known for their simplicity and ruggedness, making the Rolex Explorer a collection of highly reliable watches. The Sky-Dweller collection consists of Rolex's most complex watches, featuring an annual calendar showing both date and month, along with a second time zone function. The collection features various stainless steel or precious metal cases. Offering some of the most simple and clean designs, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual collection includes watches with vibrantly colored dials, including shades like candy pink, green, and turquoise blue.

Where Can You Buy A Rolex Watch?

Once you have gotten the hang of Rolex watch terms, movements, and popular collections, it is time to choose a Rolex that suits you. When ready to buy, get genuine Rolex watches from official Rolex Jewelers for a five-year international guarantee. Rolex also allows authorized boutiques to sell their watches.

For a shopping journey that is as delightful as it is transparent, turn to platforms like Wristcheck. Here, authenticity is a promise, with every watch meticulously examined and tested by our skilled watchmakers against the highest industry standards. Make a purchase with confidence as you explore our extensive collection of genuine, unworn, and pre-owned Rolex watches. Each timepiece on Wristcheck undergoes a rigorous inspection, ensuring authenticity and quality. Our renowned 10-point grading system thoroughly evaluates every detail of a watch, from its case and bracelet to its movement and precision, giving you the assurance of a well-informed purchase. Benefit from free shipping on all orders made through wristcheck.com. Additionally, we provide a stress-free return policy to add to your satisfaction.