4 Of The Best Watches To Invest In For 2021

4 Of The Best Watches To Invest In For 2021 And Beyond

While 2020 may have been fraught with uncertainty, it’s reassuring to know that luxury watches still make for ideal investment opportunities. Over the past twelve months, prices in some of the world’s most stable shares and commodities have fluctuated wildly, yet the humble timepiece keeps on ticking – on an upward trajectory.

It should come as no surprise that the most highly coveted brands continue to witness consistent and stable growth. Mainstays in the horology world like Rolex have continued to appreciate in value on the secondary market, even in one of the shakiest financial years on record.

However, some models tend to perform better than others. While things like provenance and condition will affect the individual price of a watch, it’s worth keeping an eye on the market for cues that will often indicate the best watches for investment.

The best watches to invest in can be limited-edition runs, watches that sell out quickly upon release, models set to be discontinued or simple classics that will always be high in demand. While there’s no real guarantee that a watch will increase in value exponentially, by keeping an eye on the market you should be able to gain an incline before long as to which watches are likely to represent a good investment.

However, the big-name brands are always a good start; and they don’t come any more ubiquitous than Rolex. Recognised the world over, Rolex represents quality craftsmanship, engineering prowess, high-grade materials and design flair like no other. In this article, we’re going to focus on the best Rolex watches for investment in 2021 – and beyond.

Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LN

1) Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LN

The Submariner is one of Rolex’s most iconic and therefore most sought after series. The Submariner has evolved rather steadily since its inception in 1955, and the 116610LN - first released in 2010 - combines a classic dial with a modern movement.

A cyclops lens sits atop a date window, while luminescent hour markers sit neatly on the understated minimalist black dial. Classic Rolex tropes are applied here too: the 3 o’clock, 6 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions feature index hour markers, while 12 o’clock is marked with an inverted triangle.

Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LN

With the powerful in-house 3135 automatic movement keeping things ticking, watch enthusiasts understand that the Submariner-Date 116610LN is a timepiece to rely on. As a divers’ watch, it should come as no surprise that this model can withstand depths of up to 300 metres - but what about its performance on the secondary market?

A cursory look at 2020’s figures should tell you all you need to know. After a somewhat turbulent first-quarter - impacted upon by the unprecedented arrival of quarantine measures in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic - the Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LN was valued at lows of £8,100. However, before the first quarter of the year had come to a close, secondary market prices for this model had jumped to £9,800, eventually reaching highs of £11,800 in the last quarter of 2020.

For an investor in early 2020, this represents a gross profit margin of over 31 percent. If current trends are to continue, it looks like those investing now can expect to see even further profits throughout 2021 and beyond.

Rolex Submariner-Date ‘Hulk’ 116610LV

2) Rolex Submariner-Date ‘Hulk’ 116610LV

Production on the Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LV (affectionately nicknamed the ‘Hulk’ on account of its deep green dial) was discontinued as of September 2020. As can be expected, discontinued models tend to appreciate in value - and the ‘Hulk’ was certainly no exception.

During the first quarter of 2020, the Rolex Submariner-Date 116610LV ‘Hulk’ could be purchased via the Chrono Hunter network for as little as £10,900. While at the time it was unknown that this model would be discontinued, September’s announcement had a hugely positive impact on its value. By the end-quarter of 2020, the ‘Hulk’ was capable of fetching a staggering £17,500 - proof positive of the investment power of luxury timepieces.

Rolex Submariner-Date ‘Hulk’ 116610LV

Depending on who you speak to, the 116610LV Hulk is either the worst Submariner ever conceived or the coolest dive watch on the market. Regardless of whether you think it falls into the former or latter category, one thing is for certain: in 2020, it made for a highly lucrative investment. Its discontinuation towards the end of the year is undoubtedly going to spark an upward trend in its value throughout the following years, too.

Rolex GMT Master II ‘Batgirl’ 126710BLNR

3) Rolex GMT Master II ‘Batgirl’ 126710BLNR

Making its debut in 2019, the Rolex ‘Batgirl’ has since gone on to become one of the most sought-after timepieces in recent years. On the secondary market, horologists are happy to join months-long waiting lists to get their hands on this iconic timepiece, which replaces the 116710BLR ‘Batman’ model.

The main differences between the two models focus on an all-new five-link Jubilee bracelet, which replaces the three-link Oyster bracelet found on the ‘Batman’ model. In addition to this, the next-generation ‘Batgirl’ is driven by an automatic 3285 movement which boasts an improved 70-hour power reserve.

Rolex GMT Master II ‘Batgirl’ 126710BLNR

One of the main reasons behind the demand for the ‘Batgirl’ being so high on the secondary market is because Rolex doesn’t release many of these models at a time. The waiting list for brand-new models direct from the manufacturer is already painfully high, which means many enthusiasts will instead seek out pre-owned watches in mint condition.

Those looking to offload a ‘Batgirl’ at the beginning of 2020 could expect to have received £9,500 on the secondary market, with prices offered rising to highs of £11,500 towards the end of the year - proof positive that holding on to your investment for a little while longer can reap dividends in the end. However, if you’re in a position to sell right away, it might be worth contacting the Chrono Hunter team to arrange for the best possible deal for your timepiece.

Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN

4) Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN

Modern versions of the Daytona are often a source of frustration for keen Rolex collectors. This is because the brand only releases a highly-limited supply, making the Daytona one of its most sought-after models.

With the Daytona range, the ‘Panda’ (reference 116500LN) has proven to be a rather decisive hit - and it’s easy to see why. Firstly, it looks amazing: available in a choice of gold, platinum or Rolex’s own Oyster Steel, the classy colour schemes, simple design and inclusion of a tachymeter on the bezel all combine to create one of the all-time greatest racing watches. It even comes with a 100-metre water-resistant guarantee, which is not commonly found in watches of this type.

Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN

The ‘Panda’ is also a hugely versatile piece. It pairs well with formal and casual attire alike, which means it spends a lot more time on the wrist than most investment pieces. However, as an investment, it made for an ideal choice in 2020 and looks set to be a moneyspinner during 2021 and beyond.

At the beginning of last year, a Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN would have set you back £19,800. However, with prices picking up by the final quarter of 2020, the exact same model had reached highs of £23,000 - a gross profit increase of 13.91 percent. We’re sure you’ll agree that’s a smarter investment than simply letting your money stagnate in the bank.

The feedback loop of popular Rolex watches

Some of the most popular Rolex products can be summed up by this simple five-step feedback loop. For those keen to spot the next market trend, it’s worth making note of how certain watches become popular on the secondary market, therefore making them perfect for investment:

Rolex announces the release of an exceptional watch.
Collectors join the bandwagon and purchase the initial run.
Celebrities, CEOs and other people of note are spotted wearing a particular model.

The general public follows these trendsetters, thereby increasing demand.

Initial supply runs out, and a large proportion of collectors turn to the secondary market.

Conclusion

While there may have been a temporary dip in the luxury watch market at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, by the end of 2020 figures were up almost 14% on the previous year – proof positive that not even major global financial issues can impact upon the value of Rolex watches.

The real appeal for horologists is that in a digital era, luxury timepieces offer something real and tangible to invest in. A Rolex isn’t simply a bunch of ones and zeros on a screen – it’s a highly personal investment which can be cherished in the home or on the wrist.

Steady market appreciation and increasing opportunities for people to enter the market have played a huge role in the upsurge in luxury watch prices. The figures speak for themselves: despite uncertainty across a gamut of other industries, the secondary market for luxury watches continues to not only hold its own but to increase steadily. There’s never been a better time to invest in a luxury timepiece, and there’s no better place to start than Chrono Hunter.

If you’re looking to invest in a pre-owned watch, Chrono Hunter is on-hand to help source the best possible deals from a network of luxury retailers which have been hand-picked to ensure you can enjoy the watch you deserve at a price you can afford.

Strong working relationships with some of the most esteemed traders of luxury timepieces in the UK and beyond allows Chrono Hunter to allow its customers to access a reliable and trustworthy network of watch dealers. Whether you’re selling a Rolex or looking to invest in a watch for the future, why not get in touch with a member of the team today for further information on how to get involved in a market which is currently witnessing unprecedented growth?

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