top of page

Cash for Rolex: How Much Cash Can You Get for Selling a Rolex and Other Luxury Watches?

Updated: Jan 4, 2023

Did you know that the prices of precious metals, like gold and silver, have grown exponentially over the last century? You might have a goldmine in your home that you didn't know about.


Everyone has a bundle of jewelry, watches, and other items that sit unused in a drawer for years on end. You may not have realized that these items have very high resale value.


Reselling luxury items, like watches, is a great way to keep building your nest egg. Selling a Rolex can bring in far more value than you might imagine.


Most people think that a Rolex is the most expensive watch they can own. In reality, there are a wealth of watches that are worth far more.


However, luxury watches are among the most high-priced items on the resale market. Selling a luxury watch might be an emotional decision, but once you realize how much cash value your items have, you might start feeling very differently.


Vintage watches, for example, can increase $30,000 to $300,000 over short and long periods. Unless you're an avid watch collector, do you need the same one you've been wearing (or not) for years?


This article will explore how best to sell your luxury items to get the highest cash value. No matter the condition of your goods, you're in for a surprise when you learn the value.

selling a Rolex for cash

Selling a Rolex


Most people keep their timepieces for special occasions. You might only wear your watch once or twice a year. Has anyone ever really commented on it on those rare occasions?


Probably not. Watches are less of a social statement than they used to be. The surprising thing is, your Rolex has likely increased in value over time.


Hesitation with selling a watch usually stems from the presumption that it is complicated. This couldn't be further from the truth.


There are ways to ensure the process of selling your items earns you extra cash. There are tips and tricks to increase the resale value of luxury watches.


The demand for secondhand luxury watches is on the rise. While people want new, vintage is the coolest new trend, and the watch market is part of the surge.

Get Your Paperwork in Order


Whether it was a gift, an inherited item, or a purchase you made yourself, most luxury watches come with authentication paperwork. The more information you have on your watch, the better.


The newest Rolex models come with a guarantee card. Guarantee cards are also known as certificates or core papers that you receive at the point of sale.


Guarantee cards are electronically activated when the watch is first purchased. Even if you bought your item secondhand, this information would be stored along with the warranty.


The citation information on your guarantee card will have the retailer's name, the date of purchase, and the original buyer. Some buyers will refuse to put their name on the card so that official retail stores can put "XXXX" on the guarantee.


Guarantee cards are internationally recognized, so they would still be valid in the United States if you bought your item abroad. If you don't have a guarantee card, don't panic.


Most Rolex owners know to keep a record of ownership. Again, if you don't have a history of ownership and can't remember whom you bought the watch from, this won't significantly impact the value.

Not having the appropriate paperwork is not a big deal in many cases. There are plenty of ways to get information before selling your Rolex.


Get Authenticated


Rolex offers a range of makes, models, and styles of watches. Knowing precisely what you intend to sell is easy; you have to find the right person to help.


If you live near a Rolex store or official Rolex dealer, take your watch in to have the item authenticated. You can also check the item yourself.


All authentic Rolex watches will have a laser-etched coronet in the sapphire crystal near the 6 o'clock position. Most people can't see the etching with their naked eye, so use a magnifying glass.


Rolexes made before 2004 might not have the etching, so check the back of your watch. The back case cover should be completely blank. If yours says something like "Made in Switzerland," it is fake.


The inside of the back case cover will have an engraving. You might need to take your watch to a dealer to remove the back casing safely.


Multiple other engravings and critical factors will determine your Rolex's age, authenticity, and value. If you're confident you have the real deal, then it's time to get a range of appraisal values.


Get Appraisals Ahead of Time


If your Rolex is in working order, the appraisal process shouldn't take too long. If you have the authentication paperwork, like guarantee cards, receipts, handkerchiefs, notepads, and other Rolex-related items that come with the purchase, bring all of the above to your appraisers.

Taking your watch to any watch shop is the preferred method of getting an exact appraisal value. Some dealers will provide you with a cost range.


During the appraisal process, the watch expert might carry out routine testing of your Rolex. These individuals will determine the mechanical readiness of your watch, the aesthetic uniqueness, and the quality of the design.


The top experts will also tell you when your watch was made. The older your Rolex, the more likely it is to be a collector's item. Collector's items, notably a Rolex, will make selling a luxury watch significantly easier and fetch a far higher cash price.


Alternatively, you can send photographs of this information to official appraisers to get a range of price options. Whomever you get appraisals from, have them send detailed prices or ranges.


Make Sure Your Item Is Presentable


During the appraisal process, you may be told how to increase the value of your Rolex through necessary cleaning methods. The exterior aesthetic of a Rolex increases the cash sale value.


If you don't want to clean your watch yourself, you can bring it to your local jewelry cleaner. They'll be able to ensure every area is addressed.


If your item is clean, do not take photographs with your cellphone unless you have a top-of-the-range model. You want your Rolex to draw in every potential buyer, so having the best photos is critical.


Once you've taken care of all of these steps, you're in a great place to start the sales process. Of course, you're more likely to get top dollar the more you know.


Luxury Watches, Materials, and More


Of course, there are far more luxury watches than just Rolexes. You might also be interested in selling other types of jewelry. If this is the case, it's essential to know precisely what you're doing.


The market for secondhand jewelry is soaring as many people are getting married in the new decade. The new generation of shoppers has created a pandemic boom.


During Thanksgiving 2021, jewelry sales rose almost 40%. Though the price of luxury items changes daily, the fluctuation in the market of raw materials is relatively steady.


Selling a luxury watch of any type will fetch good cash value, depending on the item it is made from. Let's explore some variables that can influence the price of your luxury watches and other things.


Real Prices Versus Emotional Price


The physical value of your item might change, but the emotional value will stay constant. If you've inherited a wealth of items from a family member, some of them might be worth more to you than the market.


Most experts recommend waiting up to a year to honestly decide whether or not you want to sell a personal item. You cannot replace the emotional loss of a treasured heirloom.


However, you may have inherited many pieces taking up space in your home. If you have no emotional ties to your pieces, selling is the perfect way to make space and money.


Gold Versus Silver


Keeping tabs on the market value of gold and silver is key to reselling luxury watches. Throughout 2020, an ounce of gold was worth anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000.


If you're unsure of what your luxury watch is worth, the weight of the metals is a superb baseline for what to expect. Should your item also contain precious stones or other metals, this can significantly increase the cash value.


Silver is constantly in demand, as industrial processes require silver for thermal and electrical conductors. The value of silver is closely related to gold. As the value of the U.S. dollar decline, the value of silver will typically increase significantly.


The value of gold and other precious metals usually coincides with other significant economic fluctuations. After the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, gold prices soared. Again, after the Brexit vote, we saw a boom in gold values.


The COVID-19 pandemic offered a similar boom. Even if you're selling a luxury watch that is aesthetically unstylish, the raw materials market could bring you fast money.


Other Household Items You Can Sell for Cash


Engagement rings, silverware, diamonds, and more have a high resale value right now. Contrary to popular belief, holding onto valuables will not increase the value.


Other than collectors' items, which fluctuate enormously and unpredictably, it can take upwards of 30 years for your items to increase in value. Precious gemstones and metals can hold value, but the likelihood of a significant increase is nominal.


Secondhand items and metals are further dependent on fashion and style trends and industry developments. It can often cost more to keep these items at home.

Without the proper storage, maintenance, and cleaning, your items will likely decline in value. Selling a luxury watch will bring real cash value today.


Choose the Right Buyer


When selling your items in exchange for cash, ensuring you're working with the right buyer is essential. Gold and silver scams are on the rise.


One buyer in Tennessee had countless customers walk through their door with worthless fake jewelry pieces. Make sure you don't buy cheaper gold items, thinking you'll get a great resale value. You probably won't.


If someone approaches you in a parking lot, gas station, or just about anywhere else claiming to be down on their luck, selling gold and silver items for way below market price, walk away. You can also call the police to ensure these scammers don't hurt anyone else with their fake items.


As the price of gold and silver are soaring, many criminals are trying to get in on the market with fake items. Similarly, not all the pawnshops and jewelers you meet will be reputable.


When choosing the best team to sell your luxury items for cash, find someone with a high reputation. After receiving your cash offer, the right buyers will match any price.


Find Out How Much Cash You Can Get Today!


Selling your Rolex or selling your luxury watches for cash can be daunting, but not with American Gold & Diamond Buyers. When it comes to selling your Rolex, your value might be anywhere from $6,000 to $500,000 or more.


Get in touch with us to receive your quote today! We will pay you cash for silver, platinum, gold, diamonds, gems, and more. Even if your item is broken, we'll guarantee the best cash value.

If you have any questions, we'll be able to answer them all. Selling a Rolex has never been easier than with us.

get your cash offer

Comments


Diamond Ring

FIND OUT HOW MUCH YOUR VALUABLES ARE WORTH

bottom of page