Rolex op configurator

CORDER’S COLUMN: Rolex roulette

Rolex doesn’t do limited editions but it does contribute to scarcity. By betting on a watch that is discontinued in the near future, the value of your collection will soar.

Rob corder avatar
Rob Corder.

Rolex does not do limited editions.

Why bother when almost every men’s professional model is unattainable?

However, a couple of stories from Watches & Wonders demonstrated that, even for a brand where nearly all watches are scarce or “exhibition only” at retail, even more acute shortages are being engineered.

Rolex Limited Editions

First was the launch of an Oystersteel GMT Master II in a highly desirable black and green dial and bezel, but flipped — no pun intended — for left-handers.

It is not limited, a Rolex official said, but quantities would “naturally” be low.

A limited edition in all but name, and designed as a future auction darling because so few will come to market.

Rolex gmt master ii green and black
Rolex GMT Master II for lefties.

Discontinued Oyster Perpetuals

Then there is also the discontinuing of several Oyster Perpetual references.

Launched less than two years’ ago in September, 2020, Rolex created over 30 different references by making the OP in four case sizes and the choice of nine dial colours.

Not every colour was made in every size, but there was a huge choice.

I did some number crunching on which colours and sizes were the proving to be the most popular by recording the prices they were on offer at on the secondary market in the summer of 2021.

Ultimate guide to buying, selling and collecting the Rolex Oyster Perpetual

That research revealed that the powder blue model was by far the hottest, with 31mm, 36mm and 41mm references being offered for up to three times their retail price.

The 41mm version was being marketed with the highest price: around £13,000 for a watch tagged at £4,700 at an authorised dealer.

The price remained around that level for the whole of 2021, before news started to circulate that the reference was no longer being made or sold.

Rolex never announced that it was discontinuing this powder blue OP, but people noticed it had disappeared from Rolex.com and prices went stratospheric.

From an average of £13,000 in 2021, the watch is now being offered, on average, for over £36,000.

You read that right. Thirty six thousand pounds; nearly eight times retail, and rising.

Rolex op

Rolex confirmed to WATCHPRO this week that it has discontinued all sizes of the Oyster Perpetual with yellow and coral red dial.

It has also officially nixed the candy pink dial in the 31mm case.

The only common feature to these discontinuations seems to be that they were among the most popular models of 2021, judging by the prices on the secondary market last summer.

Having removed them from the Rolex catalogue, yellow and coral models are, predictably, selling at stratospheric mark-ups this year.

Rolex roulette

It is like the ultimate game of roulette. Pick the right colour Oyster Perpetual and you could double or treble your money.

Or rue the day you choose a reference that is made in the tens of thousands every year for decades and barely delivers a return.

One last thing

In case you had not noticed, Rolex discontinued its entire Cellini range of dress watches earlier this year with the exception of the 39mm moonphase model in 18ct Everose gold.

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