Rolex prices

I am sure I don't have to tell you that Rolex watches don't come cheap. But you know the adage - "you get what you pay for." And when you pay for a Rolex you get a superbly crafted, high-quality timepiece that will keep ticking with an amazing precision for years to come. (I solemnly swear that I do not work for Montres Rolex SA nor am I watchseller ... I just adore these watches)

Prices, of course, vary depending on where you buy the watch (I am talking about reputable dealers only, not back-alley peddlers), and whether you purchase a brand new model, or a pre-owned one.

If you go to a high street jewelry shop you can expect to pay anywhere between £ 2100 (appoximately US$4,000 at current exchange rates) for the Air-King (one of Rolex's more inexpensive models) and well over £ 10,000 (US$19,000) for platinum or gold watches. And don't think you can get a better deal in Switzerland. I recently saw several models in a store window in Geneva (Rolex's hometown) for the equivalent of £ 9,500 (US$18,000).

That doesn't mean that you can't find a good deal, especially on pre-owned Rolex models. As I mentioned in one of my previous posts, used Rolex watches, when purchased from a reliable source, are a great value.

If you look online, for example, you can find a pre-owned GMT Master II in Rolesor selling currently for on eBay for £ 2,500 (US$4,500), or a 18-carat yellow gold Lady DateJust for £ 1,800 (US$3,400). So if you shop around chances are you will find a reasonably priced model.

Whenever purchasing a Rolex, whether online or off, always ask for a certificate of authenticity, warranty, and serial numbers. That is the only way to be absolutely sure you are buying a genuine Rolex, and not a fake.

Keep in mind, too, that while prices may vary depending on the model and the number of years it had been in use, there is no such thing as a "bargain." You can get a good deal and a great value, but a "bargain Rolex" is an oxymoron.

Believe it or not, many watch enthusiasts don't mind at all spending a fortune on a Rolex watch because they see it as a mythical timepiece of eternal beauty. As my illustrious countryman, John Keats, so aptly put it, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever; its loveliness increases; it will never pass into nothingness."