Which Rolex is a good investment between 7,000 and 10,000 euros?

Recently, a client asked me how he could invest €7,000 to €10,000 in a Rolex as an investment. Since this topic is of interest to many watch enthusiasts, I'd like to share my personal opinion here.
Important: This is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any valuables. I am simply sharing my personal opinion and experience in the watch trade. Everyone should make their own purchasing decisions based on their own research.

Why is Rolex a good investment?

Rolex watches are not only a symbol of luxury, but also one of the most stable investments in the luxury watch sector. High demand, limited production capacities, and the continuous appreciation of many models make them an attractive investment. Important factors that influence value:

• Popularity and rarity of a model
• Condition and completeness (original box and papers)
• Material and reference number
• Market development and demand

The best Rolex models between 7,000 and 10,000 euros

The most popular models in this price range include:

• Rolex Explorer I
• Rolex Datejust 36
• Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41
• Rolex Air King
• Rolex Submariner

While all of these models have potential, there is a clear favorite from an investment perspective: the Rolex Submariner with Date . This model has proven itself particularly popular over decades due to strong demand . From personal experience, this model has consistently been preferred, leading to a proven investment strategy:
strong demand + low supply = rising prices .

The best choice: Submariner with date – but which year?

Since we've set a budget of between €7,000 and €10,000, models from the 1990s and 2000s are particularly suitable. This raises the question of which decade is the better choice. We opted for the Submariner with a date from the 1990s , but only for models produced up until 1997. The reason: These were still available with tritium dials .

Rolex Submariner Date, Ref. 16610 with the tritium dial from the 1990s (produced until 1997)

Why tritium dials?

Tritium was used as a luminous material for watch dials until it was replaced by Superluminova in the late 1990s. Tritium dials have a special property: Over time, the luminous material yellows , giving them a unique vintage character. It is precisely this aged look that makes these watches particularly desirable among collectors and can lead to long-term appreciation in value.

Rolex Submariner Date, Ref. 16610 with the SuperLuminova dial from 1997.

Conclusion

The pre-1997 Rolex Submariner with Date is one of the best options in our price range. Its combination of classic design, high demand, and rare tritium dial makes it a particularly attractive investment.

👉 Here you can see my already sold Submariner models and submit a search request.

👉 If you are looking for a specific watch, you can create a search request here.

Note: I am not a financial advisor and do not offer any investment recommendations. This article is based on my experience in the watch trade and represents my personal opinion only.