There are three ways to buy a Rolex in Sydney: new from an official Rolex retailer, Rolex Certified Pre-Owned through the same retailers, or pre-owned from an independent dealer. Each one suits a different buyer. Here is how they compare, from a dealer who buys and sells Rolex every week.
Where can you buy a Rolex in Sydney?
Official Rolex retailers sell new watches at Rolex's retail price, with Rolex's five-year international guarantee. Rolex Certified Pre-Owned is Rolex's own pre-owned programme, sold through official retailers. Independent pre-owned dealers like us buy watches from the public and sell them on, including models that are no longer made.
Why is it hard to buy a new Rolex at retail?
Because demand for the popular models is far greater than supply. Steel sports models such as the Submariner, GMT-Master II and Daytona are allocated by official retailers rather than simply sold to whoever walks in, and many buyers are put on a waiting list with no fixed date. If the watch you want is one of those, buying new can take a long time.
Less in-demand models, such as many Datejust and Oyster Perpetual configurations, are often easier to get.
What is Rolex Certified Pre-Owned?
It is Rolex's official pre-owned programme. Official retailers sell second hand Rolex watches that are at least three years old, checked and certified by Rolex standards, with a certificate of authenticity and a new two-year international guarantee. It is available in Australia through official Rolex retailers.
The upside is a guarantee issued by Rolex itself. The trade-off is that you choose from whatever certified stock the retailer has, and prices reflect that.
What does an independent pre-owned dealer offer?
Choice and speed. A pre-owned dealer can sell you a watch today that might mean a long wait at retail, and can offer references Rolex no longer makes, from discontinued sports models to vintage Datejusts and Day-Dates.
At The Watch Business:
- Every Rolex is checked and authenticated by the Horologist in the Dymocks Building before it goes on sale
- Every watch comes with a 12 month mechanical warranty covering the movement, and where a watch is still inside Rolex's own warranty, the listing shows how long is left
- You can view any watch in person before you buy, by appointment
- Finance is available to approved Australian buyers on any watch in our stock
- We take trade-ins, and you can combine a trade-in with finance
- Not in Sydney? We ship Australia-wide, secured and fully insured, at our cost, and can show you the watch first on a live video call
Is a pre-owned Rolex cheaper than a new one?
Not always. It depends on the model. Watches in heavy demand, especially steel sports models, often sell pre-owned for more than their retail price, because the pre-owned buyer is paying to skip the wait. Many other references sell for less than retail. Vintage pieces are priced on their own terms: condition, originality and rarity.
How much does a pre-owned Rolex cost in Sydney?
At our showroom, pre-owned Rolex typically start around AU$6,500 for vintage Oyster Perpetual and Air-King models. Most sit between AU$9,000 and AU$25,000, covering Datejust, Explorer, Sea-Dweller, GMT-Master II and Submariner references. Gold and precious-metal pieces go well beyond that.
See our current pre-owned Rolex stock
What should you check before buying a pre-owned Rolex?
- The papers and warranty card. A card proves where and when the watch was first sold. Check that the details on it match the watch.
- Original parts. Aftermarket dials, bezels or diamonds reduce value and are not always disclosed.
- The case. Sharp, unpolished lugs are worth more than a case that has been polished soft.
- Service history. Ask when the watch was last serviced and by whom.
- The bracelet. Older bracelets stretch. It affects how the watch wears and what it is worth.
- The seller. Buy from someone you can visit and inspect the watch with. Most problems with pre-owned Rolex are easy to spot in person and hard to spot in photos.
Which Rolex should you buy first?
For most first-time buyers, a Datejust in 36mm or 41mm is the most versatile Rolex there is: it works with a suit and on a weekend. An Oyster Perpetual is the simplest and usually the most affordable modern Rolex. If you want a sports watch, the Submariner and GMT-Master II are the classics. If you are deciding between Submariners, our Submariner buyer's guide goes through every generation.
Where can you buy a pre-owned Rolex in Sydney?
At The Watch Business, Suite 7, Level 9, Dymocks Building, 428 George Street, Sydney CBD. Viewing is by appointment, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm.
Call 0423 778 091 to book a time and tell us which watches you want to see. We will have them ready. Finance is available to approved Australian buyers, and we take trade-ins.