Watch Collecting 101: 5 Iconic Rolex Timepieces You Should Know

When you think of luxury watches, the first thing that probably comes in your mind is the famous Swiss brand Rolex. Who would ever forget its iconic crown sign and its brand recognition of being one of the best, if not the best, luxury watches? You also see it everywhere on TV: popular personalities, people of influence, and the rich and famous all have their Rolex watch. It has even become a cultural icon. James Bond is known for wearing Rolex watches. People will immediately hold anyone who wears a Rolex watch in high regard. Wearing a Rolex watch will make you stand out from the rest. If you are thinking of celebrating a milestone by getting one, you may start by acquainting yourself with the Rolex models to look out for, and here they are.

1. Cosmograph Daytona

This breathtaking timepiece is one of the fifteen most expensive Rolex watches. Rolex introduced this elegant piece in 1963. This watch is released in celebration of the emerging and competitive professional race car driving. This high-performance sport has gained much popularity from the public that the Cosmograph Daytona became widely recognized among famous movie stars. Because of which, the public admired this beautiful timepiece.

If there is a timepiece that will best define a luxurious sports watch, it might just be the Cosmograph Daytona. This priceless timepiece also became an icon because of its dial that everyone celebrated. Even other watch brands replicated this model. Being true to its sports watch brand, Cosmograph Daytona guarantees a waterproof timepiece up to 100 meters or 330 feet.

2. Submariner 116610

If you are into collecting Rolex watches, you should start into something that you can easily afford among the other models. This watch is the

Submariner 116610. Rolex fans and the public at large still love this piece even when Rolex released the Daytona pieces. If you are looking for something iconically Rolex, this must be it. Luxury watch connoisseurs say that among other popular Rolex watch collections, the Submariner 116610 remains to be the icon of what a Rolex watch is. Among all models, this piece is more affordable.

3. Rolex Oyster triple-calendar chronograph 6236 or the “Jean-Claude Killy”

Are you looking for vintage Rolex pieces? Here you have it. This fine stainless-steel luxury watch that offers a three-calendar model is to die for. Rolex nicknamed the Oyster triple-calendar chronograph 6236 as the “Jean-Claude Killy”. This name is taken after the Olympic skiing legend from France. This piece immediately became the Rolex collector’s favorite.

Rolex manufactured this beautiful piece between 1958 and 1964. They did not make much of this watch. That is why avid collectors go crazy over getting a hold of one. This piece offers a three-part Oyster case. Its brilliance is from its stainless steel, pink and yellow gold finish. This becomes Rolex’s last reference that combines a triple calendar and Rolex’s chronograph. This makes it all the more complicated and therefore, sought by many collectors.

4. Rolex Day-Date, Ref. 1803

If you want a blindingly glamorous and utterly royal Rolex piece, this vintage piece will be your best bet. Rolex released their fine 18k gold wristwatch in 1955. This immediately became one of Rolex’s most prestigious watches. One can find this piece in possession of celebrities, sportsmen, and even presidents. It has bright yellow-colored “Stella” dials that just add up to its brilliance.

“Stella” dials were special because you can never see two dials that are the same. This is because the colors of each dial are mixed not by machines, but by hand. They also apply the color layer after layer.

5. Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona

To end this list, it is just right to end it with the most expensive Rolex watch ever sold. This must be Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona. Aside from being the most expensive Rolex sold, it is also the titleholder of the most expensive watch that is ever sold in the world. A Patek Philippe timepiece from 1943 holds the previous record with its perpetual calendar chronograph. This Patek Philippe timepiece sold for $11 million in 2016.

From $1 million, the bid for Paul Newman’s Daytona raised to $10 million by the first bidder, alone. There are only two bidders who fought for the said watch until it was settled at the price of $17.8 million.

Now, what is so special about this watch? It is special not from its finish, chronograph nor the materials it is built with. What the collectors fought for about this watch is its story.

Choose only from the best

Here are just some of the renowned Rolex watches that you should know in case you are thinking of becoming a collector. There are a lot more iconic Rolex watches that you can learn about. If you are thinking of purchasing your first Rolex watch, make sure to buy from a store that guarantees its authenticity, like watchshopping.com.