Learn How to Sell Your Used Rolex Watch the Smart Way
If you want to know how to sell a Rolex watch for the highest possible cash offer, Diamond Estate Jewelry Buyers can help. We are widely recognized as one of the best places in the country to sell vintage and limited-edition Rolex watches.
Thanks to our exclusive network of private Rolex buyers and collectors, we are able to regularly pay our clients not only more cash than any other watch buyer, but also more than they would have obtained by selling their Rolex through an online watch auction.
We are currently making exceptionally high offers for vintage Rolex sports models, such as the Submariner, GMT-Master, and Daytona, with clients sometimes receiving thousands of dollars more than they paid originally for their timepiece.
Recently Bought by Diamond Estate
Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610T
Rolex Daytona Ref. 116509
Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675
Rolex Yacht-Master Ref. 116681
Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 16750
Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570
You can rely on Diamond Estate to freely share with you all of our expert knowledge, so that you can make the best educated decision about how to sell your Rolex watch.
I inherited a vintage Rolex. About 40 years old. Though I didn’t have the original paperwork or box, DEJB were open and interested in working with me. Paula Dabney was EASY, accommodating, read more knowledgeable and comforting during the process. The initial price she quoted me was the price we ultimately agreed on after inspection. The process was quick and efficient and any concerns or questions I had were answered promptly all along the way. I’d recommend checking out these folks if you’re interested in selling watches and jewelry.
Brian C.
Yelp
Paula was so great to work with! Very professional, and they offered the best price for my Rolex GMT II (over 2 other watch companies that buy used time pieces). No bait and switch read more here—take good photos of what you are selling and give them as much detail as you can so they can offer you the correct amount to start with. No surprises. They paid exactly what I was offered. Great experience. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend their services to anyone. Thank you!
Kyle N.
Google
I had never sold anything online before, so was a little nervous about selling my Rolex. Based on Yelp reviews, I visited DEJB’s website and was pretty impressed. Worked with Paula read more to text some pics and got an estimate within hours. I got estimates from three other places and DEJB was right in line with two others, but was a touch higher. Based on the great customer service, I went with DEJB. Once I said I was in, Paula got me the prepaid, secure, insured shipping information within hours. Once received, they let me know my Rolex was as described and wired the full amount immediately. What else can I say? Fast, secure, friendly, fair – what more can you ask?
Scott E.
Yelp
After reading many of the reviews about Diamond Estate on the internet, I decided to take the plunge and contact them about a vintage Rolex watch that belonged to my father and had read more been tucked away for about 40 years. They responded immediately and walked me through a very simple process to evaluate the watch and arrive at a fair price. The entire transaction was very positive, and I am really glad I discovered this company. I would definitely recommend them and will certainly do business with them in the future if I have any other items of value to sell.
Eileen D.
Yelp
Diamond Estate Jewelry Buyers are good as it gets. Alex is a true professional who understands the importance of attention to detail. I was hesitant at first to sell my Rolex to a business read more where I would have to ship my valuable time piece in advance of payment, but Alex reassured me of the process and offered excellent communication STEP BY STEP. Carl exceeded my expectations in standing by their initial appraisal and I simply could not be happier with the entire process timeline (48hrs start to finish). If I could give them 6 stars instead of 5 I would.
Roland C.
Yelp
Absolutely seamless sale of a two tone Rolex Submariner. The buy bid was honored, no changing of bid after receiving the watch. As far as I am concerned this is the only place to sell read more your jewelry and watches. Paula was super professional and easy to do business with. I was a little apprehensive, but after reading all of the reviews, I felt confident, and so should you.
Richard L.
Yelp
How to Sell a Rolex in 4 Quick Steps
Diamond Estate’s watch buyers buy previously-owned Rolex watches from clients nationwide via our local buying offices and insured Sell From Home service.
Here is a quick review of our simple and secure process that can get you more money for your valuable Rolex watch, no matter where you live in the United States.
1. Call, Text, or Email Us About Your Rolex
Click on Sell button below, and tell us about your Rolex watch, including whether you have the original box and papers.
2. Receive a Preliminary Quote on Your Rolex
One of our Rolex buyers will contact you within 24 hours (weekdays) to provide you with a free consultation and preliminary cash offer for your Rolex.
3. Send or Bring in Your Rolex for a Final Offer
We will arrange for a complete market appraisal of your used Rolex at one of our offices and make a final cash offer.
4. Accept Our Cash Offer & Get Paid within 24 Hours
If you accept our final cash offer, we will issue payment immediately if your Rolex was brought into one of our offices, or within 24 hours if the Rolex was shipped to us. Should you decide not to sell your Rolex to us, simply accept the appraisal as our free gift.
1) Can I sell my Rolex watch if it contains non-Rolex parts?
Watch buyers place a much higher value on a Rolex watch that has all of its original Rolex parts. It’s important that all Rolex owners ensure that authentic Rolex replacement parts are used when having their Rolex watch serviced, because non-Rolex parts will significantly lower the timepiece’s value. That being said, depending on what has been replaced, you may be able to get a good price when selling your used Rolex.
The best thing to do is to take advantage of Diamond Estate Jewelry Buyer’s free verbal Rolex appraisal to discover how much your timepiece is worth to our Rolex buyers.
2) Does the original sales material increase the cash offer when selling a used Rolex watch?
Absolutely. As you may know, there is probably no timepiece more often copied than a Rolex. There a literally hundreds of thousands of counterfeit Rolex watches in circulation. This can make it more difficult to sell a used Rolex watch without the original box and papers.
While a professional Rolex buyer can authenticate your Rolex watch without such items, they may find it more difficult to resell your watch to another customer. So, to get the best possible price when selling your Rolex, do include all and any original sales materials than came with your purchase.
3) Should I refurbish the dial before selling my Rolex watch?
The answer is no. You probably have seen TV shows where a person selling a valuable vintage or antique item is told they never should have refurbished their item because collectors prefer the original untouched finish, regardless of its state. The same goes for Rolex watches. Even if the dial on your used Rolex does not look like new, you do not want to have it refurbished.
4) Does the state of the band affect the price when selling a Rolex?
Yes it does. Selling a used Rolex with a tight (like new) original band will bring you a higher cash offer than if the band is loose and older looking.
5) Can I sell a used Rolex watch even if it is not working?
Yes, you can. This may be surprising but you can often sell a Rolex watch that is not working for a price that is not far below the price of a used Rolex in working condition. The reason for this is that professional Rolex buyers can ordinarily have a Rolex that is not working repaired for a reasonable price.
6) Will I get close to the retail price when selling my Rolex?
It all depends on the Rolex model that you wish to sell, and the year in which it was bought. There are certain vintage Rolex sports watches (such as the Submariner, GMT-Master, and Daytona) that we currently are purchasing for thousands of dollars more than their original retail price — due to high demand and limited availability
However, there are many Rolex models that do not hold their value as strongly — and while you still can expect a substantial cash offer for your timepiece, it is unlikely that it will be close to the retail price. Just as when a car driven off a lot immediately depreciates in value some 20-30%, many Rolex watches immediately depreciate in value once it has been bought.
The best way to find out how much your Rolex has increased or depreciated in value is to contact Diamond Estate today for a free valuation.
7) How safe is it to sell my Rolex watch online?
Selling a Rolex online to Diamond Estate Jewelry Buyers is highly secure and involves no risk whatsoever. We provide you with free FedEx Overnight shipping and your Rolex watch will be insured to its maximum value by Parcel Pro, a UPS Capital company that specializes in high-value goods.
If you decline our final cash offer for any reason, we will be happy to ship your Rolex back to you at our expense. For more information about selling a used Rolex watch online to our watch buyers, please click on the following link: Sell My Watch Online.
If you decide that you would like to try to sell your Rolex online at eBay, there are a few things you can do to protect yourself: a) Sell your Rolex watch only to a buyer who lives in the United States. b) Take a photo of your Rolex that shows the serial number to help prevent return fraud. c) Don’t use a PayPal account that is linked to a bank account with a large balance.
8) How can I tell if my used Rolex watch is fake?
It’s always upsetting to discover that you’ve unwittingly purchased a fake Rolex watch. But due to the prevalence of fake Rolex watches, it is a situation that sometimes occurs. Here are a few quick indicators of a fake Rolex watch:
a) A Rolex watch with a skeleton dial (a dial that displays the moving parts of the watch).
b) A Rolex that says that it was made in China.
c) A Rolex watch with a see-through glass case back.
d) A Rolex Oyster Perpetual that does NOT have a screwed-back case.
Get a Free Rolex Watch Appraisal – Contact Our Rolex Buyers
The Paul Newman Daytona (Reference numbers 6239, 6262, 6263, 6265)
Diamond Estate specializes in helping clients sell a Rolex Daytona, providing an efficient and secure way for you to get a high cash price without dealing with the uncertainty and high cash fees of a traditional auction house or watch auction website.
We purchase all models of the Rolex Daytona, including the 3rd series which was introduced in 2000 with Reference 116520, the 2nd series which was introduced in 1988 with Reference 16520, and the 1st series “Paul Newman” Daytona, introduced in 1963.
In the world of collectible vintage watches, there is a special place for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona known as the “Paul Newman.” And by special, we mean completely unique and without parallel. The “Paul Newman” Daytona is a classic, a must have for the serious collector. Some even call it a “holy grail” watch.
No other vintage timepiece has quite the mystique, history, and allure as the legendary “Paul Newman” Daytona. And no other watch has been as widely impersonated. By some estimates, there are more counterfeit Paul Newman Daytonas on the market than there are genuine ones.
The Rolex Cosmograph Ref. 6239 was released in 1963 with the name “Le Mans”.
The Rolex Cosmograph reference 6239 was originally released in 1963. But it was not immediately referred to as the Daytona. In fact, for a brief time the name “Le Mans” was used in some advertising. Rolex finally settled on the legendary Daytona name, and by 1965, the word Daytona finally appeared on the dial. That was also the first year the watch was offered with a so-called “exotic” dial, which brings us to the “Paul Newman” Daytona.
What could possibly make one stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6239 with a black dial worth well over three times another reference 6239 with a black dial? Mechanically identical, the two watches vary in only one way: one a “Paul Newman” of course. But it wouldn’t become known as that until the early 1980s when a certain race car driving celebrity was photographed wearing one, and his name became forever associated with the iconic timepiece.
What Makes it a “Paul Newman” Daytona?
The difference that makes a “Paul Newman” so legendary, and so much more valuable than any other Daytona, is that so-called “exotic” dial. Simply put, the distinguishing registers on the “Paul Newman” feature hash marks that have a small square at the tip of the indices, and an art deco style font for the numbers.
The original “Paul Newman” featured hash marks with a square at the tip and and art deco numbers.
The other distinguishing feature is the prominent minute tracker around the edge of the dial — on the Paul Newman the tracker is a different color from the rest of the dial. And that’s pretty much it. How could such small differences in detail lead to such a great difference in value? Perhaps that very question is part of the allure of the watch itself.
When Rolex first offered the “exotic” dials, they weren’t immediately well received. Typical Rolex buyers favored the more traditional look of the standard dials, and many of the original “exotic dial” Daytonas sat on retailer’s shelves, often for many years. Occasionally a Paul Newman Daytona will come on the market with an original sales receipt that is many years later than the production date of the watch, only adding to the mythology of the watch.
Because the original “exotic dial” Daytonas were not flying off the shelves, Rolex simply didn’t make as many of them. By some estimates Rolex only made one “exotic dial” Daytona for every twenty with a standard dial. So the supply was low, but so was the demand, until those exotic dials were associated with that certain race car driving celebrity.
The Most Sought-After Vintage Rolex
Exactly how the “exotic dial” Daytona became associated with Paul Newman is an area of some mystery as well. One often repeated story is that Mr. Newman appeared on the cover of an Italian magazine wearing his ref. 6239 “exotic dial” Daytona in the 1980s, and that somehow it was decided by the influential Italian watch collector and dealer cognoscenti that the “exotic dial” would be the “must have” watch of the era. And so it was.
Eventually those not-so-popular models that languished at the Rolex dealers became the most sought after vintage watch of all time. In the period between between 1998 and 2008, the price of a ref. 6239 white dial “Paul Newman” Daytona rose in price from near $20,000 to just under $80,000.
Only with very careful, professional scrutiny can a genuine Paul Newman Daytona be distinguished from some of the better fakes.
Due in part to how expensive they have become and to the fact that the only real difference between a “Paul Newman” and a standard Daytona is the dial, the “Paul Newman” is decidedly the most counterfeited watch in the world. All the classic, hand-wound Daytonas feature a variation of the venerable Valjoux Caliber 72. As this caliber was produced for a great many watches, their price and availability make it relatively easy for a counterfeiter to cobble together a fake “Paul Newman” from various individual components.
Because it was the dials that were the only real difference, the temptation is often great to fit a “Paul Newman” dial from a watch with a highly polished (less valuable) case to a mint condition case with a non Paul Newman dial. The difference? Potentially $75,000 or more, which makes buying a Paul Newman Daytona a potentially dangerous proposition. Only with very careful, professional scrutiny can a genuine Paul Newman be distinguished from some of the better fakes.
At Diamond Estate we are experts at identifying genuine Paul Newman Daytonas from replicas, as well as providing accurate appraisals of the resale value of all vintage Rolex timepieces.
Sell your vintage Rolex Daytona confidently for the best possible cash price by contacting us today.
Sell My Daytona: The Original “Paul Newman” (Ref. 6239)
The ref. 6239 is the earliest, most common, and least expensive of the “exotic dial” Daytonas — the first “Paul Newman.” This watch is also considered the most “authentic,” as it is the actual reference worn by the man himself. The 6239 features a steel bezel with pump pushers, and the Rolex Valjoux 722 caliber, but it differs from the standard 6239 Daytona in a few ways.
The original Rolex Daytona that Paul Newman wore was the white dial version of the famous watch.
The exotic dial features a small step in the register, the outer track running around the edge of the dial matches the subdials, and the sub-dials have cross-hairs meeting at the center, with block markers instead of lines.
Also, the seconds sub-dial at the 9 o’clock position is marked at 15, 30, 45, and 60 instead of 20, 40, and 60 as in the standard models. The dial was produced in either white or black, (the one Paul Newman owned was a white dial version), with the seconds hash marks on the dial in red. The word “Daytona” is featured just above the register at the 6 o’clock position.
Production on this reference began in the mid 1960’s and continued into the early 70s.
Sell My Vintage Rolex Daytona (Ref. 6262)
The Daytona reference 6262 is often referred to as a “transitional” reference for the Paul Newman Daytonas, and was only produced for one year, from 1970 to 1971. The 6262 looks almost identical to the 6239, but features a new caliber inside — the Valjoux 727. The earlier 722 caliber found in the 6239 beats at 18,000 vibrations per hour, but the upgraded 727 is sped up to 21,600 beats per hour.
Like the 6239, the 6262 has pump pushers, a steel bezel, and a tri-colored dial (though some were made with only two colors). Even though the 6262 is a very rare reference, it doesn’t command a correspondingly high premium as it looks so much like the 6239.
Sell an Oyster Paul Newman Daytona
The last two references of the manually wound “Paul Newman” Daytonas appeared around 1970. These are the “Oyster” Paul Newmans, and are considered the “kings” of the Paul Newman Daytonas. As the direct descendents of the ‘transitional’ 6262, the Oyster Paul Newmans feature the improved Valjoux 727 caliber, but now inside Rolex’s famous Oyster case. The new case is just a bit thicker and beefier, and gives these watches a slightly larger look.
Sell a Rolex Daytona Oyster (Ref. 6265)
The reference 6265 features the Oyster case with a graduated stainless steel bezel and screw down, waterproof pushers. Instead of a three color dial, the 6265 features the now iconic two colored “Panda” style dial in black with white subdials or white with black subdials.
Further setting this watch apart is the fact that the word “Daytona” does not appear above six o’clock. Complicating things just a bit is the fact that the 6265 with a black dial is not signed “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph.” The only black dial 6265 with screw down pushers will be signed “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster,” and they are extremely rare.
Sell a Rolex Daytona Oyster (Ref. 6263)
The Rolex Cosmograph Oyster Reference 6263 with the “Panda” dial is by far the most coveted, sought after, and expensive of the standard Paul Newman Daytonas. The 6263 is technically the same as the 6265, with its Valjoux 727 caliber in an Oyster case with screw down pushers, but the bezel is in black acrylic, accentuating the contrast with the black and white “Panda” dial.
Similar to the 6265, there is no black dial 6263 signed “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph,” and only perhaps twenty that are signed “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster.” A black dial 6263 with the “RCO” signature was sold at auction by Christie’s in 2013, at a hammer price of $1,089,186. So tremendous is the cache surrounding the Oyster Paul Newman that a 6263 Paul Newman in good condition is easily worth over $200,000, whereas a non-Paul Newman 6263 might be worth about $40,000 in mint condition.
At Diamond Estate we look forward to hearing from you, and earning our reputation as the best place to sell a Rolex watch.
It wasn’t until the Lady Datejust was introduced in the late 1950s that Rolex began to focus on watches for women. Luckily, there are not only more Rolex’s for women to choose from today, but modern standards have relaxed to the point that some women are making bold fashion statements by wearing classic Rolex men’s watches.
If you would like to sell a used Rolex (Ladies), you can count on Diamond Estate to provide you with the highest possible price, while explaining exactly how we arrived at our best cash offer. See below some of the models that we regularly purchase from our clients nationwide.
Sell a Rolex Lady Datejust 26
A Rolex Ladies Diamond Datejust Recently Purchased By Diamond Estate
The Lady Datejust is probably the most iconic women’s watch of all time. When first introduced, the Lady Datejust was simply a smaller cousin to the popular Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust. But is now available in a range of materials and colors to accommodate any woman’s fancy.
Like its predecessor, the Lady Datejust features the waterproof Oyster case and the self-winding Perpetual mechanism, as well as Rolex’s famous Cyclops eye over the date indication — a magnification that increases the legibility of the date by two and a half times.
The Rolex manufactured calibre 2235 provides center hour, minute, and second hand functions, with instantaneous date setting and stop seconds for precise time setting.
The Lady Datejust features the waterproof Oyster case and the self-winding Perpetual mechanism, as well as Rolex’s famous Cyclops eye over the date indication.
The Lady Datejust can be constructed in steel, steel and white gold, or steel and yellow gold, with either a domed or fluted bezel. The dials are available in black, white, pink, chocolate, and steel, as well as meteorite and mother of pearl. Add to these combinations a wide variety of bracelets and gemstone options, and it’s possible to create a range of looks that relate femininity and sophistication — a myriad of options to suit femininity in all its diversity.
One recently popular option in the Lady Datejust 26 is the combination of steel and Everose gold case paired with a domed bezel and a richly brown chocolate-colored dial. The dial features Roman numerals in Everose gold, with the oversized VI set with eleven perfectly matched diamonds.
A Jubilee bracelet compliments the case with its five piece links of steel and Everose Rolesor, a Rolex made combination of 904L steel and 18 carat Everose gold. The deep chocolate dial with understated diamonds against the Everose bezel creates a look at once warm and lush, while remaining elegant and sophisticated.
Sell a used Rolex Datejust quickly and securely with Diamond Estate. Simply provide us with a few details, and our Rolex watch appraisers will reply to you soon with a preliminary appraisal.
A Rolex Pearlmaster With Diamonds Recently Bought By Diamond Estate
Though a full 3mm larger than the classic 26 mm Lady Datejust, the Rolex Pearlmaster 29 is still small enough to look elegant and stylish on a woman’s wrist. With softly curving lines and multiple diamond setting options, the Pearlmaster is available in 18K white, yellow, or Rolex’s own in-house foundry made Everose gold.
The dial is also available in a wide array of options, from a silver jubilee pattern to a flawless, iridescent mother-of -pearl. The gemstones at each numeral on the face are meticulously aligned in height, orientation, and position to enhance the fine finish of the dial, and the bezel boasts 32 diamonds on some models.
One available option that really sets this watch apart is the diamond-set Pearlmaster bracelet. Made up of five piece rounded links in solid gold, the fluid appearance is masterfully complemented by the fully concealed folding Crownclasp, where the clasp itself is hidden from view when closed.
Learn how much your Rolex Pearlmaster is worth by contacting our Rolex watch appraisers for a free evaluation.
Sell a Rolex Datejust 31
Another traditional offering for women from Rolex is the Datejust 31. Offered in many of the same configurations as the Lady Datejust 26, the slightly larger size of the Datejust 31 makes an even bigger statement.
One particularly popular model includes a diamond set bezel featuring 52 perfectly set stones around a champagne dial with floral motifs. The floral designs are produced by an exclusive electroforming technique that raises the design with exquisite precision. Add to this the classic Jubilee bracelet in Rolesor and Everose gold, and the effect is nothing short of stunning.
Celebrities often set trends, and a quick look at the red carpet shows that women are opting for ‘oversized’ watches. No longer bound by the small size of traditional watches like the Lady Datejust or the smaller Pearlmasters, women are increasingly seen wearing the much larger 40mm watches.
It is not uncommon to see Vintage Men’s Rolex Daytonas or Submariners gracing the wrists of stars like Jennifer Aniston, Sofia Vergara, and Portia de Rossi.
Sell a Rolex Daytona
A Rolex Daytona with Zenith Movement Recently Bought By Diamond Estate
First offered in the early 1960s, the Rolex Daytona has long been a favorite of collectors, thanks in part to its elegant style and precision, as well as its deep connection to automobile racing and the legendary Paul Newman.
Its features include a patented chronograph and tachymetric scale on the bezel, and three sub-dials allowing the calculation of elapsed time over a predetermined distance.
Originally produced with a 39mm case, the new Daytonas are offered only in 44mm case size, making a truly bold statement on a smaller wrist.
Sell a Rolex Submariner
Probably one of the most recognized watches in the world, the Rolex Submariner is no longer just for James Bond and his male fans. With its distinctive dial, large luminescent hour markers, rotatable Cerachrom bezel, and solid link Oyster bracelet, the ruggedly elegant watch is easily at home in the board room or diving the Great Barrier Reef. The robust and functional design is iconic, and has recently found its way onto the wrists of stars like Cameron Diaz and Sharon Stone.
Sell a Rolex Milgauss
A Pre-Owned Rolex Milgauss Recently Purchased By Diamond Estate
Another men’s Rolex becoming popular with women is the Milgauss. The instantly recognizable Milgauss was first built for scientists exposed to magnetic fields in their research, but lately this watch has become part of the growing trend in women’s fashion.
Reliably precise even when exposed to magnetic fields of 1000 gauss, the Milgauss features a 40mm case, distinctive dial, and steel Oyster bracelet. Recently worn by Jennifer Aniston, the Milgauss is simply the latest men’s Rolex adopted by women, and indicative of a trend that seems here to stay.
Discover why Diamond Estate is widely considered the best place to sell a Rolex watch. Contact us now for a free consultation.
Below you will find some of the most prominent official Rolex dealers. If you have the original receipt from the store in which bought your Rolex watch, this often can help you obtain a higher price when you sell a used Rolex watch.
Diamond Estate’s Rolex buyers make generous cash offers on all models of Rolex watches. Contact us to sell a Rolex President, Submariner, Yacht-Master, Datejust, Daytona, Pearl-Master, Commando, Thunderbird, Turn-o-graph, Masterpiece, Cellini, Oyster Perpetual, Day-Date, Airking, Explorer, GMT-Master, GMT-Master II, and more.
About Diamond Estate
Diamond Estate Jewelry Buyers is a leading fine jewelry buyer and watch buyer serving customers throughout the US. We've built our business on core values of integrity, honesty, and superior customer service. Are you looking to sell diamonds, rings, watches, earrings or other fine jewelry? Get in touch to get your no-obligation offer.