The constant tug-of-war between the limited availability and demand for certain Rolex models is no secret. With passing time more and more Rolex models have become increasingly harder to find and plenty of models now have a long ‘waiting list’. That’s right, Rolex & its waiting lists..
And it doesn’t end with days and weeks; perhaps you’ve to wait for years to buy your favourite Rolex watch. We won’t dig into the details of why and how. But we will surely give an overview of the unpleasant reality before we reveal the names of the Rolex models that have succumbed to this vicious cycle.
Harsh Reality Behind The Unavailability of Rolex Models
It wasn’t long ago when you could just walk in and buy a Rolex watch from a retail outlet. Now, you have waiting lists or you find it impossible to get the Rolex you want until and unless you have a good purchase history and are considered a worthy client.
The short explanation for this big problem is the basic principle of – ‘supply & demand’. What happens when the demand surpasses the availability? Well, that’s exactly what has happened with Rolex- long waiting lists. The demand for Rolex watches has significantly surged in recent years and their availability in retail shops has decreased, making them harder to find. As a result, the value of these Rolex watches has increased to a point where they sell for around 100% more than the retail price in the secondary market.
Hardest to get Rolex models
If you’re in the market for a Rolex watch, here are the models that are difficult to get. So, adapt your expectations and plan accordingly.
7 Rolex models with the longest waiting list:
1. Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Tiffany’ Dial, Ref: 124300
Rolex made quite a stir in the industry with its 2020 release of the Oyster Perpetual flaunting the famous ‘Tiffany’ dial. The eye-catching blue dial colour nicknamed Tiffany (due to its resemblance with Tiffany & Co’s brand colour) gained immediate popularity. The Rolex retailers received fewer pieces of this stunning model. So, it’s not hard to see why the watch has quickly built up a long waiting list around the world.
It is believed that the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 ‘Tiffany Dial’ Ref. 124300 has a waiting list of almost 2 years and more which is why many stores have closed their waiting list for this model.
2. Rolex Daytona Ref: 116500LN
The Daytona is an iconic chronograph whose scarcity arises from a combination of limited production and high demand. The stainless steel Daytona models, for instance, the Ref. 116500LN is highly sought-after with only 5-10 pieces given to the Rolex retailers for selling. Therefore, you can well understand the kind of demand this watch nurtures.
If we say a Rolex retailer receives 10 Daytona models a year (which is in the highest cases) and they have a waiting list of 100 people, the waiting list is 10 years! Sounds insane, isn’t it? But that’s not all. You have to be an absolute top client or have a long purchase history to own one of these legendary Rolex pieces.
3. Rolex Submariner Ref. 126610LN
It is needless to say how premium and popular the Rolex Submariner is. In fact, it is probably the most in-demand watch not just in the Rolex catalogue but the whole of the watch industry. The watch is available in numerous versions like steel, gold or steel & gold. But the one which is most difficult to get by far is the Ref. 126610LN.
The Rolex retailers receive around 10-30 pieces of the steel Submariner Ref. 126610LN in total and as the demand is sky-high, it results in long waiting lists. Other Submariner models that are hard to acquire include Ref. 126610LV & Ref. 124060.
Also Read:Is a Rolex Watch a Good Investment?
4. Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO
While it’s true that getting hold of any Rolex in steel is difficult. But after the Daytona Ref. 116500LN in steel, it is the GMT Master II 126710BLRO that is the most difficult to acquire. The iconic design and the ‘Pepsi’ bezel of Ref. 126710BLRO is what adds to its popularity. And the demand is so high for this model, that the waiting list seems never-ending.
A Rolex dealer receives around 20 pieces of the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO per year and the waiting list includes thousands. So, you can well calculate the waiting period.
5. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116506
The Daytona Ref. 116506 in platinum presents the luxury Swiss brand’s famous flagship model. But surprisingly it had a rough start. After Rolex released the watch in 2013 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Daytona, it remained cold for quite some time due to its hefty price tag. But around 2018-2020, the interest in this watch started picking up.
Today, the availability of this piece is so scarce that the retailers specifically request to receive this model. The most number of pieces a seller receives a year is 1-2 which will further decrease in the coming years. The Daytona Ref. 116506 has an extremely limited production and has become tremendously difficult to obtain in recent years.
6. Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 326934
The Rolex Sky-Dweller is a sophisticated timepiece renowned for its dual time zone display and annual calendar. But another thing that makes it so talked-about is its limited availability. The Sky-Dweller comprises the brand’s most complicated movements, which is why it is produced in a limited capacity. The waiting list for the Sky-Dweller 326934 is around 3-4 years.
Out of all the variations, the Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 326934 with blue dial is the most loved. You can expect to wait at least 2 years even if you have a cordial relationship with the seller.
7. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508
The Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508 with green dial and yellow gold body is one of the most stunning Rolex watches ever made. The watch gained its popularity after John Mayer, the entertainment industry’s most prominent collector showed off his Green Daytona in a show. It was after this that the popularity of the model surged.
Not that the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116508 has more demand that the Ref. 116500LN in steel. But its low production makes it difficult to acquire. The waiting time for this stunning green dial watch is estimated to be around 7 years with Rolex retailers receiving only 1-3 pieces annually.
What Now?
Of course, few Rolex watches are really difficult to obtain and have the longest waiting period. But it’s not that difficult if you’re willing to pay the market price for the timepieces. In general, the harder it is to get a Rolex depends on the stores selling them. This is because many limited production models are reserved for VIP customers and are not being sold to the waiting list.
However, the good part is that if you have a particular Rolex model in mind that you've been eyeing for a long time, we can help procure it for you. We source watches from all luxury watch brands with our efficient watch-sourcing service. Source Rolex for both men and women from us, and be confident you'll receive it shortly.
How can you avoid the waiting period?
Does a long waiting time mean you can never obtain your dream Rolex? Not really. One of the easiest ways to bypass the surreal waiting period is to visit the secondary market. The Luxury Hut is a leading name in the pre-owned watch industry selling a wide range of secondhand Rolex watches at the best prices. We guarantee the authenticity of each timepiece and its condition and functionality. And, the best part is – no long waiting!
Check our website and shop a Daytona or a Submariner from our assorted Rolex collection.
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