How do you enhance the exclusivity of one of the world's most renowned luxury brands? Simply add platinum – one of the scarcest and most precious metals in watch and jewelry craftsmanship. While prices for Platinum Rolex watches can reach astonishing levels, they fluctuate significantly. Rolex has incorporated this prestigious metal into its creations for over a century, from the Platinette pocket watches of the 1920s to the impressive array of contemporary Day-Date and Daytona timepieces. For collectors seeking insight into which Rolex models are offered in platinum and their corresponding prices, we've compiled this concise platinum Rolex price guide.
Why Platinum Rolexes Command a Premium Price
Rolex upholds its renowned quality by crafting its own 950 platinum in-house, known for its luxurious shine, exceptional durability, and substantial weight. Working with platinum demands expert skill due to its inherent difficulty. Rolex often pairs its platinum watches with exclusive icy blue dials, though various design options are available. Expect a higher price for platinum Rolexes due to platinum's density, rarity, and purity compared to 18k gold. Despite fluctuations in gold and platinum prices, a platinum Rolex contains roughly 40% more platinum than an 18k gold watch.
Shine in Platinum: Exploring Rolex's Price Tag
Assigning a price range to platinum watches is challenging due to significant variations in both retail and secondary markets. For instance, platinum Rolex watches can range from well into six digits for iced-out diamond versions to just under $60,000 for classic models like the Platinum Rolex Day Date 36. The cheapest option, a used 35mm Cellinium, can be found for around $10,000, while the latest diamond-covered platinum Rolex Daytona may fetch up to $400,000. Additionally, Rolexes with Eastern Arabic hour markers, originally exclusive to Middle Eastern authorized dealers, often command a premium of 30%. Below, we'll examine platinum Rolex prices by model.
Rolex Daytona Platinum
In 2013, Rolex marked the 50th anniversary of the Cosmograph Daytona with the release of the platinum model, ref. 116506. Following the success of the Everose ref. 116515LN with its ceramic bezel, the platinum edition surprised with a chestnut brown bezel, ice blue dial, and brown sub-dials, all paired with a platinum finish. It was powered by the caliber 4130, Rolex’s inaugural in-house chronograph movement.
Jumping to 2023, Rolex unveiled a new edition of the platinum Cosmograph Daytona to commemorate the collection’s 60th anniversary. This iteration boasted several enhancements, including aesthetic updates, a new movement, and a groundbreaking feature – the first exhibition case back on a Rolex sports watch. The caliber 4131, adorned with a captivating Rolex Côtes de Genève finish, was visible through the case back, raising questions about the possibility of transparent case backs becoming a staple in Rolex watches. Will this feature be exclusive to anniversary Daytona models, like the LeMans Daytona, or signal a broader shift for the brand?
Platinum Rolex Daytona Prices as of January 2024:
- Reference 116506: Bezel - Ceramic tachymeter; Market Price - $125,000
- Reference 116576TBR: Bezel - Diamond; Market Price - $300,000
- Reference 126506: Bezel - Ceramic tachymeter; Market Price - $130,000
- Reference 126576TBR: Bezel - Diamond; Market Price - $400,000
Rolex Masterpiece
Crafted between 2001 and 2015, the Masterpiece occupies a unique niche in Rolex's timeline by blending features from the 1990s Pearlmaster and the Day-Date. Its dial features dual displays akin to the Day-Date, while its bracelet echoes the distinctive 5-piece link design of the Pearlmaster. Limited to precious metals like platinum, the Rolex Masterpiece boasts a 39mm case size, larger than the classic Day-Date 36 yet smaller than the Day-Date II and Day-Date 40 models.
Platinum Rolex Masterpiece Prices for January 2024:
- Reference 18946: Round diamond bezel, $50,000
- Reference 18956: Trapeze-cut diamond bezel, $62,000
Rolex Cellinium
Cellinium, a platinum variant of the Cellini line, features graceful round cases in 35mm or 38mm sizes and manual winding movements. While no longer in production, pre-owned versions with Rolex's iconic icy blue dial are readily available. With prices under $15,000, Cellinium offers an affordable entry into the world of platinum Rolex timepieces.
Rolex Cellinium Prices
The Rolex Cellinium collection offers two references, the 5240 with a 35mm diameter priced at $9,000, and the 5241 with a 38mm diameter available at $13,000 as of January 2024.
Platinum Brilliance: Yacht-Master's Honorable Mention
The Rolex Yacht-Master stands out among collectors as a premier platinum option. Its stainless-steel case and bracelet complement a bezel crafted from 950 platinum, a patented blend known as "Rolesium". This model offers a more accessible platinum option within the Yacht-Master range, resembling a refined version of the Submariner with its regatta timer functionality.
Platinum-Bezel Yacht-Master Prices as of Jan. 2024
- Yacht-Master 40 (16622, 116622, 126622) in stainless steel: $9,000 - $14,000.
- Yacht-Master 29 (169622) in stainless steel: $5,000.
- Yacht-Master 35 (168622) in stainless steel: $7,300.
- Yacht-Master 37 (268622) in stainless steel: $11,750.
- Yacht-Master II (116689) in white gold: $33,000.
Platinum Rolex: Are Ice Blue Dials Standard?
While Rolex's captivating ice blue dials are exclusive to platinum models, not all platinum Rolexes feature them. The dial color transitioned from "glacier blue" to "ice blue" in 2017, though this was merely a renaming. Prior to the change, glacier blue dials exhibited varying shades from somewhat greyish to more pastel-like. Nonetheless, ice blue remains the most sought-after dial color for platinum Rolexes, showcasing the brand's successful color-metal association in luxury watchmaking.
As Rolex's collection has expanded, it now boasts numerous platinum dress and sports watches, the epitome of luxury. Considering the range of platinum Rolex prices, which one will you be adding to your collection?
