At Wrist Aficionado, we know the story all too well of a new luxury watch being released whose demand far exceeds its supply. A few years ago, we had seen this classic economic tale play out with the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, or as most of us call it, the Rolex Daytona. This new timepiece is an updated version of what has become one of the watches collectors have loved the most. Since 1963, the Rolex Daytona has enjoyed a high degree of popularity due to its reliable chronograph and bezel and tachymetric scale. Now, it has seen a contemporary upgrade.
Even though it debuted with a $12,400 price tag, the level of demand for this Rolex was unlike anything ever seen. That quickly became an issue, given the demand vastly surpassed the supply available. This watch was released in a limited quality due to it not being an entry-level Rolex watch that first-time buyers would be getting. In fact, it is usually a watch set side by dealers for their most loyal customers.
While we don't know how many of these were made, we do know that they can go for several times the original retail price on the secondary market. If anyone was fortunate enough to obtain one of these when it was released, they stand to make a pretty penny selling it for a premium. At Wrist Aficionado, we have several for you to choose from, and with comparable prices to what you will find on the secondary market.
Why is this Rolex watch so popular and coveted? Well, the original that debuted over 50 years ago was primarily targeting car racing enthusiasts. It was essentially the first luxury stopwatch. It contained three subdials so that drivers could time their laps. This timepiece became iconic by the 1970s, with the help of celebrities like Paul Newman, whose Rolex Daytona sold for over $1 million in 2013. Other big names, like James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, and Eric Clapton, have all adorned the Rolex Daytona.
It is no wonder, then, that the modernized version of this classic timepiece has generated so much buzz and interest. The demand was so high that people were lining up outside of Wempe Jewelers on Fifth Avenue in New York to get their hands on one. For those who didn’t manage to beat out the herds, it would be quite some time before they would be able to obtain one. Waiting lists lasting up to five years became commonplace. Some who got listed on waiting lists gave up due to prospects of getting a Rolex Daytona quickly diminishing.
A few dealers have been figuring out ways to handle the demand. Setting aside a few for their most loyal customers to "rent" or "borrow" for a week or so was a creative way of at least providing the opportunity to enjoy the watch for a little bit. Yes, it had come to that.
The Rolex Daytona is destined to stay nearly-unattainable for a long time to come. However, Watch Aficionado has a collection of these highly-prized Rolex watches you can browse right now so that you can obtain this incredibly sought-after luxury timepiece.