Why you should probably stop waiting and buy a gold Rolex
WATCHES
Why You Should Probably Stop Waiting and Buy a Gold Rolex
Why You Should Probably Stop Waiting and Buy a Gold Rolex
By Harvey - Founder of Officially Uncertified
The background
For the better part of a decade, steel Rolex models have dominated demand, and for good reason:
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Lower upfront cost
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Sky-high popularity
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Fast, easy liquidation
But those days of “accessible steel” are fading. Waiting lists remain brutal — a Rolex GMT-Master II still takes around three years with spending history, and a steel Daytona can stretch to five to ten years, depending on how tight you are with your AD.
Meanwhile, behind the noise of the steel hype, gold has been quietly exploding in value due to global uncertainty and rising tensions have pushed more people toward gold as a safe haven. With expected interest-rate cuts lowering real returns on savings and bonds, gold has become even more appealing. At the same time, central banks are buying huge amounts of gold, reducing supply and reinforcing long-term confidence in its value.
A new trend is emerging
With gold climbing at roughly 12% per year, luxury brands like Rolex have been forced to raise prices accordingly — with many solid-gold models increasing by £3,000–£5,000 at retail.
But here’s the twist: while retail prices surge, the second-hand market for gold watches has been dropping hard. Slower global economies, shifting tastes, and the high entry cost of solid-gold pieces have all pushed resale values down.
It’s reached the point where some dealers have begun melting down gold Rolexes, because the raw gold is worth more than the watch itself.
So should you consider buying a gold Rolex watch?
In short — possibly. With global uncertainty driving gold prices higher month after month, there’s a reasonable argument for considering a gold Rolex. A few factors make it appealing:
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Rolex models generally remain more liquid than most luxury watch brands, though gold pieces can move slower than steel.
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Buying pre-owned can offer meaningful savings compared to current retail prices, depending on the model and market conditions.
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Certain vintage models can present good value, though prices vary widely based on demand, condition, and rarity.
As a long-term strategy, buying a gold Rolex at the right price and holding it for 10–20 years may pay off — but only if market demand, gold prices, and overall conditions align. It’s less of a guaranteed investment and more of a calculated, collector-driven play.
The new Rolex Submariner desk clock - Our 5 minute take
WATCHES
THE NEW ROLEX SUBMARINER DESK CLOCK
THE NEW ROLEX SUBMARINER DESK CLOCK
By Harvey - Founder of Officially Uncertified
So what is the Rolex Submariner Desk Clock?
The Rolex Submariner Date Desk Clock — Ref. 909010LN — is Rolex’s unexpected 2025 curveball, turning an underwater legend into a luxury power move for the desktop. It’s not made for depth, danger, or the ocean floor — it’s built for VVIP desks, private boardrooms, and anyone who wants an absurdly expensive paperweight that also happens to tell the time with Rolex precision.
It mirrors the Submariner’s iconic design language, but don’t expect wristwatch functionality at jumbo scale. Instead, you get:
- Movement: A Caliber 8335 quartz engine — not a blown-up 3235 automatic (we wish).
- Bezel: The classic Sub bezel look, but fixed in place and purely for aesthetic dominance.
- Water resistance: Just enough for the desk… not enough for the deep.
Who can buy one?
Rumor has it the desk clock sits firmly in off-catalogue territory… for now — which automatically pushes it into the VVIP stratosphere alongside pieces like the Le Mans Daytona and select gem-set exclusives.
So if you’re planning to stroll into your local AD and casually request one, you might want to rethink that strategy. This isn’t a walk-in purchase — it’s a you get the call, or you don’t kind of item.
What is our 5 minute take?
We see this as a bold and unexpected move from Rolex — one that edges closer to the territory of brands like Patek Philippe, who have long played in the world of high-end desk clocks. And this likely isn’t the last one we’ll see. Rumour has circulated that Donald Trump received a pièce unique Rolex desk clock modeled after a Datejust, which suggests Rolex is quietly experimenting in this space.
What’s certain is this: if these desk clocks remain VVIP-only releases, they’re destined to become serious collectibles.
The first Submariner desk clock has already surfaced on the grey market, pulling in a reported sum of $17,000, with others listed for roughly £25,000 — wild for something that sits on a table rather than a wrist.
So… would we buy one? Personally, I’ll stick to the version that actually fits on my wrist.