1990 rolex retail prices

[LA_LEC]

I bought my 16610 back in 1999 for $3350 full retail at an AD.

Wish that I had bought 2 and left one in the bank vault.

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by tommyz24

the 114060 is 7550+tx here in Canada
in 1990 it was 1650 (14060), using the inflation calculator that gave me 2854$ in 2012

the average household is about 50000 before tax now , in 1990 it was 28000

so 28000 using the inflation calculator is pretty much 50K. so that means the salary was the same but the watch price has when up 60% more or less

Wrong comparison. You should compare the watch price of 14060 in 1990 with its 2012-2013 current MSRP at an AD today.

Comparing 2012's 114060 price with 1990's 14060 price is not the same.

[anothernewphone]

Originally Posted by aeon888

Wrong comparison. You should compare the watch price of 14060 in 1990 with its 2012-2013 current MSRP at an AD today.

You'll be hard-pressed to find a 14060 at an AD. You do know it's been discontinued for a while, right?

[iazrollie]

Originally Posted by rolepam312

Proves inflation and cost of living has no bearing on random Rolex price increases.. I really doubt the subs will double in price in the next 10 yrs.. Because no one will buy them ! Rolex has reached its ceiling... Glad when I got mine when I did, no way am I purchasing another Rolex....

Rolex is not in business to keep pace with inflation or cost of living. They are interested in real returns/growth, not nominal returns/growth.

[aeon888]

Originally Posted by anothernewphone

You'll be hard-pressed to find a 14060 at an AD. You do know it's been discontinued for a while, right?

I know it was already discontinued that is why I wrote about its 2012 msrp. The AD in sioux city has still a few 14060m last time I checked. But then that would also be tad higher price than the older 14060 which the previous poster compared with the newer ceramic 114060.

[KZZN]

Originally Posted by iazrollie

i love the way the daytona was priced at a discount to almost all other references. Boy, have times changed.

Hello,

In the 1980s (in the UK at least), the Cosmograph was an utterly undesirable piece. They did not sell well at all compared to virtually every other model, and even when they did sell it was often only at a discount, or as part of a "if you buy this Day-Date instead of the Datejust you were thinking of, we'll throw in this stainless steel Cosmograph for a rock-bottom price" kind of deal. Definitely a case of "if only I had known", in terms of what your return on investment might be if you'd picked one up back then !

[subrolex]

inflation...... it is still worth to get one nowadays with this retail price.

[joere]

1970. PX price on 5513: $189.00. Fairly common on GI's wrists in Vietnam Nam. Probably lots still stuck in old vet's drawers somewhere.

[wilsonpepper]

Paid $775 for a GMT in 1982, State College PA. They gave me the watch for $100 down and $25 a month until paid off !!

[Onequik135i]

Originally Posted by wilsonpepper

Paid $775 for a GMT in 1982, State College PA. They gave me the watch for $100 down and $25 a month until paid off !!

Wow, post up a pic of that beauty.

[Drpepper]

Ouch I bought an omega seamaster for 1450 in 1996-7. Should of got a no date sub. That was when I was in college and just assumed Rolex would be a lot more

[Likestheshiny]

Almost exactly six years. That's a pretty solid necrobump.

An important thing to remember while discussing Rolex prices over time is that the watches aren't the same. A 2019 Rolex is meaningfully improved on one from 1990.

[junamuan]

To put things in perspective. When I started working in 1991, I was earning $320/month as a developer.

[iliketime]

aint inflation a B?

[ozwatchguy]

1990 what a great year, I was only 1 years old, I wish I knew then what I know now

[othertbone]

Originally Posted by Casey VP-26

Just looking at Bailey, Banks & Biddle Retail Catalog from 1990, Just a few examples, from 23 years ago.

S.S. Submariner no date...................................1,650.
S.S. Submariner date.......................................2,250.
S.S. Explorer.......................................... ........1,350.
S.S. Explorer II...............................................2 ,150.
S.S.&18Kt Submariner (blue).............................4,250.
S.S. Datejust with Jubilee................................2,350.
S.S.&18Kt Datejust with Jubilee.........................3,650.
S.S. GMT Master...W/Jubilee.............................2,225
S.S. GMT Master II...W/Oyster..........................2,250.
S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Bronze with Jubilee........4,350.
S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Black with Oyster..........4,100.
18Kt Day-Date President.................................12,250.
Tudor S.S. Chronograph....................................1,2 50.

Just think if you paid double retail at that time for any of these references. Would have been a VERY long time before you recouped your money.

I'm talking to YOU grey Daytona, Pepsi and Batman buyers!!!

[Todd Turbo S]

I bought my first Rolex in 1995, Explorer 11, I think I paid $2,400 and 2 years later, my SS white face and a Black Face at $7,900

[iheartrolexx]

wonder how much a big mac was in 1990

[mjr128]

I know this is an old thread but it’s very interesting nonetheless.

I’ve always thought that to the non WIS the Sub and SD were near identical watches. It’s interesting that in 1990 and in the 2000s the Sub and SD had a very similar price point.

That seemed to change in 2014 when the SD4K launched. Still looked very similar to the Sub but at a much higher relative price point.

Always felt Rolex over priced it which led to poor sales. This historic pricing seems to indicate the SD4K received a much higher price point relative to the Sub than previously seen.

What do people think?

[Mr.Rolex1]

Good times

[SG1]

looking for the current selling price of a 1990 blue date oyster

[TheWatchStandard]

Shocking lol, thanks for the share.

[Dougiebaby]

Originally Posted by Casey VP-26

Just looking at Bailey, Banks & Biddle Retail Catalog from 1990, Just a few examples, from 23 years ago.



S.S. Submariner no date...................................1,650.

S.S. Submariner date.......................................2,250.

S.S. Explorer.......................................... ........1,350.

S.S. Explorer II...............................................2 ,150.

S.S.&18Kt Submariner (blue).............................4,250.

S.S. Datejust with Jubilee................................2,350.

S.S.&18Kt Datejust with Jubilee.........................3,650.

S.S. GMT Master...W/Jubilee.............................2,225

S.S. GMT Master II...W/Oyster..........................2,250.

S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Bronze with Jubilee........4,350.

S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Black with Oyster..........4,100.

18Kt Day-Date President.................................12,250.

Tudor S.S. Chronograph....................................1,2 50.

I received a SS Datejust with Jubilee from Bailey Banks and Biddle (Pittsburgh, PA) in 1984. It was $975 new ... d@mn it appreciated pretty well in 6 years if this price list is correct. Here it is 24 years later in 2008...





Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[58junior]

J

[sambb]

Not sure i follow this thread... yes the sub has gone up in price and value.
But the S&P 500 without dividends has gone up 800% and with dividends revinvested, it has gone up 1600%. If you had any savings invested, might be good that you waitied.

[fishingbear]

This is what sparked my interest in collecting. I was already a watch enthusiast but when I turned my first Rolex in for an “upgrade“ Rolex, I felt as though I had the screws put to me.
Been very smart and read up on every buy and sell since.

[10klakes]

The obvious dollar amount of then versus now is obvious- but factor in how many years of great memories that watch would’ve given to said buyer, in addition to where prices have gone.

Makes these buying decisions so much easier-

[HappyFamilyVan]

Rolex has increased prices on average 46% over inflation since 1990.

[Diana Spellman]

Oh, thanks for sharing!

[Gold Crown]

Originally Posted by Casey VP-26

Just looking at Bailey, Banks & Biddle Retail Catalog from 1990, Just a few examples, from 23 years ago.

S.S. Submariner no date...................................1,650.
S.S. Submariner date.......................................2,250.
S.S. Explorer.......................................... ........1,350.
S.S. Explorer II...............................................2 ,150.
S.S.&18Kt Submariner (blue).............................4,250.
S.S. Datejust with Jubilee................................2,350.
S.S.&18Kt Datejust with Jubilee.........................3,650.
S.S. GMT Master...W/Jubilee.............................2,225
S.S. GMT Master II...W/Oyster..........................2,250.
S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Bronze with Jubilee........4,350.
S.S.&18Kt GMT Master II Black with Oyster..........4,100.
18Kt Day-Date President.................................12,250.
Tudor S.S. Chronograph....................................1,2 50.

Just goes to show how they are gouging today. No reason for the asking prices today.