Top 5 Watches With a Big Increase in Value Over Last 5 Years

The watch market experienced unprecedented hype between 2020 and 2022. The buzz has calmed down in the meantime, making watches more accessible to many enthusiasts and collectors. If you look at the market as a whole, it’s easy to see that not all models perform equally – obviously. We have taken a closer look at performance over the last five years and identified those watch models that have risen in value most and are, therefore, definitely worth checking out.  

1. Rolex Daytona 116500LN

The Rolex Daytona has been a symbol of luxury and precision for decades. This chronograph, which was developed for motorsport and initially considered a shelf warmer, has become one of the most sought-after models on the entire watch market. Although the iconic Rolex has come a long way from the extremely high increase in value that the model achieved in 2022, it is still a very stable performer in the long term. Since the end of 2019, the now discontinued ref. 116500LN has increased in value by almost 25%. If we go back to 2016, this increase in value is even higher at just over 65%. The combination of iconic design, high quality, and limited availability means that watch collectors are still willing to pay high market prices for this legendary chronograph.

The Rolex Daytona will hold its value in 2024.

2. Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711

The Patek Philippe Nautilus is another watch that has appreciated in value over the long term. This sporty luxury watch, which was first introduced in 1976, has become one of the most sought-after models in the watch world. The now discontinued reference 5711 has experienced a particularly dramatic price increase in recent years. The Patek Philippe Nautilus is not only considered a masterpiece of watchmaking, but also a status symbol. The traditional watch brand enjoys an excellent reputation among watch collectors. This is reflected in the way the legendary sports watch holds its value. While the Genta icon experienced a slight increase in value of around 4% in 2024, this is considerably higher over if you look at the last five years, with a whopping increase of over 70%.

The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 has experienced a dramatic increase in value in recent years.

3. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak

If the Patek Philippe Nautilus appears on a list, you expect to see the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak close by. Both watches were created by the legendary designer Gerald Genta. First released in 1972, the AP Royal Oak is considered to be the first ever steel sports luxury watch. It thus established a new category of watches and made timepieces like the Patek Philippe Nautilus possible in the first place. Even though tourbillon and chronograph versions have been particularly popular in recent years, the original three-hand version remains the most sought-after model of the legendary sports icon. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is not only a masterpiece of watchmaking, but also a symbol of style and timeless elegance. The predecessor model of the latest reference lost around 14% in value in 2024, but over the last five years, the Royal Oak has gained almost 55%  in value. The Genta classic is likely to maintain its value into the future.  

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is and remains a stable performer.

4. Rolex Datejust 41

The Rolex Datejust is one of the most popular watches of all time – no surprises there. However, you may be interested to learn that its not just steel sports models from Rolex that perform well on the market, but also this more elegant all-rounder. The Rolex Datejust 41 ref. 126334 has increased in value by over 35% in the last five years. If we go back to 2017, the year when the Rolex Datejust 41 saw the light of day, the appreciation exceeds 60%. In my research, I looked at models with standard dials, but more unique dials like the Wimbledon or mint green dial are even more in demand. Insider Tip: Look for examples from around 2020 onwards; these can still be found in the current Rolex catalog. The watch has a new movement and the dial has been slightly adapted to meet the modern Rolex design.

The Rolex Datejust 41 has amazing value performance.

5. Cartier Santos

The Cartier Santos is a legendary aviation icon that was developed back in 1904. In 1911, the watch that was specially designed for inventor Alberto Santos-Dumont finally went into series production. There are plenty of different Cartier Santos models these days. One model that has been adapted to modern times, but lost none of its original charm, is the Medium model, which comes exclusively with a white dial and looks great on most wrists. While the Cartier all-rounder enjoyed an increase in value of around 5% in 2024, since 2020, it has appreciated by a remarkable 33%. With a price tag just over $6,000, this watch is also suitable for newcomers to the watch world.

The purist Medium model of the Cartier Santos is very popular among watch fans.