Steel Rolex Daytonas Over $30k: Is this the Peak? | Market Wrap

Rolex demand continues to soar across the world, with market value following suit, and Mike Manjos reports in from WatchBox’s global headquarters with his weekly analysis and market insight. He kicks off this episode of Market Wrap with a spotlight on a few special pieces that landed in WatchBox’s inventory this week, including a Rolex Submariner “Smurf” (116619LB) with its bright blue bezel and dial, the matte-black dialed A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Moon Phase (384.029), and an Audemars Piguet Jules Audemars Chronograph (26100BC). This week, we’re turning our attention to the Daytona, which in its steel and ceramic form is commanding around $30,000. Platinum Daytonas are trading around the $100k mark – that’s close to a 20% spike in value over the last few months! Mike points out how the Hong Kong market often leads the world in pricing, and Josh Srolovitz dials in from our HK office to discuss what he’s seeing on the ground. The steady climb in both demand and value is not limited to the Daytona, as 36mm Day-Dates and Datejusts are also testing market highs. On the other side of the horological spectrum, we have independent brands and watchmakers, and the rising interest in the category has ushered in liquidity that wasn’t there just a few years ago. With extremely low production numbers – ranging from under 100 pieces per year from Grönefeld, 150 from Laurent Ferrier, 200 from De Bethune, 300 from Ressence, and approximately 800 from F.P. Journe – the small growth in dema