Mostly, no. Most new watches lose a big chunk the day you buy them, and Morgan Stanley says used prices fell for 28 of the 35 brands it tracked in 2025. A small group does the opposite: the steel sports watches everyone wants, from brands that keep supply tight. Those are the ten below. Even these lost value when the market dipped in 2023 and 2024, so buy one because you want to wear it, and treat any gain as a bonus.
The 5711 successor, still far above list price.
Patek Nautilus 5811/1G: the time-and-date Nautilus that replaced the steel 5711 in 2022, now in white gold. Cal. 26-330 S C, blue gradient dial, 120m WR. Fratello put its average grey-market price at around CHF 150,000 in early 2026, more than double retail.
The original Royal Oak shape, current calibre.
AP Royal Oak Jumbo 16202ST: 39mm, extra-thin, cal. 7121, blue Petite Tapisserie dial. It replaced the 15202 in 2022. WatchCharts data puts Royal Oak references at an average of nearly 25% above retail, and Fratello put the Jumbo at about €30,000 over list on Chrono24 in 2025.
The steel Rolex with the deepest demand.
Rolex Daytona 126500LN: steel, black ceramic bezel, cal. 4131. The steel Daytona only went up 2.2% at retail in 2026, while Rolex as a brand keeps trading above retail on the used market. The cheapest way into the top tier on this list, if your dealer will sell you one.
Steel Aquanaut on the rubber strap.
Patek Aquanaut 5167A: steel on the embossed rubber strap, black dial, cal. 26-330 S C. Patek dropped the steel bracelet version in 2025, so this rubber-strap 5167A is the steel Aquanaut to get. Patek was the strongest brand on the used market in early 2026, up 17% year on year.
The independent that beats its auction estimates.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain: 40mm by 8mm, hand-wound cal. 1304 with a rose gold movement and 56h reserve. Boutique only, CHF 39,600 in platinum. At the big auctions Journe hammered at an average of 146% of the high estimate in 2024, and a used Journe sells in a median of 36 days, the fastest of any brand.
Aquanaut with a second time zone.
Patek Aquanaut Travel Time 5164G: white gold, grey-blue dial, local and home time with day/night windows, cal. 26-330 S C FUS. The Aquanaut is one of the few families WatchCharts credits with carrying Patek's resale strength.
The steel GMT after the Pepsi left.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLNR: blue and black ceramic bezel, cal. 3285, Oyster bracelet. Rolex discontinued the steel Pepsi in April 2026, which leaves this and the Sprite as the steel GMTs you can still order.
Left-handed GMT, green and black bezel.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR: crown and date on the left side, green and black ceramic bezel, cal. 3285. A newer, odder GMT than the Batman, but it's still a GMT-Master, the family WatchCharts lists among the few carrying Rolex's resale numbers.
The third Holy Trinity sports watch.
Vacheron Overseas 4520V: steel, blue sunburst dial, quick-change bracelet and straps. Vacheron had one of the strongest years on the used market in 2025: EveryWatch saw sales and value up more than 50%. Easier to buy at retail than the Patek or AP.
The entry ticket to the Rolex sports range.
Rolex Submariner 124060: no-date, 41mm, cal. 3230, 300m WR. The least exotic pick here. It won't make you rich, but Rolex is one of only three brands that still trade above retail on average.
If you can get an allocation: Nautilus 5811/1G or Royal Oak 16202ST. Best steel Rolex for value: Daytona 126500LN. The collector pick: F.P. Journe Chronomètre Souverain. Easiest to buy at retail: Vacheron Overseas or the Submariner. And whatever you buy, buy it to wear.
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