Should You Consider Customising Your Rolex?

Most of us want to leave our own unique imprint on the world, and one of the easiest ways is to do so through small and discreet personal statements. For watch enthusiasts or the modern watch collector, it is always about adding a touch of personalisation to the timepiece.

If you’re into luxury watches, you’ve probably heard the term ‘Custom Rolex’. But what does that mean exactly? Simply put, it is to modify the form or qualities of the watch in one way or another for the sake of aesthetic indulgence and adding your personalised touch to it. Customising your Rolex is sometimes seen as the ultimate statement, a way to separate yourself from an already exclusive crowd.

With that being said, should you consider doing it?

Getting your Rolex watch customised comes with its own set of pros and cons, and the decision is yours to make. So, here, we’re going to explore it all – the good, the bad and everything else in between.

The ‘Good’ Part..

If you’re someone who gets bored of the same old stuff or want something bespoke, customisation might be your thing. Today, you’ll get a lot of options for aftermarket modifications, giving you the look you’ve always wanted. You can get PVD coating on the case of your Rolex or even set diamonds on the bezel for a flattering look. Of course, you even have the option to switch the dial for the colour of your dreams. When you customise your Rolex, you get a completely unique timepiece that garners attention and starts a few conversations as well.

For collectors, the appeal of customised Rolex watches lies in their ability to steer away from the ordinary and add their own distinct touch. In a world where most watches are mass-produced and instantly recognisable, customising a Rolex offers a chance to own something truly personal.

Whether it’s a modern creation or a vintage piece, customisation allows the enthusiasts to express their individuality, which traditional watchmakers cannot always accommodate.

Today, the customised Rolex watch market continues to grow, proving that even the most misaligned trend can triumphantly come back.

The ‘Not-So-Good’ Part..

While customisation definitely gives life to your desires, it also caps the value potential of your timepiece. This is a big turn-off for those who buy Rolex watches as an investment. A big part of collecting Rolex is the fact that the watches hold great value or even appreciate over time. The minute you start replacing original parts with aftermarket parts – no matter how well-crafted and good they may appear–you’re taking away from the watch’s overall value.

That’s not it! The chances of reselling your Rolex also decrease when you customise it. The modification you make may appeal to you but not necessarily to other buyers. Plus, any purist collector will immediately walk out of the door when they spot these modifications. If you’re in the market for a Rolex and the seller mentions that it’s a custom Rolex, be careful about the investment or simply avoid it altogether - unless you want your watch to be of more fun and fashion than value.

What Rolex Thinks About Custom Watches?

Rolex has long resisted creating custom watches for individual clients. Due to this limitation, collectors have moved on to find alternatives to express their personal style.

Many collectors once viewed these creations with disdain, especially after low-quality customisations flooded the market, throwing PVD coatings on Rolex and other iconic watches and claiming exorbitant premiums. As a result, for decades, customised watches have been seen gathering dust in the corner of dealers’ shelves.

Then, during the early 2020s, something changed, particularly after the mass adoption of steel sports watches like the Submarine and Daytona. These models became extremely popular, and this ubiquity pushed enthusiasts to seek alternatives, reviving the public’s interest in customised watches. To attest to this, auction houses began testing the situation, and the results were undeniable.

However, Rolex never supported the company’s modifications, which resulted in customers around the globe adapting to their business models. Today, the brand offers customisation services exclusively to client-owned watches rather than selling customised pieces directly.

Different Ways of Customising Rolex Watches

When it comes to custom Rolex watches, you can style it in various ways to give it a completely new appearance. Below, we’ll look at some of the options available to make your custom Rolex a reflection of your personal style, taste and preference.

1. Bracelet

Rolex offers a range of bracelets, such as metal bracelets that last for many years and leather straps known for their versatility. You can find a contemporary Rolex model with metal bracelets, making the timepiece more robust. If you want a leather strap, opt for the Rolex Cellini, which is dressy and elegant. You can also choose the newly released Oysterflex, a rubber bracelet on models like the Daytona and Yacht-Master.  If you have a Rolex with a leather strap, you can easily replace it with a rubber or silicon bracelet to give it a fresh look.

2. Gem-Setting

Whatever metal, precious stone, or gemstone you desire, you can integrate it into your luxury watch. These include stainless steel, platinum, gold, and titanium. You can customise your Rolex with diamonds to give it an extraordinary look. Rolex has its own team of gemologists and jewellers who ensure the quality and authenticity of the diamonds being used.

3. Custom Dial & Bezel

Changing the dial and bezel is one of the best ways to get custom Rolex watches. However, make sure that the customisation does not decrease the resale value of your Rolex timepiece. The original dials of Rolex watches come in various colours and materials like champagne, silver, blue, black, silver, Mother Of Pearl, and green. Rolex allows the wearer to add a style that reflects their personality. You can integrate another colour, emboss an image, inscribe a message or swamp it in diamonds or other gems. Similarly, you can give the bezel a makeover by integrating gems like diamonds.

4. Engrave It

Engrave a Rolex with a personal message to enhance the euphoria of wearing it. Etch something on the watch’s case back, such as the name of your beloved, your anniversary date, or anything that holds meaning to you.

5. PVD & DLC Coating

If you’re interested in transforming your steel Rolex into metallic dark grey or matte black, you can do that, too, through PVD and DLC coating techniques. PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) is the most common choice for customers who prefer black-themed timepieces. DLC, on the other hand, stands for Diamond Like Carbon, which offers a metallic dark grey colour to the watch. Both techniques give the metal of the watch an all-black appearance.

Should you buy a customised Rolex?

There are split opinions on whether you should consider customising your Rolex. The decision should only be based on what you want out of your timepiece. Customising is a good option if you want a watch that speaks to you and you don’t mind devaluing it.

However, if you plan to sell your Rolex later, customising it or replacing the original parts with aftermarket elements will impact its value. Remember, once you customise, you cannot change your mind at a later stage.   

However, if customisation is what intrigues you but you don’t want to do something permanent that negatively affects the value, there are a few modifications you can opt for:

Ways to modify your Rolex without customising:

• Buy a custom bezel and keep your original one. The most commonly purchased bezel type is the diamond bezel.
• Buy a custom dial and keep the original. If you plan to sell your watch, you can switch back to the original.
• Buy a new bracelet or strap to give your piece a new look. Changing bracelets is the most common form of modification.

Bottom Line

Rolex watches are brilliant, with or without customisation. It stood to its legacy not just as a reliable wristpiece but for its elegance and style. Rolex reigns supremacy for which collectors, buyers and investors are willing to invest in the timepieces.

But some of us want to add that unique touch to the already extraordinary timepiece and hence consider customising the Rolex. The best part is that Rolex offers many possibilities for personalisation. You can tweak it according to the style that suits your personality.

In conclusion, customising your Rolex can be fun and tempting, but it comes with risks and rewards. So, it’s all up to your priorities and personal style. Do what feels right for you!