Popular watches in Singapore
The 5 Hottest Watches in Singapore Today
by Natalie Wong December 5, 2021
If there was one thing the pandemic proved, it was that no amount of COVID cases, heightened alerts, or lockdowns were going to dampen the ferocity of watch buyers here in Singapore (and the world for that matter).
So it’s December now. The Daytona Panda has doubled, the John Mayer Daytona is about to triple, the hulk is above $30,000 (a huge jump considering it used to retail at $12,000 before it was put out of production). If you told me any of this would be true at the start of the year, I would have thought you’d be lying.
Let’s take a look at what we think are some of the most sought-after timepieces right now here in Singapore.
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Rolex Submariner “Hulk” (116610LV)
Rolex Submariner “Hulk”
This watch needs no introduction. After it was discontinued, to be replaced by the new 41mm black-faced version also known as the “Starbucks”, watch buyers in Singapore started to realize that this was a “must-have” piece in their collection.
Considering it retailed for around $12,000, the price increase has been pretty significant for this model and today it’s trading for around $30,000 on the market.
It’s iconic for the fact that this was the first piece that Rolex slapped a green dial on. Thankfully, Rolex did make “enough” of these pieces so it’s not at all hard to find one on the secondary market if you’re ready to pay the premium.
Popular watches in Singapore
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Panda” (116500LN)
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Panda”
When I first heard that a stainless steel Rolex Daytona was selling at $50,000, I thought it was a joke. And even today, I have to blink twice whenever I see a listing on Carousell or TimeMarket when the “Panda” is put up for almost 3 times its retail price. Indeed, the Rolex Daytona 116500LN has become even more inaccessible than I had ever imagined.
As recalled by another watch enthusiast, “I can remember being at the Rolex booth when this watch was launched. The watch generated incredible tension, something that I never experienced again. Everybody was looking at it as a true gem, a watch that from day one was destined to succeed. This was also the day I discovered the pressure exerted on authorized dealers. I can remember hearing people in front of the booth, looking at the display windows, calling their AD to reserve one of the first examples.”
Today, a brand new piece on the secondary market would easily set you back at least $53,000, which up till today, I can’t find any reason to pay that huge of a premium for a stainless steel watch. But hey, that’s just my personal opinion, to each his own!
Popular watches in Singapore
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” (15202ST.OO.1240ST.01)
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin
Need an answer to making a particular watch spike in price? Discontinue it. That’s exactly what happened with the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra Thin.
Originally selling at retail for $45,000, Audemars Piguet announced that they would be discontinuing this model sometime in March this year, replacing it with a newer model next year. This caused prices on the secondary market to shoot through the roof, and today it’s trading for around $140,000 in Singapore.
Personally, I think this piece is a “low-key” watch to have on your wrist, it’s sleek, goes well with both formal or casual look, and for those who know, they’ll know.
Rolex GMT-Master 2 “Rootbeer” (126715CHNR)
Rolex GMT-Master 2 “Rootbeer”
The price increase on this model is nowhere compared to the AP Royal Oak “Jumbo”, but it’s still worth a mention.
Retailing at $52,000, the price of this watch has recently sky-rocketed in the last half-year here in Singapore.
Back in April, these bad boys were going for around $57,000. And at that time, a $5,000 premium for a full-gold sport model didn’t sound at all hefty considering that full-gold Rolex Daytonas were trading at $25,000 above retail (~$76,000).
I guess watch buyers in Singapore figured out that something was amiss here and started snapping them up. Today they’re going for around $78,000 on the secondary market, nearing the prices of the gold Daytona’s.
Personally, this watch never fails to get my attention. It’s no rainbow Daytona, but the rose gold on the black dial of the GMT-Master 2 creates a bright but yet dark combination, and it just exudes nothing but luxury and class.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “John Mayer” (116508)
Rolex Cosmograph “John Mayer”
No this watch is not a homage to the famous musician. Actually, the watch has nothing to do with him. The nickname for the watch came about in an interview between the American singer and Hodinkee, where he mentioned that it was a great steal among Rolex watches. And just like that, this piece today is known as “The John Mayer”.
The green dial on this Daytona was first released in Baselworld in 2016, but thanks to the hype in recent years with Hollywood celebrities and football stars being seen with this piece on their wrist, the demand for the watch has hit new highs, especially here in Singapore.
Today, this piece is trading for at least $130,000 in the secondary market, and count yourself lucky if you spot one of these along Orchard Road. If you do, you can rest assured you’ll spot this watch from a mile away, because, with the striking contrast between the yellow-gold and the creamy green, this watch will be sure to steal your breath away.
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