It Just Got a Little Easier to Buy a Used Rolex

Rolex’s Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program was in the news recently after a study revealed just how wide the price disparity can be between various Rolex CPO retailers. (For more on that, go here.)

Now, less than two weeks later, Rolex’s CPO program is making headlines again. And while the previous story was more of a mixed bag (i.e., you may have gotten fleeced depending on where you bought your used Rolex), today’s story can only be seen as good news if you’re looking to buy a certified used Rolex.

Rolex

And Then It Was Two

When Rolex launched its CPO program at the end of 2022, it was an immediate game-changer for the secondhand watch industry. Suddenly, for the first time, buyers interested in purchasing a used Rolex watch would have the option of shopping watches that were guaranteed authentic from the brand, serviced by a Rolex-certified technician and warrantied by The Crown for two years.

But there were catches, of course.

For one, buyers would have to pay a premium for the service, as Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches understandably cost more than the same watches sold by a non-RCPO partner.

Secondly, the program only applied to watches that were at least three years old, meaning if you wanted to pick up a used watch that was originally purchased more recently — like, say, the current-generation Daytona, which debuted in 2023 — then you were out of luck.

Photo by Zen Love for Gear Patrol

But that’s no longer the case. Our friends over at Hodinkee noticed a recent change in Rolex’s policy where the brand was now accepting two-year-old watches in its CPO program, effectively adding another year’s worth of watches to its Certified Pre-Owned stocks.

“In light of the growing demand for secondhand Rolex watches, the brand has decided to include watches under three years old in its Certified Pre-Owned programme,” a Rolex rep told Hodinkee. “Since May 2025, all second-hand Rolex watches are eligible as long as they are at least two years old. The Certified Pre-Owned programme remains otherwise unchanged.”

Photo by Zen Love for Gear Patrol

So there you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth. If you want a used Rolex from 2023 — like, say, a titanium Yacht-Master or a Daytona Le Mans (good luck) — it’s now possible to get one that’s been certified through a Rolex CPO partner.

This isn’t surprising. Rolex’s CPO program continues to build momentum since demand for used Rolex watches remains strong. Although that demand has dropped off slightly from its 2022 peak, Rolex remains one of a small minority of brands whose watches routinely sell above retail on the secondary market.

More Rolex watches becoming available for the RCPO program will increase supply, which could make it easier for buyers to find the certified Rolex they want. Just keep in mind that as more CPO sales supplant non-CPO sales, we could see the average price of a used Rolex begin to rise once again, since certified watches carry a premium over non-certified ones.

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