Think Your Rolex Is Safe? What Most Owners Don’t Realize

For years, the biggest obstacle to owning a Rolex was finding one. Getting past the waitlist felt like a victory. But once you finally have the watch, the hard part isn’t over. Keeping a Rolex safe — from thieves, from financial blind spots, and even from well-meaning service centers — is more complicated than most owners realize.

The numbers alone are staggering. According to The Watch Register, $1.6 billion worth of luxury watches are currently missing worldwide, and Rolex accounts for nearly half of all thefts. On average, 21 high-end watches are reported stolen every single day. That’s not a rare event. It’s a daily reality, and one that Rolex owners are more exposed to than anyone else.

Rolex Is the #1 Target for Thieves

Image Source: Sky News

Theft is the most obvious risk, and it’s growing. London police reported 667 Rolex watches stolen in just the first nine months of 2022, and the problem has only accelerated. Paris, Los Angeles, Miami, and Barcelona all report similar spikes. What used to be the occasional grab-and-run is now organized, often violent crime.

High-profile victims highlight the scale: boxer Amir Khan was robbed at gunpoint for a £70,000 Rolex in East London, footballer Raheem Sterling’s home was broken into while he was at the World Cup, and cyclist Mark Cavendish was attacked in his own home. Ordinary owners face the same risks, often in daylight, sometimes followed from restaurants or hotels.

Rolex sports models — Submariners, GMT-Masters, Daytonas — are the prime targets. They’re recognizable from across the street, easy to resell, and small enough to pocket. Which is why some owners make a simple adjustment: swap the factory bracelet for a black rubber strap. It tones down the flash, makes the watch less identifiable from a distance, and still keeps it secure. Everest rubber straps are one option that many owners choose — designed for comfort, durability, and yes, a more discreet look when you want it.

Your Insurance Probably Won’t Save You

Image Source: Chrono24

Even if you avoid theft, many Rolex owners don’t realize their insurance won’t fully protect them. A standard homeowners or renters policy often caps jewelry coverage at just a few thousand dollars. That barely covers a vintage Datejust, let alone a Daytona or Sky-Dweller.

Specialized coverage is required — either as a rider through your existing insurer or a dedicated watch/jewelry policy. Providers like Jewelers Mutual or Hodinkee Insurance offer tailored protection, but even then, the fine print matters. I’ve heard horror stories of claims denied across the board: big insurers, niche providers, even watch-specific policies. Undervaluation, poor documentation, exclusions around “mysterious disappearance” — all of these can leave collectors with nothing.

Curved-End Rubber Strap For Rolex

The advice is simple but often ignored: get your watch appraised, take photos, keep receipts, and understand exactly what your policy covers. Without those steps, your Rolex might be worth five figures to you and nothing to your insurance company.

Servicing Can Cost You Originality

Image Source: RedBar Group

Rolex watches are built to last decades, but servicing them can be a minefield. Send your vintage Submariner to Rolex, and you may get it back looking brand new — but with the very parts that made it collectible swapped out for modern replacements.

I’ve heard plenty of stories from collectors who sent in watches with creamy tritium dials or rare bezels, only to have them returned with modern service parts — Luminova hands, glossy dials, or fresh bezel inserts. The watch still runs perfectly, but the originality is gone, and with it, thousands of dollars in value. Even polishing, while sometimes requested, can soften lines and proportions that collectors care about.

A very over-polished Rolex GMT-Master. Notice the rounded edges, uneven lugs, and spring bar poking out on the bottom left. Image Source: Chrono24

Rolex will usually honor a “no polish” request if you specify it, but they almost never return replaced parts. That’s where many owners feel blindsided: hands, bezels, and dials can be swapped without warning, and the originals are kept. Servicing, in other words, isn’t just maintenance. It’s a moment where the future value of your Rolex can shift dramatically.

Water Resistance Isn’t Permanent

Image Source: Rolex

Rolex made its name on the Oyster case — the world’s first truly waterproof wristwatch. But waterproof doesn’t mean forever. Crowns get left unscrewed, gaskets degrade, and cases lose their seal.

Plenty of owners have learned this the hard way. One unscrewed crown in the pool can lead to fogged crystals and rusted movements. Even with everything buttoned down, water resistance declines over time if you skip regular testing. Rolex recommends having your watch pressure-tested periodically, especially before swimming or diving. Most owners don’t bother, assuming 100 meters of depth rating means invincibility. It doesn’t.

Image Source: Wristler

The cost of ignoring it is steep. Water intrusion can destroy a movement, leaving you with a multi-thousand-dollar repair — if it’s even possible to repair with original parts. A little prevention goes a long way.

Aftermarket Parts and Superfakes Are a Growing Problem

Real Rolex Daytona (Left) vs. High-End Superclone Rolex Daytona. Image Source: Wristcheck

The final blind spot is parts. Counterfeit Rolex watches have always existed, but what’s different now is the quality. “Superfakes” are hitting the market with parts so convincing that even seasoned collectors are fooled. Some aren’t even full fakes — they’re hybrids, genuine Rolex cases with aftermarket dials or bezels slipped in.

The danger isn’t just in buying one unknowingly. Even a single aftermarket link or dial can compromise value. Auction houses and dealers are increasingly strict, and insurance companies have used “inauthentic parts” as a reason to deny claims.

Learn more about this 'Unicorn' White Gold Daytona here. Image Source: Hodinkee

This is also where cheap aftermarket accessories come into play. A poorly made bracelet link or strap adapter can not only damage your watch but also raise red flags if you ever try to sell it. That’s why quality matters — not just in the watch itself, but in everything you attach to it.

The Real Risk Is Complacency

Hands-On with the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 in RLX Titanium

Rolex watches are durable. They can survive decades of daily wear, even outlast their original owners. But durability is not the same as invincibility. The greatest risks to your Rolex aren’t always obvious: a thief on a crowded street, an insurance clause you never read, a service center with a replacement dial, a crown that wasn’t screwed down.

None of these things have to happen, but they happen every day — 21 times a day, in fact. For Rolex owners, the best protection is awareness. Know the risks, take steps to guard against them, and don’t assume the watch on your wrist is safe just because it’s a Rolex.