2022 is coming to an end, which means it’s time for our annual year in review, where we highlight some of the biggest industry trends and stand-out moments here at Bob’s Watches. Which timepieces were the most popular, and which trends from last year endured? We pulled data from all aspects of the business, including the most expensive watch sold, which states bought the most luxury watches, and what our most popular blog posts were.
It was an exciting and busy year. Let’s take a quick look at some of the most memorable moments of 2022.
Top Watch By Model Number
Last’s years top watch sold by model number, the Submariner ref. 116610, was dethroned in 2022 by the iconic 5-digit ref. Rolex 16610, which doesn’t come as much of a surprise because, outwardly, both watches are similar in design. Both feature a 40mm case, stainless steel finish, black dial, and black bezel, a timeless combination that many avid Rolex collectors seek year after year. What sets the Submariner ref. 16610 apart from its 6-digit successor, is the older-style case and bracelet, aluminum bezel, and smaller hour markers.
Top Dial Color
Another top seller at Bob’s Watches for the past several years is the black dial, which is fitting considering the top watch sold was the Submariner 16610. Black is a popular choice because it’s so versatile and classic. Not to mention that black is also Rolex’s go-to dial color for most of the sports watches in their catalog.
Top Metal
Stainless steel watches have been among the most popular for a while now, with many consistently selling out on the retail level and commanding well over their original price to purchase one pre-owned. Much of the hype can be attributed to the fact that stainless steel is one of the most affordable and durable metal finishes on the market. However, two-tone watches are making a comeback in recent years – it will be interesting to see if the trend continues into next year.
Top Bracelet Type
The top metal was stainless steel, and the top dial color was black, both of which are hallmarks of the Submariner collection. So, the top bracelet type makes a lot of sense: the Oyster bracelet. The three-link bracelet is also a fixture of the Submariner and the rest of the Rolex catalog. It’s timeless and practical – everything many collectors seek in a great luxury watch.
Top Watch Sold By Model
The Oyster Perpetual Datejust was the top model sold this year. The iconic dress watch has been on the market since 1945 and boasts one of the most varied portfolios of any other Rolex watch. Features include multiple case sizes, metal finishes, bracelet types, and even dial colors. The Datejust is most recognized by the date mechanism at the 3-hour marker, which was the first of its kind when the model hit the market over seventy years ago. It has since become one of the most successful watches in Rolex history.
The Most Searched Watch
That brings us to the most searched watch of 2022, the GMT Master II ref. 16710. It has all the appeal of a classic pilot’s watch featuring a 24-hour bi-directional bezel and centrally-mounted GMT hand. Reference 16710 also holds an interesting place in Rolex history because it perfected upon the design of the inaugural GMT Master II ref. 16760, bringing with it a slimmer movement and case. It featured comfortable proportions and the then-newly independent GMT hand, allowing the wearer to read up to three time zones simultaneously. Ref. 16710 is a legend that continues to top many Rolex enthusiasts’ must-have lists.
The Most Expensive Rolex Sold In 2022
What is the most expensive Rolex? For us here at Bob’s Watches, that would be the platinum Daytona with an iced-out dial, which sold for a cool $212k. The Daytona we sold featured the finest metals and gems on the market, including Rolex’s proprietary 950 platinum and high quality diamonds hand-set by the brand’s in-house expert gemologists.
The Top 4 States That Purchased Luxury Watches
Sales in 2022 spanned from coast to coast, with California, Texas, Florida, and New York topping the list.
YouTube
The Bob’s Watches YouTube channel covers every aspect of watch collecting, from lesser-known watch collecting secrets to in-depth vintage watch reviews and heated debates on the industry’s hottest topics. Next, we’ll cover the top videos from our most popular YouTube playlists.
Top Inside Watches Episode
This series covers many aspects of watch collecting to help our followers build a stellar watch collection. The range of videos includes the history of some of the most sought-after timepieces to the best watch-collecting tips from industry professionals. The top episode of Inside Watches covered a rare Rolex defect that now commands a premium on the secondary market: the pateted Rolex. These watches feature a typo on the clasp reading “pateted” instead of “patented” on some 9315 Oyster bracelets produced during the 1970s.
Top Watch Talk Episode
Last year, the Bob’s Watches team sat down to discuss their top predictions for 2022. They had big hopes for the Milgauss, Air-King, and Daytona, but did any of them come true? We didn’t see the long-awaited Everose Rolesor Daytona, titanium Yacht-Master, or a new movement for the Milgauss as they predicted in the video, but Rolex did release a brand-new Air-King for 2022 via ref. 126900.
Top On The Clock Episode
Bob’s Watches welcomed the one and only Kevin O’Leary for a very special edition of On the Clock. In the episode, Bob’s Watches owner and CEO Paul Altieri sat down with O’Leary to share insight on watch investments, the secondary market, brand management, and more. Check out the full video to learn more about how to curate a valuable watch collection.
Top Vintage Of The Week Episode
Vintage of the Week is a fascinating series highlighting a different remarkable vintage luxury watch from our inventory each week. The top episode of 2022 showcased a lovely example of the GMT Master ref. 1675. The Pepsi bezel, which initially featured a rich blue and red insert, had aged over time to reveal more of a pinkish/fuchsia hue, which collectors have come to refer to as the “Pink Panther.”
Social Media
Top Tik Tok Video
With nearly 13,000 views, our Tik Tok teasing a video of the green 6-digit GMT Master II is among our top from the popular platform in 2022. The short clip featured interesting facts about the green GMT, starring variations in fullgold, two-tone, and stainless steel.
Top Instagram Reel
Our top Instagram Reel featured a brief overview of the previously mentioned episode of On the Clock starring Paul Altieri and Kevin O’Leary.
https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cbni0_Qvp5D/
Top Instagram Post
Our top Instagram post was a hit with nearly 2,000 likes. It featured a nice shot of the luxurious gold Cosmograph Daytona with a sharp black dial. The dynamic Daytona also sports a metal bezel, an Oyster bracelet with polished center links, and matching chronograph registers.
Top Blog Articles
Last but certainly not least, the Bob’s Watches blog covered some fascinating topics for 2022, including How to Spot a Fake Rolex, Pre-Owned Rolex Investments, and the age-old comparison of Rolex vs. Tudor.