Rolex: Collector's Guide with Auction Values

A genuine Rolex — the real thing, not a well-executed imitation — is one of the harder objects to price without a reference point. Rolex by Mara Cappelletti, published by Simon & Schuster, is that reference point. It's a collector's guide built around actual auction results and technical model documentation, curated by Osvaldo Patrizzi, a Senior Horological Expert whose eye for the category is both scholarly and market-tested. Whether you're sitting across from a seller at auction or adding to a collection you've been building for twenty years, this book tells you what you're looking at and what it's worth.

The focus here is authentication and valuation — two things that matter enormously when a single timepiece can represent a significant financial decision. Cappelletti and Patrizzi cover the vast majority of key Rolex models, selected specifically for technical excellence and documented auction performance. The result is a reference that works equally well for the newcomer trying to understand the landscape and the serious collector who needs hard data behind a purchase.

• Covers the vast majority of key Rolex wristwatch models, selected for technical excellence and historical significance
• Each model entry is supported by real auction result data, giving readers concrete market valuations rather than estimates
• Curated and reviewed by Osvaldo Patrizzi, a Senior Horological Expert with deep authority in luxury watch authentication
• Written by Mara Cappelletti, a recognized voice in horological scholarship and watch collecting literature
• Provides authentication guidance to help collectors and buyers verify specifications and identify period-correct details
• Serves as both an entry-level orientation to Rolex collecting and an advanced pricing reference for experienced buyers
• Published by Simon & Schuster, bringing editorial rigor to a specialized subject that often circulates only in trade publications

Care & Cleaning

Store this Rolex collector's guide flat or upright on a shelf away from direct sunlight, which can fade the cover and spine over time — a real concern for any reference book you intend to use for years. Keep it away from humidity; a dry interior shelf is better than a basement storage area. For the cover, a soft dry cloth handles dust without risk to the surface. The Simon & Schuster binding is built for repeated use, but keeping the spine from being forced flat open will extend its life considerably. A book this specific — authentication data, auction records, horological detail — holds its value on the shelf the same way a well-chosen Rolex holds its value in a collection.