Jul 13,2022
When it comes to luxury watches, Rolex is easily the world’s most famous manufacturer, and the demand for Rolex watches is so great that retailers all around the globe are completely sold out of virtually every single model that the brand produces. Additionally, it is not just the brand-new Rolex watches that are in high-demand among collectors. Many discontinued and vintage Rolex models are also hot commodities, and they frequently trade hands on the pre owned market for values that are significantly greater than their original brand-new retail prices.
With that in mind, not all Rolex watches are considered to be equal, and some models are more popular than others. So, what are the Best Rolex watches on the market right now? Read on to find out.
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on Rolex watches.
Table of Contents:
Rolex Datejust 16233
Originally released in the late 1980s, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust reference 16223 represents the first two-tone Datejust 36 watch to ever feature a sapphire crystal. Additionally, the Datejust 16233 is the best mens Rolex Watch, also the last 36mm model to offer the collection’s classic case finishing and proportions before Rolex updated the Datejust to feature thicker lugs with a completely polished finish. Less shiny than its six-digit successor, the Rolex Datejust 16233 has been experiencing a surge in popularity recently, due to the fact that it offers classic styling paired with modern worry-free amenities, such as a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and the reliable Caliber 3135 movement.
Rolex Daytona 116500LN
Since it first made an appearance back in 2016, the Rolex Daytona reference 116500LN has been one of the best Rolex watches for men in the world. Crafted from stainless steel and fitted with a black Cerachrom bezel, the Daytona 116500LN has been completely sold-out at retailers all around the globe for more than six years, and it continuously remains one of the most popular Rolex models both on the pre-owned market and at a retail level. Produced with either a black or white dial, it is often the white versions of the Rolex Daytona 116500LN that are the most popular among today’s buyers; however, both have multi-year waiting lists at retailers and they trade hands for multiple times their retail price on the pre-owned market.
Rolex Submariner 16610
The Submariner is one of Rolex’s most recognizable and popular watches. Originally designed with deep-sea divers in mind, the Submariner is strong and highly capable, featuring an Oyster case for maximum water resistance up to 300 meters. The stainless steel Rolex Submariner reference 16610 the best Rolex watch, features a handsome black dial with luminous hour markers that are easily visible in low light or unfavorable conditions. Production for this particular Submariner model lasted until 2010, when Rolex discontinued it and released an updated generation of its iconic diver’s watch that features significantly thicker lugs, broader hands, larger hour markers, and a Cerachrom ceramic bezel. Now that the Rolex Submariner 16610 has been discontinued for over a decade, there are many collectors who are interested in the model because if offers a distinctly different aesthetic from the modern Submariner watches that Rolex produces today, while still benefiting from modern features such as a scratch resistant sapphire crystal, unidirectional timing bezel, and rock-solid Caliber 3135 movement.
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO
Much like the Rolex Daytona 116500LN, the current stainless steel “Pepsi” GMT-Master II reference 126710BLRO has been completely sold out at authorized dealers all around the world, ever since it was first unveiled back in 2018. Although Rolex has been fitting Cerachrom bezels to the GMT-Master II collection since 2005, the 2018 release of the Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO marked the first time that a stainless steel version of the brand’s legendary pilot’s watch was available with a ceramic bezel in the collection’s original red and blue “Pepsi” colorway. The black and blue “Batman” version of the GMT-Master II (ref. 126710BLNR) is also extremely popular, but it remains the classic red and blue “Pepsi” version that is the single hottest model from the the current Rolex GMT-Master II collection for men.
Rolex Day-Date 228238
As Rolex’s flagship line of watches, the Day-Date collection is exclusively crafted from either solid 18 karat gold or 950 platinum. It is a truly iconic timepiece that is instantly recognizable all around the world, and it is universally synonymous with success and exclusivity. Since the Rolex Day-Date first appeared in 1956, its core design has remained largely unchanged. Rolex currently offers a larger 40mm version of the Day-Date in addition to the classic 36mm sized model, and when it comes to the hottest Rolex President watch on the market right now, it is easily the Day-Date 40 reference 228238. Crafted entirely from solid 18k yellow gold, the Rolex Day-Date 228238 is the current-production version of the larger sized yellow gold Day-Date watch, and it features a 40mm case, fluted bezel, and the brand’s iconic President bracelet. The Rolex Day-Date President is a consistent favorite among professional athletes and celebrities, and you can frequently spot the 18k yellow gold Rolex Day-Date 228238 on their wrists in their personal lives.
Rolex Submariner 116613
The Rolex Submariner reference 116613 is the two-tone version of the previous generation of Submariner watches that is offered in either black (ref. 116613LN) or blue (ref. 116613LB). Crafted from stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, the reference 116613 features the wider and more angular design of contemporary Submariner watches, and it also comes complete with a bezel made from Rolex’s proprietary Cerachrom ceramic material. Part of the reason why a lot of collectors and enthusiasts have been gravitating towards the Submariner 116613 recently is because it offers an overall aesthetic that is very similar to the current-production model, yet it can often be found at a more affordable price. Since the two steel and gold Rolex dive watch models look near-identical from across the room, it is easy to understand why the Rolex Submariner 116613 is so popular among buyers on the secondary market.