rolex yacht master platinum dial discontinued

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Making the case: The Rolex Yacht-Master is the most versatile collection of all their ‘Professional’ models

For most, the day after Christmas is Boxing Day. But, for some professional sailors, December 26 marks the beginning of the  Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. Organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, the race, which was first held in 1945, and has been sponsored by Rolex since 2002, consists of yachts ranging from 30 feet (9.14 metres) to 100 feet (30.48 metres), with crews both professional and Corinthian, racing through 628-nautical miles (1,163 kilometres) of open water. It is an absolutely gruelling race in which merely completing it is a massive accomplishment. But, I am no sailor myself. So when I heard about the race, my mind immediately wandered to the Rolex Yacht-Master.

As I sat pondering the collection, I began to think about just how underrated the Yacht-Master is compared to other “Professional” Rolex references like the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT Master II. So today I want to make the case that the Yacht-Master is not only massively underrated, but also the most versatile collection of all the “Professional” models. Normally in the Making The Case  column, we present arguments for and against. But, this time around I will make my case by highlighting five Yacht-Master watches (four currently in production, and one discontinued model that is readily available on the secondary market) that, at least in my mind, show why the argument for my case is quite strong.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42

Previously, the Yacht-Master 42 was only available in stealthy white gold. At Watches & Wonders Geneva 2022, Rolex finally introduced not only a yellow gold Yacht-Master 42, but also the first yellow gold Yacht-Master ever outfitted on an Oysterflex rubber bracelet. Lately many manufactures have been ignoring yellow gold, sticking with rose and white gold only. This is due to the fact that, in some eyes, yellow gold is considered dated. While some say dated, I say classic. It is hard to beat the purity of yellow gold. Ultimately buyers now have the best of both worlds, you can get the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold if you want to fly under the radar or in yellow gold if being a casual “G” is your vibe. Fingers crossed though that a stainless-steel Yacht-Master 42, or even a RLX Titanium version which we have already seen a prototype of, makes its debut in 2023.

Rolex Yacht-Master 37/40 Everose Gold

But Zach, what about rose gold? What if 42mm is too big for my wrist.  Well, you are in luck. Not only is the Yacht-Master available in an Everose case, but also in 37mm and 40mm sizes. The Everose model has yet to make the jump to 42mm, but the 37mm and 40mm configurations are every bit as up to spec as the 42mm. It utilises Rolex’s latest in-house automatic 3235 calibre with 70 hours of power reserve, it is also outfitted on the super comfortable Oysterflex bracelet, it follows the same visual theme with a fully polished case and stealthy matte black ceramic timing bezel, and it has a trip-lock screw-down crown secured Oyster case that is equally pledged with a depth rating of 100 metres – but could likely survive even greater depths. So, within this format you have three precious metal options and three case diameters. And the precious meets casual nature of being outfitted on a rubber bracelet makes the aesthetic, along with its size options, highly versatile.

Rolex Yacht-Master 37/40 Oystersteel and Platinum

But Zach, precious metal is totally out of my budget.  Well, while we wait for an Oysterflex-fitted Yacht-Master to be executed in steel or titanium, you still have Oystersteel and platinum options to work with as well. Available in 37mm and 40mm, on mixed finished oyster bracelets rather than on Oysterflex, the examples above are primarily made of 904L stainless steel. The platinum comes into play with the timing bezel, the insert made entirely of platinum. The gray ruthenium dial offers a really cool monochromatic look, broken ever so slightly by the turquoise Yacht-Master text and central lollipop seconds hand. If you are a New York Giants fan, or just simply prefer a more common blue dial with a pop of red, the configuration on your right is also available to explore. Both also utilise the 3235 movement as well.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold Falcon’s Eye

Rolex is known for incremental change, and, for the most part, a sombreness befitting of their reputation for incredibly solid robust performance watches. But, in the modern era, as Rolex has skewed away from utility towards full-blown luxury, the Crown has begun to experiment a bit more. Sure, we have crazy pave dials, ombre dials, and rainbow Daytonas. But, the quietly released Yacht-Master 42 with a “Falcon’s Eye” dial shows just how strong their dial-manufacturing capabilities are. Many jested Rolex stole a page out of Grand Seiko’s playbook, with nature-inspired palm tree-motif dials on the Datejust. But this “Falcon’s Eye” dial is much more apt example of how Rolex can transform natural elements into an astoundingly cool looking dial. So, for those that need something out of the box, the Yacht-Master 42 is capable of such thrills as well.

Rolex Yacht-Master 35 ref. 168622 with platinum dial

While discontinued, older 29mm, 31mm, and 35mm Yacht-Master watches are also available for purchase as well – and for less than the retail pricing of a current 37mm model in Oystersteel and platinum. This means you have five size options on the table. To explore references like the Daytona and Submariner in their discontinued smaller sizes would require a large-budget worthy of bidding against serious collectors at auction houses like Phillips. A particular Yacht-Master favourite of mine is the ref. 168622 with a platinum dial. Yes, you read that right, the entire dial is made of solid frosted platinum. While the case and bracelet may be steel, the bezel and dial are full-platinum – very stealthy precious metal thrills. I also cannot recall another Rolex dial that utilises a frosted finish. Quite neat.

My closing statement

So, with six size options that can be explored, and a wide aesthetic range, the Rolex Yacht-Master offers the most versatility within the pantheon of Rolex “Professional” models. Prove me wrong.

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List Of Rolex Watches Discontinued At Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 Including Every Yacht-Master II

As always, new Rolex releases bring the quiet discontinuation of Rolex watches, and Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024 is no different. Here’s a quick look at the watches Rolex discontinued from April 09, 2024.

Rolex Daytona Le Mans 126529LN

One of the most collectible and rare Rolex watches right from the moment when it was released in June 2023 , the Rolex Daytona “Le Mans” reference 126529LN was always destined to be unobtainable for the overwhelming majority of VIP customers of the brand. In a rather shocking development, Rolex drops it from its collection after less than a year, as the Rolex Daytona Le Mans was in production just from June 2023 until April 2024. Basically, it is a Daytona in 18k white gold with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel with a red “100” marker in honor of the centenary of Le Mans. In other words, the Rolex 126529LN was produced just for the centenary of this legendary race, and no longer. It is back in 18k yellow gold for 2024.

Rolex Datejust 36 126200 & 126233 With A Palm Dial & Fluted Dial

The Rolex Datejust 36 reference 126200 with so-called Palm dials and Fluted dials also got the axe for 2024. These laser-etched dials were beautifully made as they displayed depth and fascinating light-plays between their bright and dark surfaces. They well and truly were a tour de force of Rolex’s in-house manufacturing know-how, and are discontinued after just 3 years in production for the Rolex Datejust 36 Palm dials and Rolex Datejust 36 Fluted dials.

The Entire Rolex Yacht-Master II Collection

It is extremely rare for Rolex to drop an entire collection, and such a development is all the more surprising for a watch fitted with an expensively developed, fully bespoke movement. The Rolex Yacht-Master II is such a watch, as its Rolex 4161 caliber with its programmable countdown regatta chronograph operated through a crown, two pushers, and a Ring Command is as quirky as they could ever get not just in the world of Rolex, but in the world of luxury watchmaking in general. This is to say that we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Yacht-Master II or its 4161 caliber return at some point. The Yacht-Master II was updated a few years ago with the Rolex “Professional” style handset replacing the straight hands that debuted on the piece in 2007, but the collection was otherwise left largely untouched by Rolex, other than dropping the 18k white gold reference 116689 in 2022.

These are the most important and notable discontinuation news of Rolex watches for 2024. We will keep our eyes out for others that might have slipped through, but Rolex axing the laser-etched dials on the Datejust 36, dropping the Yacht-Master II collection in its entirety, and producing the Rolex Daytona “Le Mans” for such a brief period in the brand’s history is big news for 2024. You can learn more at the brand’s website. 

A buying guide to most popular Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Guide To Popular Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Rolex debuted the Yacht-Master watch in 1992 as a luxury sports watch crafted in precious gold yet durable enough for an active life at sea. The nautical-inspired Rolex watch featured a rotating timing bezel, a water-resistance rating of 100 meters, and a time and date dial. The Yacht-Master shared many design traits with the famed Submariner watch—such as a similar dial layout, case silhouette, and bracelet style—but it was a touch more luxurious thanks to its own set of design details. Over the course of its history, the Rolex Yacht-Master collection has expanded into a varied lineup with watches offered in several sizes, materials, and colors. Here’s a guide to some of the most popular Rolex Yacht-Master watches, ranging from discontinued models to current-production ones.

Where it all began:

The very first Yacht-Master model that Rolex released was a full yellow gold version. It sported a 40mm yellow gold case, a yellow gold rotating bezel with raised numerals, and a yellow gold three-link Oyster bracelet. Two years later in 1994, Rolex followed it up with two other yellow gold models—a ladies’ 29mm version and a midsize 35mm version. While Rolex no longer produces full yellow gold Yacht-Master models, they remain popular in the secondary market.

In 2015, Rolex introduced the very first Everose gold (the brand’s own rose gold pink alloy) Yacht-Master. However, rather than a full gold model, the Everose gold Yacht-Master models (available in 40mm and 37mm) included black ceramic bezels with raised numerals and a brand new black rubber-clad metal band called the Oysterflex bracelet. Dial options include sleek black and lavish diamond-paved. It’s also worth mentioning that there are some rare Everose gold Yacht-Master 40 models furnished with rotating bezels set with multi-colored precious gems (diamond, sapphire, and tsavorite). 

Here is a flamboyant version of it of the Everose gold Yacht-Master 40:

Finally, in 2019, Rolex released the first white gold Yacht-Master watch. Not only is this the only white gold Yacht-Master model ever made, but with its 42mm case, it is also the largest. 

Similar to the Everose gold model, the white gold Yacht-Master is fitted with a black ceramic bezel and black Oysterflex bracelet, along with a black dial. 

Prices (current collection):

• Everose Gold Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268655: $23,250 - 41,000
• Everose Gold Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126655: $27,300 – 47,150
• White Gold Yacht-Master 40 ref. 226659: $28,900

Rolesium Rolex Yacht-Master Models

In 1999, Rolex presented a new metal combination the brand called Rolesium, which brings together stainless steel and platinum on one watch. Like the yellow gold models, the Rolesium Yacht-Master models were offered in 40mm, 35mm, and 29mm versions. 

Regardless of the size, all the watches include stainless steel cases, stainless steel Oyster bracelets, and platinum rotating bezels with raised numerals. Particular popular versions of the Rolesium Yacht-Master watches are those with sandblasted platinum dials—although discontinued, these platinum dial Yacht-Masters are still widely available in the pre-owned market. 

Currently, Rolex still makes steel and platinum Yacht-Master watches. However, size options have been scaled down to 40mm and 37mm since Rolex stopped making 29mm or 35mm versions of the Yacht-Master around 2015. The Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 offers the choice between a rhodium gray or a blue dial while the Rolesium Yacht-Master 37 only comes with a rhodium gray dial. 

Prices (current collection): 

• Rolesium Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268622: $11,250
• Rolesium Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622: $12,000

Rolesor Rolex Yacht-Master Models

Rolesor is the term Rolex gives to its models that mix gold and steel details—better known as two-tone watches. The first two-tone Yacht-Master watches, which featured steel cases topped with yellow gold bezels and steel Oyster bracelets with yellow gold center links, were launched in the mid-1990s. However, Rolesor Yacht-Master watches were first only offered in midsize (35mm) and ladies (29mm) sizes. The men’s 40mm two-tone yellow gold and stainless steel Yacht-Master joined the lineup in the early 2000s. Rolex stopped making yellow gold and steel Yacht-Master models a few years back but the brand has replaced them with another Rolesor option—two-tone Everose gold and steel ones. The current-production two-tone Yacht-Master models include stainless steel cases topped with Everose gold bezels and stainless steel Oyster bracelets with Everose gold center links. The Everose Rolesor models are available with 40mm or 37mm cases and both sizes offer the option between a black or brown dial. 

• Everose Rolesor Yacht-Master 37 ref. 268621: $13,150 
• Everose Rolesor Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126621: $14,500

In less than three decades, the Yacht-Master has grown to become Rolex’s most diverse sports watch collection, offering a vast assortment of sizes and styles for both men and women. From the discontinued models to the current-production ones, the Yacht-Master’s distinct combination of luxury and robustness has paved the way for its enduring popularity.

Find out more:

To find out more about which Rolex hold their value you can read more of our guides where we cover all Rolex Nicknames or our classic guide to the Day Date models and our comparision with their sister brand: Rolex vs Tudor .

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The Watch Of The Open Seas: History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

Instagram: @rolex

In the year 1992, Swiss watchmaker Rolex would debut a new model line at the Baselworld show that was strikingly similar to the already-popular Submariner. It featured the same 40mm Oyster case with a rotating bezel, the same chronometer-certified caliber, and the same Oyster bracelet.

Seemingly the only difference between the two was the white dial of that first Yacht-Master, a style which has never been an option on a Sub, and the inferior depth rating of 100m when compared to the Sub’s 300m.

Yet, the Yacht-Master was well-received upon launch, and with the passing of time, the yachting-inspired model has evolved and pioneered its own path within Rolex’s catalog.

Read on with us as we go back to the beginning and track the catalysts that paved the way for the most recent Yacht-Master release, the Yacht-Master 42 (226659), to become one of the hottest sports timepieces of the year.

History Of The Rolex Yacht-Master

We’ve broken down our overview of the Yacht-Master into the following segments:

• Release Of The Yacht-Master

The Submariner/Yacht-Master Theory

• Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master
• Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The Maxi Dial Yacht-Master

• Two-Tone Rolesor Yacht-Master

The Yacht-Master II

• Six-Digit Yacht-Master

The Oysterflex Yacht-Master

Keep scrolling to read this guide from its beginning, or use the links above to jump down to a specific point.

Browse Bob’s Watches Rolex Catalogue

The Release Of The Yacht-Master

The first Yacht-Master watch was launched in 1992 under reference number 16628. It featured a yellow gold case, a bidirectional graduated bezel, and a matching full-gold Oyster bracelet. Its dial was white with black hour indices, while at center were gold Mercedes hands, and beating inside was the 3135 movement.

Rolex ref. 16628. Instagram: @m_j_watches

Previous to the Yacht-Master’s introduction, Rolex had not released a new model line in a quarter century. So, why did they go with the Yacht-Master, a design that risked being a detractor from their existing Submariner? Let’s take a look at the inspiration.

The sport of yachting is one which demands precise timing and extreme coordination of the entire crew for optimal performance, particularly in offshore competitions.

Prototype Daytona Yacht-Master ref. 6239. Image: Christies.com

Rolex believed their waterproof and chronometer-grade timepieces to be more than qualified to handle the knocks of a regatta and keep ticking accurately. The brand is also notorious for their marketing prowess, which led them to act quickly in establishing an association with the sport.

Beginning in 1958 with their first sponsorship of a race, the relationship has endured until today, when the brand sponsors over a dozen international yachting events.

Nevertheless, it’s hard to deny that there exists a large gap between first contact in 1958 and the release of the yacht-inspired timepiece in the early ’90s. Why wasn’t the Yacht-Master released earlier on?

Well, Rolex played around with the idea of yachting chronograph early on, though it never materialized. All that’s left of these trials are an extremely limited number of Daytona ref. 6239 chronograph prototypes with a 39mm case (vs standard 36mm) and modified regatta dials.

Unfortunately, the Yacht-Master concept was scrapped and would not reappear until decades later.

When it did return, none of the previous Yacht-Master’s DNA was there. Furthermore, the 1992 Yacht-Master was bizarrely similar to the 16610 Sub of the time.

Interestingly enough, Rolex folklore tells of a time in the ’80s when the brand sought to update their Submariner . What resulted was less of an update and more of an overhaul, manifested as what we know now as the first Yacht-Master.

Apprehensive of the repercussions that making such aggressive design changes to their staple offering could bring, the brand chose instead to release the watch intended to be a new Submariner as the reborn Yacht-Master instead.

The move worked, and the new Yacht-Masters started flying off the shelves. The Yacht-Master was perceived as a more luxurious Sub, though its bidirectional bezel proved useful for on-the-fly countdowns which are critical in sailing competitions. The waterproof nature of the Oyster case further cemented the Yacht-Master as the ideal first mate.

Mid-Size & Ladies’ Yacht-Master

In 1994, just two years after the debut of the 16628, Rolex would introduce the same design but in smaller case sizes. These were:

• Ref. 68628: Yacht-Master “Mid-Size” in 35mm
• Ref. 69628: Yacht-Master Ladies’ in 29mm

This marked the first time that Rolex ever offered one of their sports models in a smaller case size; all previous instances of case size changes were increases as opposed to reductions. It has been speculated that the smaller cases were intended for the Asian market.

Yacht-Master ref. 16628. Instagram: @thewatchcentre

In the same year, Rolex also offered the same 16628 but this time with a deep blue dial. Blue dials tend to make for broadly-liked watches, and coupled with the gold case and bracelet, the new version was once again a hit.

The Platinum (Rolesium) Yacht-Master

The next update to the model line would come in 1999 with yet another home-run: the Rolesium Yacht-Master. The new watch featured a stainless steel case and bracelet with a platinum dial and platinum-insert bezel. Rolesium, a term registered by Rolex back in the ’30s for a combination of steel and platinum in a watch, was finally put to use.

The new platinum Yacht-Master ref. 16622 was not only more accessible than the previous all-gold varieties, it was also more versatile. This would lead the 16622 variety to become the face of the Yacht-Master line.

In fact, many online resources erroneously label it the first Yacht-Master ever; this should offer an idea of how emblematic it is in the watch industry.

The 16622 also presented a new dial and hand style that would mark Rolex as a whole through to the modern day. The new Yacht-Master boasted what is now recognized as the “maxi dial”.

Rolex Yacht-Master 16628 w/ maxi dial. Instagram: @kellokonttori

The maxi dial is characterized by oversized hour indices as well as larger hands at center. To the untrained eye, the difference may be difficult to spot, though experienced collectors will note the change instantly.

The maxi dial became the style of choice for all modern Rolex sports watches, though it got its start in the 1999 platinum Yacht-Master. A Submariner would first feature a maxi dial in 2003, with the release of the 50th anniversary Rolex Submariner “Kermit” (16610LV).

All versions of the Yacht-Master produced after the introduction of the maxi dial would also feature the new dial design. This included the blue, gold, and white dial versions from years past.

The Two-Tone (Rolesor) Yacht-Master

Six years after the Rolesium Yacht-Master came to be, Rolex would once more put on display their mixed-metal Rolesor style in the two-tone Yacht-Master 16623.

Yacht-Master ref. 16623. Instagram: @v.davidofftimepieces

The 2005 debuts possessed a 40mm steel case, a yellow gold bidirectional bezel, and a two-tone Oyster bracelet. As far as dials, many of the previous styles were also available like the black-on-white, though mother of pearl version were also introduced.

It was during Baselworld 2007 when Rolex would introduce the Yacht-Master’s younger and much larger sibling, the Yacht-Master II. Whereas the original Yacht-Master was very close functionally to the Sub, the Yacht-Master II was completely the opposite.

It can be said that the only overlap between the YM and the YMII is be the name, as the second iteration looks like a whole new watch. This time, though, it’s clear that the watch has been designed with the needs of yachting professionals in mind.

The first Yacht-Master II were marked by a 44mm Oyster case, an Oyster bracelet, a white dial,  and a blue Cerachrom (ceramic) Ring Command bezel. The first two references, 116688 and 116689, were made of yellow gold and white gold, respectively.

Powering the YMII was another innovation – Rolex’s in-house calibre 4161. It features the COSC-chronometer certification and 72-hour power reserve that are today’s standard, though they were industry-leading at the time. Most notable, though, was the 4161 movement’s functions.

The new caliber boasted a “ programmable countdown with mechanical memory and on-the-fly synchronization. ” Naturally, the programming of the movement required the use of the Ring Command bezel, a feature which had also never been encountered on a Rolex watch before.

In later years, Rolex would go on to release Rolesor and full-steel versions of the Yacht-Master II, both of which have been relatively successful. The Yacht-Master II has certainly earned a spot in the brand’s catalog, and is sure to stick around for next couple of decades.

The Six-Digit Yacht-Master

Yacht-Master 116622

Twenty years after it debuted as the 16628, the Yacht-Master would see in 2012 the modernization that had been sweeping Rolex’s other model families.

Aside from receiving a new six-digit reference number (116622), subtle aesthetic changes were also present, as was an outstanding new dial option – the Cobalt Blue dial.

The case was now a “super case”, which retained the 40mm diameter but was styled differently. The bezel was now completely platinum, where previous versions were made of steel with a platinum insert. The Oyster bracelet had likewise been upgraded.

A platinum bezel / platinum dial option was still part of the collection and therefore received the same upgrades. Unfortunately, this iconic “albino” look would be completely discontinued in 2017.

The subsequent and most recent significant change to the Yacht-Master family took place in 2015, when Rolex first introduced the Everose Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655.

Rolex Everose Yacht-Master on Oysterflex bracelet

The newest iteration of the YM possessed some new features. The case was made of Everose, and the bezel now boasted a black Cerachrom insert. Securing the watch to the wrist was another Rolex first – the Oysterflex rubber ‘bracelet’.

Before the 116655, no Rolex watch had ever sported a rubber band. The brand still refers to it as a bracelet given the metal elements within the band, but these are not obvious even with the watch in the hand.

This same style of Yacht-Master would receive the next update in 2019, when Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold.

What’s Next?

With the recent changes that the Yacht-Master line has had, it is clear that Rolex intends to keep this model family alive and well for years to come. Consumers are likewise responding to each new release, offering plenty of feedback with their pocketbooks.

If you’d like to read up on any of Rolex’s other model families, make sure to check out some of our extensive watch guides below:

• History Of The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
• Overview Of The Most Luxurious Pilot’s Watch: The GMT-Master
• How Did The Day-Date Become The President’s Watch?
• Review Of Rolex’s Longest Running Watch Model
• Rolex Watches That Could Become The Investment Of A Lifetime

"I have always been a fan of the Yacht-Master, but I had no idea that it didn't exist until the 1990s. Thanks for the information, and thanks for keeping it entertaining. Well done!"

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The Complete Guide to Rolex Watches: Every Model for Sale in 2024

Everything you need to know about Rolex’s current watch lineup, including prices, provenance and more.

By Johnny Brayson , Jack Seemer , Zen Love , Oren Hartov , and Allen Farmelo

Buyers new to Rolex face mountains of information, both current and historical. Hell, even ardent fans have trouble keeping up. As of 2024, Rolex makes hundreds of individual references, divided into over a dozen different collections:

Rolex Submariner

Rolex gmt-master ii, rolex cosmograph daytona, rolex sea-dweller, rolex deepsea, rolex explorer, rolex explorer ii, rolex air-king, rolex yacht-master, rolex oyster perpetual, rolex datejust, rolex day-date, rolex sky-dweller.

Editor’s Note: The above taxonomy is Rolex’s own. For our purposes, we’ve separated the Explorer and Explorer II, as they’re two very different watches and occupy unique positions in Rolex’s overall lineup.

Classic vs. Professional: What’s the Difference?

If those collections weren’t enough to keep track of, each one falls into one of two major categories: Classic and Professional .

In the simplest of terms, think of Rolex’s Classic watches — which include the Day-Date, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, Sky-Dweller and 1908 — as dressier timepieces designed for everyday wear. They weren’t developed for a specific professional pursuit, such as diving.

The Professional watches — which include the Submariner, Air-King, GMT-Master II, Yacht-Master, Cosmograph Daytona, Sea-Dweller, Deepsea and Explorer — were developed for a specific purpose, be it SCUBA diving , driving , spelunking , etc.

It’s important to note that while a certain number of the Professional watches do include specific functionality and increased water resistance , the Classic watches are no less well-built. After all, you’ll find the Sky-Dweller , currently Rolex’s most complicated watch , housed within the Classic collection.

So for readers ready to make the leap, here’s everything you need to know about each current Rolex men’s watch, including its history and features.

Rolex, Blancpain and Zodiac were neck and neck in releasing the first dive watches with rotating bezels. However, when in 1953 Rolex put an external diving bezel on a more robust version of its already famously water-resistant Oyster Perpetual, kept the automatic winding in place, and added a sturdy adjustable bracelet, the most iconic and important dive watch in history was born. (Rolex, however, was prevented from implementing a unidirectional dive bezel for years due to possible patent infringement.)

It wasn’t really until the 1980s, however, that the Sub became the fashionable item it is now, largely due to preppy folks sporting them as an assertion of an active lifestyle that, more likely, revolved around cocktails at the yacht club. Alas, tool watches became fashion items during this decade, and the rest is horological history.

Rolex understood that its Submariner had ascended from tool to jewel, and so gold, two-tone, and even diamond-encrusted versions cropped up during the decade of materialism. Today, however, it’s the plain steel models that are impossible to come by at retail and which sell for as much as 25 percent above retail among enthusiasts, while gold models are much less sought after. It’s a strange phenomenon, but people around the world are clamoring for steel Subs.

When Pan American Airlines ruled the trans-Atlantic skies in the 1950s, Rolex designed the original GMT-Master for their pilots, who needed to track multiple time zones simultaneously. In 1982, the Crown upgraded to the GMT-Master II — a new movement and an independently adjustable local hour hand turned out to be big hits as steel and gold models asserted a pitch-perfect jet-setting attitude.

Plenty of folks knew to rock a Rolex Submariner for maximum panache but rocking a GMT-Master II was a slyly stylish move that demonstrated the owner’s uniqueness. To this day, the GMT-Master II emits a reserved eccentricity.

In 2007, Rolex put out an improved GMT-Master II with a ceramic Cerachrom bezel and a new movement that hosted a suite of modern updates. Since then, it’s been all about metal and color combos, which are judiciously and painfully released at a rate of about one a year.

In 2023, however, Rolex delivered something different: Yellow-gold and two-tone versions of the GMT-Master II, with material-matching jubilee bracelets and black-and-gray bezels. The brand followed that up in 2024 with an Oystersteel version featuring the same black-and-gray bezel (minus the gold accents), available on either a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet at launch.

We doubt the release will do anything to dampen the popularity of the older steel varieties — namely, the “Batman” (blue and black) and “Pepsi” (blue and red). However, getting your hands on a coveted steel GMT-Master II at retail is extremely difficult, if not entirely impossible.

Before the 1960s, Rolex housed third-party chronograph movements in Oyster cases. Then the company upped the case size, redesigned the dial and put out the space-age-sounding “Cosmograph.” Shortly thereafter, when the Crown sponsored races at Florida’s famous beach-side track and put its name on the dial, the legend of the Rolex Daytona was born — though not to much fanfare. That would come later.

Paul Newman’s wife bought him one with a creamy Bauhaus-inspired exotic dial — now called the “Newman” dial — and the famed actor casually gave it to his son-in-law (sometime in the 1980s), who auctioned it off for more than $17 million in 2017. That made this once humble and unpopular Daytona variant one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold.

The auction transformed what was already becoming an increasingly coveted watch into a crazed run on all Daytonas, old and new. Now you can hardly get one at retail, especially in all stainless steel, and the used market for Daytonas of any era in any style or metal with any dial has gone completely berserk. Like so many steel Professional models, the Daytona remains in demand and sells far above retail on the secondary market — a remarkable result for what was initially an unremarkable watch.

Since 2023, the Daytona has carried a new movement, 4131, which succeeded the 4130 that debuted in 2000 when Rolex first brought its movements in-house. To see it in all its glory, look no further than the platinum version of the watch (reference 126506), which has a unique (for Rolex) exhibition caseback.

Also launched in 2023 was the Daytona “Le Mans” ref. 126529LN. Created for the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the watch was executed in white gold with a red “100” on the bezel, an exhibition caseback and a custom movement that tracked 24 hours of the chronograph instead of 12. Most remarkable of all, its reverse panda dial featured the unexpected return of the “Paul Newman” style with its unique subdials. The watch quickly became the most hyped modern Rolex before being unceremoniously discontinued in 2024, just ten months after its initial release. An off-catalog yellow gold version has taken its place, though Rolex isn’t exactly advertising that fact.

As SCUBA matured beyond surface-level military and recreational uses, commercial, research, and exploratory techniques were developed to go deeper for longer. The Sea-Dweller was Rolex’s answer to the demands for watches capable of withstanding the pressure of these deeper dives. In 1967 upon its initial release, the Sea-Dweller was rated to a depth of 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) and was the first watch to incorporate a helium escape valve, a nifty feature for saturation dives that allows helium to escape the watch without damaging it.

The Sea-Dweller is essentially a beefed-up Submariner, but that beefing up shouldn’t be taken lightly: Rolex had to entirely re-engineer the case, the crystal, the case back and more to get this kind of water resistance, so while the Sea-Dweller resembles the Submariner on the outside, the guts are a different animal. Waterproofness in nano-scale wristwatches has turned out to provide useful tech that can be ported over to small submarines, cameras and other scientific tools that are plumbing the depths of our largely unexplored oceans. Rolex often backs those scientific expeditions, linking the watch and the brand to the essence of professional SCUBA diving.

Introduced in 2007, the Deepsea is Rolex’s most extreme dive watch with a mind-boggling depth rating of 3,900m. For most of its life it was categorized as part of the Sea-Dweller family until 2024, when it was spun off as its own independent line. Marking that transition in 2024 is the yellow-gold reference 136668LB , an absolutely absurd watch that clocks in at over half a pound and is likely the heaviest watch Rolex makes. It’s the only Rolex to feature a mix of gold, ceramic (for the bezel) and titanium (utilized for the caseback and helium escape valve because gold would fail at the pressures the watch is rated to withstand).

The Deepsea line is small, consisting only of two steel versions and the aforementioned gold. There’s also the Deepsea Challenge , which still maintains Sea-Dweller branding but is classified as a Deepsea. More experiment than everyday watch, it’s based on the prototype that accompanied James Cameron to the bottom of the Mariana Trench and is water resistant to 11,000m, the depth of the trench and a record among commercially available watches. The watch measures a whopping 50mm across and 23mm thick, but its RLX titanium construction — it was Rolex’s first-ever titanium watch — helps keep its weight down.

Contrary to popular belief, Sir Edmund Hillary was in fact not wearing a Rolex Explorer when he conquered Everest in 1953. It was allegedly a watch from British brand Smiths that he wore at the summit, while an experimental Oyster Perpetual provided by Rolex is said to have been stashed away in his gear.

Nevertheless, the feat ushered in a new Oyster Perpetual model called the Explorer with a larger case size (36mm as opposed to 34mm or smaller), which Rolex sold to a new wave of mid-century mountaineering enthusiasts. The Explorer went on to become an “entry-level” Rolex sports model due only to price, and it remains in that position to this day.

Like all Rolex models, the Explorer has gone through many permutations, including more modern iterations like the 14270 (1989-2001), now popular among vintage collectors because its tritium luminescence has finally turned beige.

As of 2023, the watch is the biggest it’s ever been, measuring 40mm in diameter and bringing it even closer to next watch on our list, the Explorer II. If you prefer to keep things historically accurate, however, a 36mm version of the Explorer, reintroduced in 2021, is also available.

A spelunking watch? That’s right. The boldly luminescent 24-hour GMT hand was included to help those living in caves keep track of day and night. While spelunking isn’t exactly a popular sport, the Explorer II became a rather popular watch among those who love a cool design and GMT functionality.

Offered today with either a black or white (“polar”) dial, the Explorer II came out in 1971 in order to “perpetuate the privileged relationship Rolex shares with exploration,” according to current marketing materials. However, the spelunking history is largely forgotten as the watch increasingly serves as a tool for adventurers of all kinds. (The more recent editions — unlike the original — feature fully functional true GMT movements, so the watches can be used for tracking second time zones.)

Though the Explorer II went from a tasty 40mm case up to a 42mm Super case in 2011, the reference 216570 was intended to celebrate the original design of 1971, which amounts to an orange GMT hand in the “correct” arrow shape. Those two extra millimeters don’t feel significant on the wrist, however, and only seem noticeable when compared directly with a 40mm model.

Like The Explorer, the Air-King had existed as the Oyster Perpetual for a long while before Rolex printed “Air-King” on the dial and began marketing it to a new set of post-WWII jet setters — men who adored and imitated the former war pilots now flying jumbo jets across the Atlantic. Released in 1945, Rolex’s new model caught that wave of enthusiasm for the future, and nothing at that moment said “future” like beautiful commercial jets that turned a weekend jaunt across the ocean to Paris, Rome or London into a reality.

Today’s model is 40mm across and carries one of the most divisive dials in Rolex’s catalog. Admittedly, the intermittent hour and minute markers on the modern Air-King — which are inspired by dashboard instruments — are visually unique (for some, jarring), as are the touches of green and yellow. It’s the only Rolex watch to feature the colored logo style on its dial. For 2022, the Air-King got a thorough refresh with the latest movement, design tweaks and, most notably, a new Oyster case featuring crown guards — giving the new Air-King a unique feature set among the brand’s collections.

For today’s Rolex enthusiasts, the Air-King is positioned at the periphery of the Professional series watches. However, you can (theoretically) get an Air-King at retail relatively easily, and that’s almost impossible to say of any other all steel model on the Professional side of the catalog. A bird in hand beats two in the bush.

By the 1980s, the Rolex Submariner had come out in gold, and preppy folks around the world were rocking them as status symbols. Rolex kind of punched the preppy class on the nose with the all-gold Yacht Master of 1992. Interestingly, the Yacht Master’s evolution has been one of increased sportiness and reduced bling since its release — not the common direction for Rolex’s evolution. The toning down of glamor and upping of ruggedness has made the Yacht-Master a bit of a sleeper model in the Rolex catalog, but it is every bit as capable as the Submariner, which it resembles.

In 1999, Rolex offered the Yacht-Master in platinum and steel “Rolesium” (reference 16622), and from there it’s been an endless riffing on precious metal combinations. Though we’ve yet to see an all-stainless steel variant (and likely never will), rumors of a titanium Yacht-Master finally came to fruition in 2023 with the release of reference 226627 .

Today’s Yacht-Master is available in 37mm, 40mm and 42mm sizes, making it the most diverse of the brand’s Professional lineup, and the watch carries all the latest Rolex technology inside and out. Distinguishing features include the “relief” bezel in ceramic or precious metal, depending on the model, and the optional Oysterflex rubber strap, which is surprisingly luxurious and durable on the wrist.

In many ways, this is the watch that launched Rolex as the king of industrial watchmaking. The “OP” was, upon its release in 1950, both highly water-resistant and automatically wound, a first-time combo. “Perpetual” refers not to it being always wound but to its rotor swinging 360 degrees around a central axis — so, perpetually winding (despite it only winding in one direction). But none of that matters much to end users, who adore these waterproof watches for their durability and midcentury, function-forward appearance.

The Oyster Perpetual has perpetually (no pun intended) been in production since then, and this model formed the basis for most other Rolex models, including the famous Submariner, the Explorer, the Air-King, the Datejust and the Day-Date. Today’s Oyster Perpetual comes in many sizes and colors and was generally one of the few Rolex models readily available at retail. (That is, such was the case until the release of a crop of brightly colored dials in 2020 — now some OPs, like the Turquoise version , can be as tough to track down as a Sub or a GMT-Master II.)

With no date, no cyclops, no complications, no fluted gold bezel, and a sleek polished and brushed case and matching bracelet, the “OP” is a pure expression of the Rolex brand, one that’s instantly recognizable despite it lacking some key iconic visual cues.

Rolex took their Oyster models (first released in the 1920s) and in 1945 added the first date complication that changed “just before” midnight, rather than taking hours to turn over. (Or was “just,” as in “accurate,” depending on your interpretation.) Sounds like a simple thing, but in the 1940s, and even now, that feature was unique and convenient. The “cyclops” date magnifier was also a first on the Datejust of 1945.

The most iconic modern Rolex Datejust retains the fluted bezel of the early Oyster models, though it serves no function now. (Originally that bezel was the receiving end of a tool that unscrewed the bezel ring to release the crystal from the mid-case. Today, that bezel is integrated into the mid-case, and the fluting is purely decorative.) Combined with the cyclops, these visual cues say “Rolex” more loudly than any other features on any other model, including the Submariner and the Daytona.

Neither too sporty nor too dressy, the Datejust is the perfect solution for the person seeking one watch to do it all. Robust, ready for water and shocks and all kinds of abuse, but dressy enough to go to a wedding or funeral, the Datejust is a midcentury classic that remains the centerpiece of Rolex’s catalog. Essential, iconic and perpetually in vogue, a Datejust might be the only watch you’ll ever require.

In 1956, Rolex released a new model with both the date at 3 o’clock and the day of the week boldly displayed in an arced aperture at the top of the dial. It also came on a newly designed three-link bracelet that glimmered in the lowest of lighting.

Few would have expected this more complicated version of the Datejust to have become the chosen watch of multiple US presidents — LBJ, JFK and Reagan among them — but that’s what happened. It certainly didn’t hurt that the watch has only ever been available in all-precious metal cases — a signifier of wealth and power if ever there was one. Its day display is also available in no fewer than 26 different languages, making it a favorite watch the world over.

Now nicknamed “The President” — though, technically, this is the official name of the watch’s unique bracelet, not the watch itself — the Day-Date is the other most recognizable Rolex after the Datejust, and no dressy 1908 or any other model seems capable of outshining it, literally and figuratively. As such, the Day-Date is always on offer in a wide array of sizes and dial colors, with enough precious metals and diamonds to cross that thin line into gaudiness — there’s even a version with a colorful puzzle dial and emojis on the date wheel. Though a stock, unadorned Day-Date remains one of the classiest watches on the market, a sign of sophistication and good taste.

The year 2012 saw Rolex release the Sky-Dweller to a very mixed response. Some hate how it looks quite vehemently, which makes it a bit of a rebel choice, while others applauded the mechanical accomplishment.

What distinguishes the Sky-Dweller is, indeed, the brilliant movement inside. This is a full-on annual calendar (displaying months, but not years), and it uses a truly clever mechanism and display: The months are indicated by a tiny aperture that turns red at each of the 12 markers around the dial, while the date is in the traditional position at 3-o’clock. A 24-hour GMT indicator is located on the ring above 6 o’clock, which is the most divisive visual feature of the Sky-Dweller.

But what truly distinguishes this movement is that the “Ring Command” bezel works as a selector for whatever function you’re looking to set via the crown: One rotates the bezel to any of seven positions and uses the crown to adjust the affiliated function. It sounds tricky, but after one try, it’s entirely intuitive.

The Sky-Dweller is 42mm across, which is on the larger side for a Rolex, and it’s available on either an Oyster, an Oysterflex or a full-gold Jubilee bracelet — making it the only model in Rolex’s catalog that’s available on all three bracelet styles.

The youngest watch in Rolex’s lineup is a callback to the year Rolex founder, Hans Wilsdorf, trademarked the brand name and is “a clear tribute to the first Oyster Perpetual watches.”

The 1908 measures 39mm across and comes equipped with a brand-new caliber 7140 movement you can observe through a sapphire caseback, a rarity for the brand. It’s easily the brand’s dressiest watch and stands apart from other Rolex collections not only for its exhibition caseback, but also its seconds subdial, its leather strap, and for being the only watch that doesn’t use the brand’s signature Oyster case.

First launched in 2023 in yellow and white gold with a clean black or white dial, the 1908 didn’t make much of a splash initially. But in 2024, Rolex launched a platinum version with an ice-blue guilloche dial. As the only guilloche dial in the brand’s lineup (another feature to further set the 1908 apart), the platinum version has quickly become a fan-favorite .

It should be mentioned: the 1908’s release in 2023 was not without loss. The 1908 effectively replaced and formally marked the end of the longstanding Cellini collection, which Rolex largely and unceremoniously started discontinuing in 2022.

Rolex Pricing and Availability

Rolex watches range from roughly $5,000 for a basic ladies’ Oyster Perpetual to hundreds of thousands of dollars for an “iced-out” Daytona with diamonds. This is one of the wonderful things about Rolex: Though it is one of the most well-known luxury brands in the world, the price of entry isn’t prohibitive in the same way that a watch from, say, Patek Philippe is.

Unfortunately, pricing can be a bit of a moot point for much of Rolex’s catalog, since many of the watches aren’t readily available at retail . We’re not just talking about Subs and Daytonas, either. Watches that were recently plentiful, such as the Oyster Perpetual, are even scarce now. For example, a new 36mm Oyster Perpetual in the Tiffany-like blue color will currently cost you in the ballpark of $30,000 on the secondhand market. And this is for a watch that should retail for $6,100 !

The bottom line for serious buyers: Do not expect to pay below retail for any current-catalog Rolex model, full stop. Expect to pay more. In some cases, way more .

Pricing on vintage models is much more forgiving. Because so much focus is placed on sports models such as Subs, Daytonas, GMTs, etc., if you’re willing to look smaller or older, you can get yourself a fantastic watch for under $5,000 . There are a few important points to be made here, however.

Do not expect to pay below retail for any current-catalog Rolex model, full stop

One is that Rolex has restricted the sale of parts to independent watchmakers, meaning that it’s only becoming harder to source correct parts and service vintage Rolex watches. It is expensive to do so.

Secondly, there are countless “frankenwatches” — watches made of parts from different models — and outright fakes out there. That’s why we recommend buying vintage watches from reputable dealers, especially those that belong to Rolex’s Certified Pre-Owned program, since their watches are guaranteed authentic by The Crown itself.

Lastly, here’s some good news: Most Rolexes are not rare. The brand makes over one million watches per year and accounts for nearly a third of the entire Swiss watch market . If money is no object, you can find the watch you’re looking for on the secondary market. You’re just gonna have to pay for it. While it’s been this way for years, there’s hope that Rolex models will soon become increasingly accessible with Rolex’s 2023 announcement that it’s expanding production . If and when that happens, the secondary market should cool down considerably.

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How Many Rolex Yacht-Master Sizes Are There Now?

The biggest news to come out of Rolex’s Baselworld booth in 2019 was the release of the Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659, which overtook the Yacht-Master 40’s spot as the largest model in the collection. Although the Rolex Yacht-Master has only been around for about three decades, it has undergone the most size changes with a few new dimensions introduced and a couple of old ones discontinued.

In fact, the only model that has retained its original case size since the beginning is the standard 40mm Yacht-Master (known as the Yacht-Master 40). Given all the updates, a common question we come across is just how many Rolex Yacht-Master sizes are there? Well, keep on reading to find out.

The Rolex Yacht-Master

Yacht-Master Key Features:

Production Years: 1992 – Present

Materials: Yellow gold, stainless steel/platinum, stainless steel/yellow gold, Everose gold, or stainless steel/Everose Gold

Functionality: Time with running seconds, quickset date

Case Sizes: 42mm, 40mm, 37mm, 35mm (discontinued), 29mm (discontinued)

Dial: Mercedes-style hands, date window at 3 o’clock

Bezel: Precious metal or Cerachrom, raised 60-minute scale, bidirectional

Crystal: Sapphire with Cyclops lens

Water Resistance: 100 meters / 330 feet

Bracelet: Oyster or Oysterflex

Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Yacht-Master.

A History of Rolex Yacht-Master Sizes

Rolex introduced the Yacht-Master in 1992 as an ultra-luxurious sports watch ready for the open seas. While it was similar in style to the Submariner – complete with Mercedes-style hands, an Oyster bracelet, and a 60-minute rotating bezel – Rolex made the nautically-inspired Yacht-Master more opulent thanks to a full precious metal bezel (instead of an aluminum insert) and swapped out the 300-meter water resistance rating of the Submariner dive watch for a more standard 100 meters.

The very first Yacht-Master model was fashioned entirely in 18k yellow gold and featured a 40mm case. However, Rolex quickly expanded the collection to include other sizes. For instance, two smaller Yacht-Master watches joined the lineup in 1994: the ladies Yacht-Master with a 29mm case and the midsize Yacht-Master with a 35mm case. Furthermore, other metal options were soon on offer, including two-tone steel and yellow gold varieties, followed by a stainless steel edition with a solid 950 platinum bezel. In Rolex-speak, the yellow gold/steel version is dubbed Yellow Rolesor while the steel/platinum variant is called Rolesium.

In 2015, Rolex made a few key updates to the Yacht-Master collection. First of all, the Yacht-Master 29 and Yacht-Master 35 were both discontinued in favor of the Yacht-Master 37 with its larger 37mm case diameter. Second, Rolex dropped the yellow gold option and replaced it with an Everose gold version but paired with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel and black rubber Oysterflex bracelet. The following year saw the debut of the two-tone steel/Everose Gold (a.k.a. Everose Rolesor) editions, which replaced the Yellow Rolesor models in the Rolex Yacht-Master lineup.

Finally, we reach 2019, with the launch of the Yacht-Master 42, which is not only the biggest model available but also the first to include an 18k white gold case. Similar to the Everose gold Yacht-Master, the white gold Yacht-Master is fitted with a black Cerachrom bezel and black Oysterflex bracelet.

Current Yacht-Master Sizes

– Yacht-Master 42

– Yacht-Master 40

– Yacht-Master 37

As you browse the different Rolex watch case sizes , you will notice there are only a few different sizes of Yacht-Masters available.  Rolex currently makes three sizes of the Yacht-Master. There’s the new Yacht-Master 42, the Yacht-Master 40, and the Yacht-Master 37. While the largest model is exclusively offered in solid white gold, Rolex makes the two other sizes in Everose gold, two-tone Everose gold and stainless steel, and bi-metal platinum and stainless steel.

It’s worth mentioning that the Yacht-Master is the only current Rolex sports watch collection that offers a functional bezel on a case that’s smaller than 40mm. Consequently, the Yacht-Master 37 is a great option for someone with smaller wrists looking for a Rolex sports watch.

Discontinued Yacht-Master Sizes

– Yacht-Master 35

– Yacht-Master 29

After two decades of production, the 29mm ladies Yacht-Master and the 35mm midsize Yacht-Master were both discontinued in 2015. However, these two smaller Yacht-Master watches are still popular options on the pre-owned Rolex market.

A Complete List of All Yacht-Master Sizes and References

In short, the Rolex Yacht-Master is available in five different sizes (including the discontinued variants): 42mm, 40mm, 37mm, 35mm, and 29mm. Below is a comprehensive list of Yacht-Master sizes and references.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42

Rolex Yacht-Master 40

Rolex Yacht-Master 37

Rolex Yacht-Master 35

Rolex Yacht-Master 29

The Only Rolex Sports Watch Available in Multiple Sizes

Unlike other Rolex Professional watch collections, the Yacht-Master has always been varied in terms of sizes. In fact, the Yacht-Master is the only Rolex sports watch line that provides more than one size option at the same time. Pre-2015, it was 29mm, 35mm, and 40mm. Today, it’s 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm.

On the other hand, Rolex only ever offers the likes of the Submariner, Daytona, GMT-Master, and other sports models in one size. And if there is a size change (for instance when the Submariner grew to 41mm or the Explorer grew to 39mm or the Sea-Dweller grew to 43mm) then the previous size is discontinued.

The size variations, along with the wide range of metals, dials, and bezels to choose from, makes the Yacht-Master collection one of the most diverse models Rolex has ever made. This is particularly impressive when you consider that the Yacht-Master is less than three decades old.

Which one is your favorite Yacht-Master size? Leave us your thoughts in the comments section below.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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A NEW PROGRAMME BY ROLEX

Rolex Certified Pre-Owned

The Rolex Certification

Because they are built to last, Rolex watches often live several lives. Rolex offers the opportunity to purchase previously worn timepieces that are certified as authentic and guaranteed by the brand.

Authenticity Guaranteed

The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned programme vouches for the authenticity of second-hand Rolex watches at their time of resale by an Official Jeweler displaying the special Rolex Certified Pre-Owned plaque. It guarantees that these watches benefit from the quality criteria inherent to all Rolex products and from the full know-how and professionalism of the brand’s worldwide network of experts.

A symbol of excellence

The Rolex Certified Pre-Owned seal that comes with your watch symbolizes its status as a certified second-hand Rolex watch. This exclusive title attests to its authenticity on the date of purchase and proper functioning, and is accompanied by an international two-year guarantee.

The Two-Year International Rolex guarantee

Delivered at the time of sale, the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned guarantee card officially confirms that the watch is genuine on the date of purchase and guarantees its proper functioning for a period of two years from this date in accordance with the guarantee manual.

Buying a Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watch

Each Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watch is presented in a distinctive pouch. The timepiece comes with the Rolex Certified Pre-Owned seal, a two-year international guarantee card, a service booklet and a guarantee booklet.

Because they are built to last, Rolex watches often live several lives.