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Rolex products: reviews and comparisons

Our research on Rolex products: what each one is best for, how they compare and which alternatives to consider.

Opulique is independent and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the brands we cover.

Products we have researched

Rolex Air-King 126900

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Air-King 126900

Buy it if you want aviation Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Aviation Rolex
Typical price
$7,900–$9,500

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Busy dial
Rolex Cellini Moonphase Pre-Owned

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Cellini Moonphase Pre-Owned

Buy it if you want Rolex dress.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Rolex dress
Typical price
$18,000–$24,000

Pros

  • Rolex quality

Cons

  • Discontinued
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN

Rolex · Luxury chronographs

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN

Buy it if you want the most coveted chronograph.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Grail chronograph
Typical price
$16,000–$30,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Superb

Cons

  • Near-impossible at list
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126506 Platinum

Rolex · Luxury chronographs

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126506 Platinum

Buy it if you want the pinnacle Daytona.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Ultimate Daytona
Typical price
$85,000–$140,000

Pros

  • Platinum
  • Ice-blue dial

Cons

  • Extreme price
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126508 Yellow Gold

Rolex · Luxury chronographs

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126508 Yellow Gold

Buy it if you want the gold icon.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gold Daytona
Typical price
$45,000–$65,000

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Very pricey
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126509 White Gold

Rolex · Luxury chronographs

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126509 White Gold

Buy it if you want precious-metal Daytona.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
White gold Daytona
Typical price
$42,000–$60,000

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Very pricey
Rolex Datejust 31

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Datejust 31

Buy it if you want everyday Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Versatile Rolex
Typical price
$9,500–$14,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Versatile

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Datejust 36 Diamond Dial

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Datejust 36 Diamond Dial

Buy it if you want sparkle.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Diamond dial
Typical price
$11,000–$16,000

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Datejust 41

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Datejust 41

Buy it if you want everyday Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Everyday Rolex
Typical price
$9,500–$14,000

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Resale

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Datejust 41 Everose Rolesor

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Datejust 41 Everose Rolesor

Buy it if you want warm.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Two-tone Datejust
Typical price
$14,500–$18,500

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Day-Date 36

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Day-Date 36

Buy it if you want the President.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Classic President
Typical price
$39,000–$48,000

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Day-Date 40

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Day-Date 40

Buy it if you want the President.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
President
Typical price
$42,000–$55,000

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Very pricey
Rolex Day-Date 40 Platinum Ice Blue

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Day-Date 40 Platinum Ice Blue

Buy it if you want ultimate Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Platinum President
Typical price
$70,000–$90,000

Pros

  • Ultimate

Cons

  • Extreme
Rolex Daytona 126505 Everose

Rolex · Luxury chronographs

Rolex Daytona 126505 Everose

Buy it if you want gold.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gold Daytona
Typical price
$42,000–$55,000

Pros

  • Luxurious

Cons

  • Very pricey
Rolex Deepsea 136660

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Deepsea 136660

Buy it if you want the toughest Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Extreme diver
Typical price
$14,500–$17,500

Pros

  • Extreme build
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Very large
Rolex Explorer 36

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Explorer 36

Buy it if you want the simplest Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Everyday Rolex
Typical price
$7,600–$10,000

Pros

  • Versatile
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Small for some
Rolex Explorer 40

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Explorer 40

Buy it if you want larger.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Larger Explorer
Typical price
$7,800–$10,500

Pros

  • Versatile

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Explorer II 226570

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Explorer II 226570

Buy it if you want a tool GMT.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Tool GMT
Typical price
$10,500–$13,000

Pros

  • Tough
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Large
Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO

Buy it if you want the iconic travel Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Pepsi icon
Typical price
$11,000–$22,000

Pros

  • Iconic
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Grey premium
Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer

Buy it if you want warm two-tone.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Root Beer
Typical price
$18,000–$24,000

Pros

  • Distinctive
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex GMT-Master II 126718GRNR Gold

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II 126718GRNR Gold

Buy it if you want gold GMT.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gold GMT
Typical price
$40,000–$46,000

Pros

  • Luxurious

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR Sprite

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR Sprite

Buy it if you want unique.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Left-hand GMT
Typical price
$11,500–$19,000

Pros

  • Distinctive

Cons

  • Grey premium
Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl

Buy it if you want GMT Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Batgirl
Typical price
$11,000–$20,000

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Grey premium
Rolex Lady-Datejust 28

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28

Buy it if you want a lifetime Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Classic Rolex
Typical price
$13,000–$17,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Timeless

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Everose Rolesor

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Everose Rolesor

Buy it if you want warm.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Rose Lady
Typical price
$15,000–$19,000

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Yellow Gold Diamonds

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Yellow Gold Diamonds

Buy it if you want jewelry-level Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gold Lady-Datejust
Typical price
$32,000–$38,000

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Very pricey
Rolex Lady-Datejust Pre-Owned

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Lady-Datejust Pre-Owned

Buy it if you want Rolex for less.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Vintage Rolex
Typical price
$7,000–$11,000

Pros

  • Savings

Cons

  • Older
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36

Buy it if you want entry Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Entry Rolex
Typical price
$6,600–$10,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Colours

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41

Buy it if you want simple Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Simple Rolex
Typical price
$7,000–$10,000

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Pearlmaster 39

Rolex · Women’s luxury watches

Rolex Pearlmaster 39

Buy it if you want gem-set.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gem-set Rolex
Typical price
$70,000–$110,000

Pros

  • Opulent

Cons

  • Extreme
Rolex Perpetual 1908

Rolex · Dress watches

Rolex Perpetual 1908

Buy it if you want Rolex elegance.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Rolex dress
Typical price
$22,000–$25,000

Pros

  • Elegant
  • Superb

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600

Buy it if you want a bigger Rolex diver.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Deep diver
Typical price
$14,500–$17,000

Pros

  • Tough
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Thick
Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 Two-Tone

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 Two-Tone

Buy it if you want two-tone diver.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Gold Sea-Dweller
Typical price
$17,000–$20,000

Pros

  • Distinctive

Cons

  • Thick
Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934

Rolex · GMT and pilot watches

Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934

Buy it if you want complication.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Travel complication
Typical price
$16,000–$22,000

Pros

  • Clever
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Thick
Rolex Submariner 124060

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner 124060

Buy it if you want the cleanest Submariner.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Purist Sub
Typical price
$9,600–$13,000

Pros

  • Clean dial
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Hard to buy
Rolex Submariner 124060 Pre-Owned

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner 124060 Pre-Owned

Buy it if you want a Sub without the wait.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
No-date Sub now
Typical price
$10,500–$13,500

Pros

  • Available
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Above list
Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN

Buy it if you want the most recognized luxury watch and its strong resale.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
The dive icon
Typical price
$10,700–$15,000

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Superb build

Cons

  • Hard to buy at list
Rolex Submariner Date 126613LB Two-Tone

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner Date 126613LB Two-Tone

Buy it if you want the Submariner with more presence.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Gold and steel Sub
Typical price
$15,800–$19,500

Pros

  • Holds value
  • Iconic blue

Cons

  • Flashy
Rolex Submariner Date 126618LN Yellow Gold

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Submariner Date 126618LN Yellow Gold

Buy it if you want the ultimate gold sports watch.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Solid gold Sub
Typical price
$42,000–$48,000

Pros

  • Solid gold
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Heavy
Rolex Yacht-Master 37 Everose

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Yacht-Master 37 Everose

Buy it if you want a 37 mm sport Rolex.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Mid-size Yacht-Master
Typical price
$14,500–$17,000

Pros

  • Wearable size
  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Yacht-Master 40

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Yacht-Master 40

Buy it if you want Rolex.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Sailing Rolex
Typical price
$13,000–$17,000

Pros

  • Holds value

Cons

  • Pricey
Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold

Rolex · Luxury dive watches

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold

Buy it if you want discreet precious metal.

Verdict
Consider
Best for
Light gold sport
Typical price
$31,000–$35,000

Pros

  • Discreet gold
  • Comfortable strap

Cons

  • Pricey

Reviews, comparisons and guides

Rolex: what to buy, what to skip

Is Rolex worth it? Like every house, Rolex makes some pieces worth their price and some you mostly pay the name for. Here is every Rolex piece Opulique has checked, across GMT and pilot watches, dress watches, luxury chronographs, luxury dive watches, women’s luxury watches, each with a clear call, the usual price and, where it makes sense, a better alternative from another house.

Every Rolex piece we checked

Rolex Datejust 41 (dress watches, $9,500–$14,000): buy. Datejust 41.

Rolex Day-Date 36 (dress watches, $39,000–$48,000): buy. Day-Date 36.

Rolex Perpetual 1908 (dress watches, $22,000–$25,000): buy. Thin gold dress watch.

Rolex Datejust 41 Everose Rolesor (dress watches, $14,500–$18,500): buy. Everose Rolesor Datejust.

Rolex Cellini Moonphase Pre-Owned (dress watches, $18,000–$24,000): consider. Gold Cellini moonphase.

Rolex Day-Date 40 (dress watches, $42,000–$55,000): consider. Gold Day-Date.

Rolex Day-Date 40 Platinum Ice Blue (dress watches, $70,000–$90,000): consider. Platinum Day-Date.

Rolex Explorer II 226570 (GMT and pilot watches, $10,500–$13,000): buy. Explorer II with orange hand.

Rolex Explorer 36 (GMT and pilot watches, $7,600–$10,000): buy. Explorer 36.

Rolex Air-King 126900 (GMT and pilot watches, $7,900–$9,500): buy. Air-King.

Rolex GMT-Master II 126711CHNR Root Beer (GMT and pilot watches, $18,000–$24,000): buy. Everose Rolesor GMT.

Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934 (GMT and pilot watches, $16,000–$22,000): buy. Annual calendar GMT.

Rolex Explorer 40 (GMT and pilot watches, $7,800–$10,500): buy. Explorer 40.

Rolex GMT-Master II 126710BLRO (GMT and pilot watches, $11,000–$22,000): consider. Red and blue Cerachrom GMT.

Rolex GMT-Master II Batgirl (GMT and pilot watches, $11,000–$20,000): consider. Blue and black GMT.

Rolex GMT-Master II 126720VTNR Sprite (GMT and pilot watches, $11,500–$19,000): consider. Left-crown green-black GMT.

Rolex GMT-Master II 126718GRNR Gold (GMT and pilot watches, $40,000–$46,000): consider. Yellow gold GMT.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN (luxury chronographs, $16,000–$30,000): consider. Steel Daytona with ceramic bezel.

Rolex Daytona 126505 Everose (luxury chronographs, $42,000–$55,000): consider. Everose gold Daytona.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126509 White Gold (luxury chronographs, $42,000–$60,000): consider. 18k white gold Daytona.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126508 Yellow Gold (luxury chronographs, $45,000–$65,000): consider. Yellow gold Daytona.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126506 Platinum (luxury chronographs, $85,000–$140,000): consider. Platinum Daytona with ice-blue dial.

Rolex Submariner Date 126610LN (luxury dive watches, $10,700–$15,000): buy. 41 mm Oystersteel diver with Cerachrom bezel and calibre 3235.

Rolex Submariner 124060 (luxury dive watches, $9,600–$13,000): buy. No-date Submariner with symmetrical dial.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 (luxury dive watches, $7,000–$10,000): buy. OP 41.

Rolex Submariner Date 126613LB Two-Tone (luxury dive watches, $15,800–$19,500): buy. Rolesor Submariner with blue dial and bezel.

Rolex Yacht-Master 37 Everose (luxury dive watches, $14,500–$17,000): buy. Everose Rolesor on Oysterflex.

Rolex Submariner 124060 Pre-Owned (luxury dive watches, $10,500–$13,500): buy. Pre-owned no-date Sub.

Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 (luxury dive watches, $14,500–$17,000): consider. 43 mm saturation diver.

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 (luxury dive watches, $13,000–$17,000): consider. Yacht-Master with Everose.

Rolex Submariner Date 126618LN Yellow Gold (luxury dive watches, $42,000–$48,000): consider. 18k yellow gold Submariner with black dial.

Rolex Deepsea 136660 (luxury dive watches, $14,500–$17,500): consider. 44 mm Deepsea with Ringlock case.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 White Gold (luxury dive watches, $31,000–$35,000): consider. 18k white gold Yacht-Master on Oysterflex.

Rolex Sea-Dweller 126603 Two-Tone (luxury dive watches, $17,000–$20,000): consider. Rolesor Sea-Dweller.

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 (women’s luxury watches, $13,000–$17,000): buy. Fluted bezel Lady-Datejust.

Rolex Datejust 31 (women’s luxury watches, $9,500–$14,000): buy. Datejust 31.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (women’s luxury watches, $6,600–$10,000): buy. Oyster Perpetual 36.

Rolex Lady-Datejust Pre-Owned (women’s luxury watches, $7,000–$11,000): buy. Pre-owned Lady-Datejust.

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Everose Rolesor (women’s luxury watches, $15,000–$19,000): buy. Everose Rolesor.

Rolex Datejust 36 Diamond Dial (women’s luxury watches, $11,000–$16,000): buy. Datejust 36 diamond dial.

Rolex Lady-Datejust 28 Yellow Gold Diamonds (women’s luxury watches, $32,000–$38,000): consider. Gold with diamond bezel.

Rolex Pearlmaster 39 (women’s luxury watches, $70,000–$110,000): consider. Gem-set Pearlmaster.

Rolex or another house?

Buy the piece, not the logo. Compare Rolex luxury dive watches with the alternatives in our best luxury dive watches list before you decide.

Authenticity, warranty and service

Buy from the fashion house, an authorized retailer or a reseller that authenticates and guarantees every piece, and keep the receipt, the dust bag, the box and any warranty card: they matter for repairs and for resale. Swiss watches carry a 2- to 5-year international warranty when bought from an authorized dealer, and buyers in the EU and UK also have a legal guarantee of at least two years on new goods.

How we make the call: we read the house’s own product details and care guides, compare materials and construction, follow owners’ long-term experience and track the usual retail and resale prices. A piece gets “Buy” only if we would tell a friend to spend that money on it. No fashion house can pay for a verdict.