A rundown of today's top 10 most popular Rolex watches on the market.
Rolex is widely recognized as the unrivalled leader in the luxury watch industry. With a global reputation for success, prestige & unwavering excellence, this Swiss watchmaking giant sets the standard for exceptional craftsmanship & timeless elegance.
Although it's widely acknowledged that Rolex is the undisputed leader in the high-end watch industry(by far), many people often inquire about the standout models in their extensive catalogue.
So, we have curated a comprehensive list to address this inquiry. You may be wondering about our criteria for determining the "most popular" Rolexes.
In this context, we take into account a combination of sales figures, inquiries & market value to identify the current most sought-after Rolexes.
Continue reading to discover the most sought-after Rolex watches in today's market. You may come across a few entries that will pleasantly surprise you.
Submariner
The legendary Rolex Submariner ranks as the foremost timepiece among the top ten most sought-after watches. Introducing its debut in 1953, the Submariner pioneered water resistance up to 100 meters.
It boasts a unidirectional, rotating bezel meticulously engraved with a 60-minute gradation, enabling divers to monitor air reserve & decompression effectively.
Equally significant, the dark dial, substantial case & practical bezel of this dive watch establish a benchmark of style for Rolex.
A highly popular timepiece upon its introduction in the 1950s, the Submariner was initially priced at approximately $150 to $200. Presently, a Submariner from that era can demand a valuation ranging from $25,000 to $500,000.
The current iterations of the Submariner closely mirror the original models, with the added enhancement of water resistance up to 1,000 feet.
Famous wearers: James Bond (as played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton), Jack Black, Che Guevara, Mark Wahlberg, Steve McQueen, Jacques Cousteau, Fidel Castro.
Datejust
Introduced in 1945 as a commemoration of Rolex's 40th anniversary, the Datejust was a groundbreaking self-winding & waterproof watch that revolutionized the industry with its automatic date change functionality.
This innovative feature provided wearers with the convenience of effortlessly viewing both the time & date, setting a new standard across the industry.
Famous wearers: Martin Luther King, Jr., the Dalai Lama, Roger Federer, Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton
Daytona
Introduced in 1963, the Daytona was named after the esteemed race venue, where Rolex had become the official timekeeper the previous year. Crafted for professional drivers, this timepiece boasted a generously sized tachymeter scale on its bezel, exemplifying the seamless marriage of form & function that has come to define the Daytona's iconic aesthetic.
Notably, in 2017, Daytona set a groundbreaking record for the highest-priced Rolex ever sold at auction. The watch, formerly owned by actor & race car driver Paul Newman, fetched a staggering $17.8 million.
Famous Wearers: Paul Newman, Jay-Z, John Mayer, Brad Pitt, Ellen Degeneres, Victoria Beckham, Kevin Hart
GMT-Master
In response to Pan America's request for a pilots' watch capable of displaying dual time zones, the GMT-Master was introduced in 1955. The "GMT" in its name represents Greenwich Mean Time & it was developed as a variation of the Datejust model.
With the addition of a fourth hand & an outer bezel, it became possible to track time in multiple time zones. In 1985, the GMT-Master II was introduced, featuring an upgraded movement.
Famous Wearers: Tom Selleck, Trevor Noah, Marlon Brando, Pablo Picasso, Mel Gibson, Clint Eastwood, Dustin Hoffman, Brad Pitt, Sylvester Stallone
Yacht-Master
Introduced in 1992, the Yacht-Master boasts waterproof capabilities, exceptional readability & a host of features. The Yacht-Master II, introduced in 2007 & first manufactured in 2010, was meticulously crafted with regattas in mind. This timepiece includes a programmable countdown sequence that can be easily adjusted during race starts.
The Yacht-Master seamlessly blends form & function, making it an elegant & practical choice for both sailors & discerning individuals.
Notably, Eric Clapton's Yacht-Master prototype, worn during the '60s & '70s, long before the official release of the Yacht-Master, fetched an impressive $125,000 at auction in 2003.
Famous Wearers: David Beckham, Eric Clapton, Bruce Willis, Zac Efron
Explorer
Rolex had been supplying Himalayan expeditions with watches for several years prior to 1953. It was in that year when Edmund Hillary, during his successful attempt to summit Mount Everest, wore a Rolex Oyster. Coincidentally, 1953 also marked the debut of the Explorer, with references 6298 & 6350.
Designed with mountaineers in mind, the Explorer possessed a more understated aesthetic compared to other Rolex sports models. Its distinctive 3/6/9 dial quickly became renowned, allowing it to seamlessly transition from a sports watch to a dress watch.
Famous Wearers: Author Ian Fleming, Jon Hamm as the Don Draper character in 'Mad Men', Bryan Ferry
Sky-Dweller
Introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller swiftly gained recognition as a timepiece favoured by business travellers. Leveraging the esteemed Rolex Oyster lineage, the Sky-Dweller showcased a dual time zone exhibit within a generously proportioned 42mm case, housing the groundbreaking calibre 9001—the most intricate movement ever crafted by Rolex.
Featuring a conventional hour, minute & seconds hand for local time, along with an offset hour display for a second-time zone, the Sky-Dweller boasts a synchronized automatic date change mechanism.
This innovative timepiece incorporates the highly efficient Saros annual calendar, seamlessly transitioning between 30-day & 31-day months.
Famous Wearers: LeBron James, Julio Jones, Jimmy Buffet, Demarcus Ware, Andre Iguodala, Cristiano Ronaldo
Yacht-Master II
Introduced in 2007, the Yacht-Master II advanced upon its predecessor, boasting a substantial 44mm case & the groundbreaking inclusion of a programmable countdown featuring a mechanical memory.
Famous Wearers: Guy Fieri, LeBron James, Roger Federer
Cellini
Introduced in 1968, the Cellini line embodies elegance & sophistication with its timeless designs. The watches in this collection feature classic round cases & are often adorned with diamonds & precious gems.
With a focus on traditional watchmaking techniques & exquisite craftsmanship, the Cellini collection is a tribute to the renowned Italian artist Benvenuto Cellini, who had a great influence on the art of goldsmithing & sculpting.
Famous Wearers: Roger Federer, Nicolas Cage, Placido Domingo
Pearlmaster
Introduced in 1992, the Pearlmaster is a luxurious & opulent line of Rolex watches. These exquisite timepieces feature precious metals such as gold & platinum & are often adorned with diamonds or other gems.
The Pearlmaster models also have a distinctive five-piece link bracelet that adds to their elegance & sophistication.
The name "Pearlmaster" is a nod to the captivating beauty of pearls & the masterful skill required to create these stunning watches.
Famous Wearers: LeBron James, Drake, Georgina Rodriguez
Where To Buy Rolex Watches For The Best Prices?
LD Time is the ultimate destination for purchasing genuine Rolex watches at unbeatable prices. Our collection comprises a wide range of Rolex timepieces meticulously authenticated by our in-house team of experts.
From exquisite Rolex Datejusts to iconic Submariners, explore our selection & enjoy up to 50% off retail prices.
How Do You Sell Or Upgrade Your Watch Collection?
If you would like to sell or upgrade your current watch, perhaps to one of the Rolex models on this list, LD Time is here to help. LD Time offers a quick, secure service for selling luxury watches online. We buy a wide range of iconic models, from the Oyster Perpetual to the Rolex Day Date, from yellow gold to white gold to stainless steel.
Simply fill out the online form & one of our in-house experts will be in touch shortly with an initial price quote.
Rolex Brand History
After we explore the top 10 most popular Rolex watches, you may be curious about the factors behind Rolex's remarkable success.
- In 1905, Hans Wilsdorf, a German-born individual who had undergone an apprenticeship in the Swiss watchmaking industry & subsequently relocated to London to work for a British horologer, joined forces with Alfred Davis to establish the esteemed watchmaking firm Wilsdorf & Davis in Hatton Garden.
- In 1908, the founder decided to rebrand the emerging company as Rolex, as the newly created name was concise, memorable & easy to pronounce.
- By 1926, Rolex had already established a reputation for producing innovative, meticulously crafted timepieces with the introduction of the Oyster, the world's first waterproof watch.
This commitment to innovation has persisted into the 21st century with the development of the Deepsea, a waterproof timepiece capable of withstanding depths that exceed human endurance by a factor of 100.