A relic of the past or a hope for the future? How luxuriously the Swiss watchmaking giant edges past its competitors, most flamboyantly, is depicted by the overwhelming presence of the horological masterpiece. Equipped with models that transcend not just trends but generations, the brand's name resonates deeply, reverberating its overarching presence and making headlines in nearly all collector circles globally. In fact, the most popular Rolex watches have remained the brand's most recognizable and esteemed models, with its name etched deep in the hearts of horological connoisseurs.
Standing tall as the most recognized watch brand in the luxury horological segment, the brand, founded in 1905 in Switzerland, has an unrivaled legacy and tradition, epitomizing finesse, elegance, top-end craftsmanship, and sophistication. Crafting high-end, durable mechanical watches, each of their standout masterpieces has withstood the test of time.
While the Swiss watch giant offers an extensive range of horological classics, featuring the finest selection of a curated luxury collection, Rolex has achieved iconic status, revered for its artisanal brilliance, carving a place in the hearts of luxury enthusiasts and collectors. Their watches are more than tools for mere timekeeping; embedded in the heart of Swiss art, their state-of-the-art collection epitomizes timeless style and high-end design, pioneering sophisticated engineering.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or exploring your first luxury watch purchase, understanding these models provides valuable insight into what makes Rolex truly exceptional.
At ElegantSwiss, we proudly offer an extraordinary assortment of pre-owned Rolex watches, including the Daytona, Submariner, Air King, Datejust, Yacht-Master, Oyster Perpetual, GMT Master II, Milgauss, Explorer, Day-Date, Sky-Dweller, and Sea-Dweller. Today, our focus is on the 10 most popular Rolex watches that have captured the hearts of collectors worldwide.
1. Rolex Daytona 116500LN: The Ultimate Sports Chronograph
The Rolex Daytona 116500LN is a contemporary classic with a pioneering design that embodies edgy aesthetics, featuring a stainless steel sports chronograph. The outstanding 40mm stainless steel case features a clean, black dial.
Resulting in a refined silhouette displaying visually striking aesthetics without any clutter of the multi-colored bezels and inserts. Sophisticated and somewhat subdued, contrasting silver dials stand mesmerizingly against the dark face, facilitating easy readability of the chronograph minutes, hours, and seconds.
Behind the stainless steel caseback is Rolex's self-winding Caliber 4130 movement, intricately crafted in-house with a sense of expertise that emanates a visionary look, epitomizing state-of-the-art precision. Collectors are awe-stricken by its striking silhouette, appeal, and aesthetics, making them fall for the model and succumb to an obsession.
Sporting refined yet sporty aesthetics, it is the horological prestige and timelessness of Rolex that make it a perfect match for both formal and casual aesthetics. Synonymizing great form and function, the watch has etched its name deep inside the hearts of modern-day, discerning collectors.
Ready to make this iconic watch yours? Schedule a discussion with our experts at ElegantSwiss to explore our current Daytona collection.
2. Rolex Submariner The Rolex Submariner 16613: A Dive Watch Legend
The Rolex Submariner 16613 is a sparkling luxury in the bedazzled Rolex collection. A dive watch legend, the watch is elegantly draped in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold, featuring a scintillating blue dial. Sized appropriately at 40mm, the watch is powered by a reliable, durable, yet flexible and incredibly versatile automatic movement.
Standing firmly on top as an icon, it has adorned the prestigious Rolex collection with its ornamental beauty for generations. Introduced in the 1950s, the Submariner has remained ever-present as Rolex’s quintessential dive watch, particularly suited to underwater exploration.
A blend of timeless design, robust construction, and impressive water resistance, the adaptable, highly compatible rotating bezel made the watch an instant hit, making a mark amongst professional divers. It is the trailblazing design evolutions that have led the Submariner to capitalize on significant market share, relishing a legacy of its own.
The 16613 model embodies the classic two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold construction and boasts a sophisticated yet durable, robust design structure, engineered with precision for the ages. A marvel of its kind, the allure of this verified, timeless classic has created ripples, becoming a dominant presence that showcases a mesmerizing balance of luxury, finesse, and functionality.
Symbolizing rugged elegance and adventure, the timeless classic pre-owned Rolex watch exemplifies the perfect marriage of style and substance that has made the archetypal Submariner one of the most sought-after collections in the luxury horological landscape.
3. Rolex GMT Master Pepsi 1675: An Antique Collector's Dream
Featuring the trendsetting red and blue bezel, the horological masterpiece is a vintage collector’s dream, and the archetypal presence traces its roots, equipped with a compatible dual-time zone function. The Rolex GMT-Master Pepsi ref. 1675, particularly in stainless steel, holds a special place in collectors' hearts.
Launched in the 1950s for airline pilots, the allure of the two-tone ceramic bezel forges a versatile design that allows tracking a second time zone, giving birth to the beloved “Pepsi” nickname. While Rolex later discontinued the bi-color bezel, it returned in 2014 on the ref. 126710 propelled the Pepsi GMT back into the spotlight.
Today, vintage 1675s feature faded bezel colors carrying a rustic, rugged charm and an aura of their own, found in the latest references. These pieces are revered for their tangible connection to the prestigious and rich history of aviation, redefining the golden age of air travel.
Interested in adding a piece of aviation history to your collection? Call now to speak with our vintage Rolex specialists at ElegantSwiss.
4. Rolex Yacht-Master 16622: Nautical Elegance
The Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 is a beautiful, tremendously sporty watch. With a one-of-a-kind nautical elegance, the eminent sports watch forms an integral and inseparable part of Rolex's prestigious Yacht-Master line. Since its inception in 1992, the Yacht-Master has carried the baton for Rolex’s rich, elegant, and traditional horological excellence. It was particularly designed for water sports and yachting activities.
Featuring water resistance to 100 meters, the 16622 is bedazzled with a rotating bezel that helps measure elapsed time, and it references the specific model of a 40mm stainless steel Yacht-Master with a silver dial.
The traditional yet adaptable combination of the sparkling stainless steel case with an artful bracelet, paired most inspiringly with a stylish metallic dial, gives the horological marvel a nautical look, transforming it into a purposeful dress silhouette.
For these reasons, the 16622 remains popular among enthusiasts even after being discontinued in the late 2000s—a testament to its enduring appeal as an iconic pre-owned Rolex watch.
5. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 177200: Simplicity Redefined
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 177200 redefines a simplistic, minimal yet archetypal construction. The stainless-steel watch features a striking blue dial measuring 30mm. A classic masterpiece, the watch showcases an engineering marvel sprinkled with finesse and sophistication.
Powered by an automatic movement, holding a significant place in Rolex’s history, having belonged to the legendary Oyster Perpetual line, introduced in the 1930s, has served to broaden tastes, preferably suiting those who appreciate a subtle balance of form and functionality with a distinguished design.
The watch features the Oyster case, recognized for its exemplary waterproofing and reliable and durable appeal. The silhouette, a combination of subtlety, impeccable artistry, design innovation, and technical sophistication, has kept Rolex a renowned source of exceptional craftsmanship. The Oyster Perpetual 177200, a widely available model, is particularly appreciated for its understated elegance.
6. Rolex Explorer 214270: Built for Adventure
The Rolex Explorer 214270, shining bright in stainless steel, is built for the toughest of adventures. Featuring a design that is as durable as it is enrapturing, the classic black dial adorned with an automatic movement lies at the heart of the Swiss masterpiece. With its brilliant carryover of the classic, retro-inspired 1950s feel, the watch particularly suits the aims and ambitions of avid adventurers.
The watch’s enduring popularity stems from its functional yet elegant, sophisticated design. The robust stainless steel case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal guarantee not just durability but reliability. Those highly legible dials with luminous markers make it easier to read, adjusting seamlessly to the lighting conditions around. The Explorer's versatile and timeless style reflects its heritage of resilience and aspiration.
This pre-owned Rolex Explorer 214270 represents exceptional value for collectors seeking an accurate tool watch with refined aesthetics. Inquire now at ElegantSwiss for current availability.
7. Rolex Milgauss 116400V: A Stylist’s Masterpiece
The Rolex Milgauss 116400V is an immaculate stainless-steel Rolex watch featuring an automatic movement. A stylist’s masterpiece, the watch is appreciated for its unbeatable water resistance up to 1,000 Gauss (mille Gauss in French). The watch is ideally suited for professionals in scientific or medical fields who work around strong magnetic equipment.
The most distinctive design element is the green sapphire crystal, which adds a unique pop of color and sets it apart from other Rolex models. Powered by Rolex's self-winding 3131 movement certified for precision, the Milgauss offers technical capabilities and magnetic resistance unprecedented in an automatic wristwatch.
With enduring appeal and aesthetic brilliance, the Milgauss represents Rolex's commitment to the brand, suited to professionals who create specialized tools to master craftsmanship, without compromising on style.
8. Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665: Deep-Sea Pioneer
The Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 is a trend-setting 40mm stainless steel automatic diving watch. Pioneering deep-sea, the watch takes Rolex performance and deliverability levels a few notches up with an incredible water resistance of up to 610 meters (2,000 feet). The classic design aesthetics represent timeless artistry, equipping Rolex’s signature Oyster case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, rotatable bezel, and luminescent dots, elegantly featuring a sleek, sophisticated black dial secured and guarded by a helium escape valve.
Powered by Rolex's self-winding 1575 movement, renowned for ultimate accuracy, the Sea-Dweller offers exemplary water resistance and pairs well with the sophisticated 40mm case. The watch embodies the adventurous spirit through rugged durability, with the magnificence and splendor of a Rolex, allowing consumers to thrive not just on its legacy but also on their watchmaking prowess.
9. Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934: Sophisticated Complications
The Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 features the aura and panache of an innovative 42mm stainless steel automatic watch that edges past its competitors, encompassing the dual time zone complication and the annual calendar.
This very iconic silhouette features Rolex's signature robust Oyster case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, fluted bezel, and luminescent hands. Here, a black dial with a patented ring command system sets the watch’s function.
Powered by the self-winding 9001 caliber movement, the Sky-Dweller excels in a flamboyant, versatile, and highly engineered, chaotic environment. At the pinnacle, the watch features an intuitive interface and is a top-notch engineering marvel through practical combinations. Sporting a luxurious yet elegant artistry, with a majestic yet magnificent design, it is the most sought-after.
The Sky-Dweller features Rolex's most complicated watch, with an intuitive interface that makes it extremely easy to use despite its sophisticated functionality. The Ring Command bezel lets you select different functions by rotating it to specific positions, without any additional pushers or crowns.
This unused Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 represents a rare opportunity for collectors. Schedule a meeting with our team at ElegantSwiss to experience this exceptional watch in person.
10. Rolex Day-Date 18038: The President's Watch
The Rolex Day-Date is a legendary reference 18038 known for a one-of-its-kind luxurious presence, bedazzled via a striking 18k yellow gold case and 'President' bracelet. The highly compatible 36mm case size, fluted bezel, and champagne-colored dial make the Day-Date synonymous with ornamental beauty and refined aesthetics, making it immensely pleasing to the eye.
A popular choice among world leaders and influential figures, the automatic mechanical movement is crafted in Rolex's own workshops and is known for its precision and reliability. The Day-Date has been recognized globally for its enduring popularity and timeless appeal. Its immaculate, luxurious gold construction, featuring a robust silhouette and a refined design, has long been associated with prestige.
Worn by visionaries and world leaders, this symbol of aspirational beauty and status, garlanding the wrists of the most influential figures, has long represented achievement and success. The Day-Date was the first wristwatch to display both the date and the day of the week, spelled out in full, depicting Rolex’s commitment to detailed craftsmanship, signaling timeless innovation and intricate artistry, and showcasing upgrades that signify Rolex's horological prowess.
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