Rolex is arguably the most influential watch brand, so much so that it’s a household name. It’s estimated that more than half of all men desire a Rolex, even if it’s not their first choice, then as a backup. To discuss which Rolex models sell well, we first need to understand the available models. Broadly speaking, Rolex has three categories of watches: day-date and day of the week calendar models for daily wear; sports models like the Submariner and Milgauss; and the purely formal watches represented by the Cellini. Today, let’s talk about which Rolex models are popular.
We can look at Rolex’s product line, which consists of 14 major series. In the second half of 2018, the brand divided all series into two categories based on style: “Classic” and “Professional.”
The “Classic Watches” include six series: Day-Date, Datejust, Oyster Perpetual, SKY-DWELLER, Pearlmaster, and Cellini, which can be considered Day-Date and its siblings. Among these, the Oyster Perpetual deserves special mention; if you remove the full day display at the 12 o’clock position from the Day-Date, it becomes the Datejust. Remove the date at the 3 o’clock position, and you get the Oyster Perpetual. As the entry-level Rolex, it is also the longest-running series in all of Rolex’s offerings, originating from the first waterproof watch in the world in 1926 – the prototype of the Oyster watch. It comes in five sizes: 26, 31, 34, 36, and 39mm, all in stainless steel with a simple, classic design. I highly recommend the Oyster Perpetual as the entry-level choice for Rolex.
If you ask how unpopular the Cellini is? Then, the discontinued square Prince series, still on sale, illustrates its limited appeal. If you’re planning to buy your first Rolex, I would not recommend the Cellini, as it is still in the product preparation phase. The currently popular Rolex sports models have become popular over many years of cultivation.
Besides, there are eight “Professional Watches” series, which, according to their popularity in the first half of this year, can be divided into three levels:
- Daytona, GMT II, Submariner;
- Sea-Dweller, Yacht-Master, Explorer;
- Milgauss, Air-King.
Especially worth mentioning is the GMT. Previously, many people chose GMT because they couldn’t get a Submariner, and a few preferred it for its slightly thinner and more comfortable feel. The first ceramic bi-color bezel was introduced in 2013 with the blue-black 116710BLNR Batman, which was not as popular as the Hulk green Submariner. The classic red-blue ceramic bezel white gold 116719BLRO came out in 2014 and wasn’t very hot until it was discontinued last year.
The GMT really heated up in January 2017 during the Australian Open men’s singles, when Federer defeated Nadal to win his 18th Grand Slam, breaking a 4.5-year Grand Slam championship drought and reaffirming his position as the “greatest of all time.” A photo of him holding the trophy wearing the blue-black GMT circulated globally. As a tennis king growing up with the millennials, whose purchasing power matches perfectly, it has since become a sought-after watch.
If your goal is just to buy a watch, actually paying a premium costs less than for the first two. Besides, time is the most valuable commodity, and high-end replica watches are not a necessity; what’s truly priceless is the thrill of the moment. However, if you aim to always buy the hottest models as soon as they are released, then don’t pay a premium; just focus on buying more in one place. Similarly, if you already have a favorite watch, waiting a few years in line is also fine.
So, which modern Rolex is the most worthwhile to acquire?
My opinion: Daytona, Submariner, and Day-Date. The modern craze essentially started with the Daytona, with its case diameter, thickness, crown, and three-sub-dial layout. Ah! It’s not that I like your style, but that I like every style you have. The Submariner needs no further explanation; it is too well-known and often the first love of many Rolex enthusiasts. The Day-Date is the ultimate model for Rolex fans. On the largest Rolex forum, ROLEX Forums, there was a poll titled “If you could only keep one Rolex,” in which a significant number of enthusiasts participated. In the end, the Day-Date won by a slight margin over the Submariner and Daytona, and this has been the case in several polls over the past ten years, with the Day-Date always coming out on top. Many people liked this year’s new Day-Date 36 with a yellow gold green dial; it would be perfect if all ten markers were diamonds.
TOP 1: Submariner Date
The Submariner Date has always been one of Rolex’s hottest models, with a popularity that ranks at the top across all product lines. The gold crown with a gemstone further highlights its special status, inheriting Rolex’s robust and durable characteristics, setting a great example for the upcoming Submariner series.
TOP 2: Cosmograph Daytona
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, introduced in 1963, was designed to meet the demands of professional endurance racers, equipped with a reliable tachymetric scale outer ring, capable of measuring speeds up to 400 kilometers/hour, miles. This iconic watch aligns with the spirit and excellent performance sought by racers, blending high-tech with unique aesthetics, and has become a globally renowned and favored chronograph.
TOP 3: Cellini Dual Time
The Cellini Dual Time allows wearers to keep track of time in different zones with its dual-edged sword-shaped central hands, and the hour hand can be independently adjusted by the “jumping” mechanism, showing the time in the current timezone without affecting the watch’s normal operation or the precision of its automatic winding movement. With its refined and elegant lines, noble and beautiful materials, and luxurious embellishments and perfect details, it displays the classical style and elegant temperament of traditional clocks.
TOP 4: Milgauss
The Rolex Milgauss features a green glass crystal combined with an electric blue dial, creating a vivid and eye-catching visual effect. From the front, the crystal appears colorless, revealing the metallic blue dial, but from the side, the crystal exhibits a distinctive green glow, paired with an orange lightning bolt-shaped second hand, and large luminescent hour markers with orange minute scales, making this scientific oddity even more captivating.
TOP 5: Yacht-Master II
The Yacht-Master II is the most complex watch in Rolex’s active product line, a result of over a decade of development, representing a comprehensive breakthrough in complex design, achieving superior stability and becoming a classic. It is equipped with a countdown function designed for yacht racing, making it the world’s first chronograph with a mechanical memory countdown function.
In conclusion, regardless of which Rolex model you choose, you should return to rationality. So, if you truly love it, you would have acted already; if you are just following the crowd, then I suggest you pause and calm down before making a decision. Thank you for watching!
