Our Favorite Discontinued Stainless Steel Rolex Models Right Now

Stainless Steel Rolex Explorer 214270

As Rolex’s simplest sports watch model, the Explorer was traditionally available in only one size and material: 36mm stainless steel. However, over the last decade or so, Rolex has expanded the collection with new size options and even added a two-tone steel and yellow gold option.

Yet, one of our favorites is the steel Rolex Explorer ref. 214270, which is the only one that sports a 39mm case — often considered the Goldilocks dimension for watches as it suits a range of wrist sizes. The Explorer 214270 made its debut in 2010 and Rolex discontinued it in 2021. Understated yet iconic, robust yet luxurious, it’s no wonder that the Explorer is a favorite among watch enthusiasts and the 2142170 stands out as one of our favorite references of the entire lineup.

Stainless Steel Rolex Daytona 116520

Before the stainless steel automatic Rolex Daytona got a Cerachrom ceramic bezel in 2016, it was furnished with a matching steel bezel engraved with a tachymeter scale. And as much as we love the ceramic bezel on the Daytona, there’s something to be said for a full stainless steel Rolex Daytona, such as the ref. 116520 with a white dial.

Sporty, fresh, and classic, the Daytona 116520 was the very last stainless steel Daytona paired with a steel bezel that Rolex produced. And remains one of our top picks out of all of Rolex’s famous chronograph collection.

Stainless Steel Rolex Milgauss 116400

One of the biggest news to come out of Watches & Wonders 2023 was that Rolex discontinued the Milgauss line — again (the first time was in 1988 and the brand revived its anti-magenetic model in 2007). While we’ll never know exactly why Rolex discontinued the Milgauss, our hunch is that it was an often-overlooked model in the company’s vast catalog of huge hits.

Yet, if we revisit the lineup, there’s one model that we can’t help mulling over. It’s the short-lived stainless steel Rolex Milgauss 116400 with a white dial. This has got to be one of Rolex’s most fun watches in recent memories — we’ve got an orange lightning bolt hand, orange hour markers, and an orange minute track on the crisp white dial. This quirky Rolex watch is quite unlike anything else made by The Crown.

Stainless Steel Rolex Submariner 16610LV

Green Submariners are some of the most beloved by Rolex fans and it was the Submariner ref. 16610LV that started it all. Launched to honor the 40th anniversary of the Rolex Submariner in 2003, the reference 16610LV quickly picked up the “Kermit” nickname thanks to its striking green bezel on top of its stainless steel case.

Although Rolex has since made two other green Submariner references (a.k.a. the Hulk and the Cermit), the original one remains as one of our favorites. Manufactured before the bigger cases and ceramic bezels of today, this particular variant hails from an era of the classic Rolex Submariner proportions and design.

Stainless Steel GMT-Master II 16710

Rolex has been on a tear lately adding new bezel colorways to its prized GMT-Master II collection of pilot watches. There’s the blue and black “Batman,” the green and black “Sprite,” the brown and black “Root Beer,” and of course, the most famous of all, the blue and red “Pepsi.”

However, there’s one that’s been markedly missing for decades — the black and red “Coke” bezel, which was actually the very first bezel color that introduced the GMT-Master II watch in the 1980s. While we patiently wait for Rolex to reintroduce this popular two-tone bezel to the current collection (if that will ever happen), we’re happy to have the neo-vintage stainless steel GMT-Master II 16710 “Coke” within reach.

Pre-Owned Stainless Steel Rolex Models at Gray & Sons

At Gray & Sons, we are proud to offer a wide assortment of pre-owned stainless steel Rolex models from a range of eras, whether vintage, neo-vintage, modern, or current. If you’re on the hunt for a secondhand Rolex watch in steel, browse our selection of watches to find the right one for you. Alternatively, if you have a used Rolex to sell, visit our sister site, Sell Us Your Jewelry, for the best offers.