The Top 10 Most popular Rolex watches

Introduction

Rolex is one of the most recognizable luxury watch brands in the world. Founded in 1905 in Switzerland, Rolex has come to symbolize prestige, status, and precision timekeeping. The company is renowned for making high-quality, durable mechanical watches. While Rolex offers a wide variety of watch models, some of their designs have become absolute classics, beloved by watch enthusiasts and collectors. In this article, we will explore the 10 most popular Rolex watches of all time. The watches that make this list have stood the test of time.

Gray and Sons is proud to offer such a wide variety of pre-owned Rolex watches, such as the Daytona, Submariner, Air King, Datejust, Yacht Master, Oyster Perpetual, GMT Master II, Milgauss, Explorer, Day-Date, Sky-Dweller, Sea-Dweller and many more. But today we will only focus on the top 10 most popular Rolex watches.

1- Rolex Daytona 116500LN in Stainless Steel Black dial 40mm Automatic Watch

The Rolex Daytona 116500LN represents the pinnacle of a stainless steel sports chronograph. Its 40mm stainless steel case frames a clean black dial, avoiding the busyness of multi-colored bezels and inserts. The contrasting silver subdials pop against the dark face, allowing easy readability of the chronograph minutes, hours, and seconds. Behind the stainless steel caseback lies Rolex's self-winding Caliber 4130 movement, crafted entirely in-house for precision timekeeping. Collectors obsess over the 116500LN for its refined yet sporty aesthetics and horological prestige.

2- Rolex Submariner 16613 Stainless Steel Blue dial 40mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Submariner 16613 in stainless steel and 18k with a blue dial, sized at 40mm and powered by an automatic movement, stands as an icon in watchmaking history. Introduced in the early 1950s, the Submariner was Rolex's pioneering dive watch, designed specifically for underwater exploration. Its blend of robust construction, water resistance, and a rotating bezel for tracking time made it an instant hit among professional divers. The allure of the Submariner lies in its timeless design evolution, with the 16613 model embodying the classic two-tone stainless steel and 18k yellow gold construction, showcasing both luxury and functionality, assuring its status as a symbol of rugged elegance and adventure. This popular pre-owned Rolex watch is available at Gray & Sons for collectors and enthusiasts to enjoy its enduring style and quality craftsmanship.

3- Rolex GMT Master Pepsi 1675 Stainless Steel Black dial 40mm Automatic watch

With its iconic red and blue bezel, vintage roots, and useful dual time zone function, the Rolex GMT-Master Pepsi ref. 1675 in stainless steel holds special appeal amongst collectors. Launched in the 1950s for airline pilots, the two-tone ceramic bezel allowed for tracking a second time zone, giving rise to the Pepsi nickname. While Rolex later stopped production of the bi-color bezel, its return in 2014 on the ref. 126710 boosted the Pepsi GMT back into the spotlight. Today, vintage 1675s with faded bezel colors carry a rustic charm not found in newer references.

4- Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 Stainless Steel Silver dial 40mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 is a highly desirable luxury sports watch that is part of Rolex's prestigious Yacht Master line. Introduced in 1992, the Yacht-Master was designed for use during water sports and yachting activities, with features like a water resistance rating to 100 meters and a rotatable bezel to help measure elapsed time.

The 16622 references the specific model of a 40mm stainless steel Yacht-Master with a silver dial. This versatile combination of a stainless steel case and bracelet paired with a stylish metallic dial gives the watch a nautical look that works well for casual and dress wear. The 16622 is powered by Rolex's Caliber 3135 automatic movement which is known for accuracy and reliability.  For these reasons, the 16622 remains popular among enthusiasts even after being discontinued in the late 2000s, a testament to the enduring appeal of this iconic pre-owned Rolex watch.

5- Rolex Oyster Perpetual 177200 Stainless Steel Blue dial 30mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 177200 in stainless steel with a blue dial, sized at 30mm and powered by an automatic movement, holds a significant place in Rolex history. Born from the iconic Oyster Perpetual line introduced in the 1930s, this model embodies Rolex's pioneering innovations, featuring the Oyster case known for its exceptional waterproofness and durability. The blend of timeless design, precision engineering, and Rolex's reputation for quality craftsmanship has made the Oyster Perpetual 177200 a popular watch.

6- Rolex Explorer 214270 Stainless Steel Black dial 39mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Explorer 214270 in stainless steel with a black dial and automatic movement is an iconic explorer refrence. It carries on the pioneering spirit of the original 1950s Explorer, designed for adventurers in harsh environments. The watch's enduring popularity stems from its functional yet elegant design. The robust stainless steel case and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensure durability. The Explorer's versatile and timeless style reflects its heritage of resilience and aspiration, making it an iconic watch for daily wear as well as exploration. This pre-owned Rolex Explorer 214270 is on sale now at Gray & Sons for a limited time only.

7- Rolex Milgauss 116400v stainless steel 40mm Automatic Watch

The Rolex Milgauss 116400V is an immensely popular Rolex watch in stainless steel and with an automatic movement renowned for its ability to withstand magnetic forces up to 1,000 Gauss (mille Gauss in French), making it ideal for professionals in scientific or medical fields. This innovative timepiece maintains Rolex's signature polished Oyster case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and luminescent hands. The most distinctive design element is the green sapphire crystal that gives a unique pop of color. Powered by Rolex's self-winding 3131 movement certified for precision, the Milgauss offers technical capabilities and magnetic resistance unprecedented in an automatic wristwatch.

8- Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 Stainless Steel Black dial 40mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Sea-Dweller 1665 is a popular 40mm stainless steel automatic diving watch wanted for its incredible water resistance up to 610 meters (2000 feet). This pioneering timepiece maintains Rolex's signature Oyster case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, rotatable bezel, and luminescent dots, while featuring a sleek black dial protected by a helium escape valve. Powered by Rolex's self-winding 1575 movement certified for precision, the Sea-Dweller offers unmatched water resistance paired with a versatile 40mm case reflecting the rugged durability and pioneering spirit that makes Rolex so iconic.

9- Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 Stainless Steel Black dial 42mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 is an innovative 42mm stainless steel automatic watch that stands out for dual time zone complication. This distinguished timepiece features Rolex's signature robust Oyster case, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, fluted bezel, and luminescent hands, while showcasing a black dial with the patented Ring Command system to set the watch's functions. Powered by the self-winding 9001 caliber movement, the Sky-Dweller provides GMT function and date display in a strikingly engineered format. Its blend of practical complications, sporty yet elegant design, and Rolex pedigree has made the Sky-Dweller an increasingly sought-after model among luxury watch enthusiasts. This unused Rolex Sky-Dweller 326934 is on sale for a limited time at Gray & Sons.

How to Use the Rolex Sky Dweller - Video Review, Demonstration, and Instructions

10- Rolex Day-Date 18038 18k Gold dial 36mm Automatic watch

The Rolex Day-Date, reference 18038, is an iconic luxury watch known for its distinctive 18k yellow gold case and 'President' bracelet. With its 36mm case size, fluted bezel, and champagne colored dial, the Day-Date has an elegant and refined aesthetic. Crafted in Rolex's own workshops, the automatic mechanical movement is precise and reliable. The Day-Date has enduring popularity due to its luxurious gold construction, recognizable and versatile design, robust movement, and association with prestige. Worn by influential figures, the Day-Date remains an aspirational status symbol.

Conclusion

The 10 most popular Rolex watches highlighted in this overview include icons like the Daytona, Submariner, GMT Master, and Day-Date. These timeless models stand out for their precision movements, versatile styling, innovative features like chronographs or dual time zones, and luxurious materials ranging from stainless steel to 18k gold. Whether designed for professional use or formal elegance, pre-owned Rolex watches have endured as symbols of luxury, performance, and prestige. For over a century, Rolex has lived up to their reputation for excellence in watchmaking.

Get to Know More About Gray and Sons Jewelers - Luxury Watch and Estate Jewelry Specialists.

For over 43 years, Gray and Sons have specialized in the dealing of pre owned luxury watches like Rolex and many different luxury watch brands and estate jewelry like Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Bvlgari, Roberto Coin, Van Cleef and Arpels, and many other high end jewelry brands. Also, most of the items in our inventory have been repaired or restored and polished to like-new condition unless keeping the original condition serves the desired outcome of preserving uniqueness or antiquity of the item.

For those looking to sell watches, jewelry, diamonds, or sterling silver, our online guidance at Sell Us Your Jewelry simplifies the process. We provide professional valuation, secure shipping, and fair payment to make selling your valuables straightforward and rewarding. Our step-by-step instructions aim to keep sellers informed so they can confidently sell their cherished pieces.

#1 Seller of Pre-Owned Rolex Watches With decades of experience in luxury timepieces, Gray & Sons approaches Rolex sales with professional-level knowledge and authentication skills. Collectors can shop an impressive inventory of used Rolex watches at fair prices. While dealing in various luxury watches, Gray & Sons established themselves as trusted authorities for buying and selling authentic, pre-owned Rolex watches. Our expertise ensures customers find quality Rolex watches at attractive prices