The 12 Best Rolex Watches To Buy

If you asked 100 people on the street to name the first watch brand that comes to mind, 99 would say Rolex. It’s the largest Swiss watchmaker in history; one of the most famous brands in the world (of any industry); and today, is making the best watches it’s ever made, more than a century after it was founded.

Rolex is a company with enough history, enough nuance, and enough market-dominating scale for dozens of business school theses to be written about it. So while we don’t have room to tell the whole tale of one of the world’s most interesting and unique brands, we can take a closer look at the very best watches that currently reside within the Rolex catalogue.

From the legendary collections that everyone knows — the Submariner, Daytona, and GMT Master-II — to the rarer and more recent ranges such as the Day-Date or Sky-Dweller, this list covers all bases. No matter if you’re thinking about buying your first Rolex and want a shortlist of the best options, or you’re a seasoned collector seeking inspiration for the next couple of purchases, these are the finest watches Rolex is making today.

RELATED: 5 Vintage Rolex Watches Worth Your Time And Investment

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BH Approved: Our Favourite Rolex Watch

At Watches & Wonders 2023, Rolex had more than a couple of surprises. From ‘the enamel-dial jigsaw ‘jigsaw’ dial Day-Dates to the platinum Daytona with open caseback, to the debut of the 1908 collection, it was one of the strongest showings in years. However, as far as flawless on-paper daily wearers go — with that quality translating to the experience on the wrist — the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium is a remarkable feat from the Big Crown.

Despite many commentators opining it “came out of nowhere,” eagle-eyed Instagram sleuths spotted its prototype on the wrist of sailor and Rolex ambassador Sir Ben Ainslie at the end of 2020 (in action right here). The prototype has a few differences from the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium before us, which is much more pragmatically designed — for those more likely to get wet in hotel pools than on the deck of a competition sailing yacht.

Hewn from 42mm of RLX (Rolex’s own proprietary version of Grade 5 titanium), it’s an unambiguously performance-focused watch with a respectable 100m of water resistance. It’s not a new movement powering the watch, but the ever-reliable calibre 3235 with a 70-hour power reserve and a date function, which is the same movement inside many Datejust and Sea-Dweller references.

Predictably, this isn’t an easy watch to find at your local authorised dealer, but if you are one of the lucky few to add the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium to your collection, make sure you enjoy it to the fullest.

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The Best Rolex Watches To Add To Your Collection

Rolex GMT Master-II Ref. 126710GRNR

Released at Watches & Wonders 2024, this latest expression of the famed Rolex GMT watch is more subtle than we’ve seen in previous generations. While many collectors and those in the media were predicting a GMT Master-II with a black and red “Coke” bezel (which was instead offered by Tudor), it was the same black and grey 24-hour bezel we saw in 2023 on the two-tone and yellow gold GMT Master-II references (apart from the bezel markings).

While the “Pepsi” and “Batman” GMT Master-II references are known for their colours, the 2024 ref. 126710GRNR is far stealthier in comparison and features just a couple of green highlights on the dial. It’s been a little while since the entirely black-bezelled GMT disappeared from the Rolex catalogue, so the arrival of this under-the-radar alternative is more than welcome.

Cased in 40mm of steel and arriving with your choice of a matching steel Oyster or Jubilee bracelet, it’s got everything we know and love about the GMT Master-II collection. Powered by the automatic calibre 3285 with 70 hours of power reserve, there’s little doubt this will be a highly sought-after reference.

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Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 126610LN

The word “icon” is thrown around a lot by watch journalists (including yours truly) but if there was ever one watch that deserved just such a title, it’s the Rolex Submariner.

Its truly timeless design is one that’s been copied by almost every other watchmaker on the planet, with the black ceramic bezel and dial combo — housed in stainless steel, with a matching bracelet — the literal archetype of dive watches today.

The most recent Rolex Submariner Date Ref. 126610LN was launched back in 2020, with an increased 41mm case size, slimmer lugs, wider bracelet, and an enlarged 70-hour power serve (thanks in part to the Chronergy escapement).

Many were initially sceptical of a larger case size, as the previous so-called “maxi-case” iteration was collectively understood to be less comfortable than its predecessor. However, following a couple of years in the market, enthusiasts have really come to embrace the newest iteration of the iconic Submariner.

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Rolex Day-Date 40 Ref. 228239

Just as the GMT Master-II Ref. 126710GRNR is the stealthiest version of a Rolex GMT we’ve seen in a little while, so too you could argue this white gold Day-Date 40 is one of the more sumptuously subtle Day-Dates launched in recent years.

Sure, it’s got a glimmering mother-of-pearl dial, playfully reflective faceted bezel, and baguette-cut diamonds for hour markers. However, there aren’t many watches using those materials that could go unnoticed from across the room and this Day-Date is one of them.

As its name suggests, it’s got a 40mm white gold case (12mm thick) and matching presidential bracelet, while it also enjoys 100m of water resistance and a solid 70 hours of power reserve. If you love the Day-Date but don’t want a watch screaming for attention, this is one you need to consider.

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Rolex Oyster Perpetual “Bubbles” Ref. 124300

No one has ever accused Rolex designers of having “too much fun,” but this celebratory Oyster Perpetual “Bubbles” Ref. 124300 is about as close as they’ve gotten in recent decades.

Featuring the ever-popular 41mm steel case, its turquoise blue dial is the canvas for an explosion of kaleidoscopic “bubbles” that look like someone’s just thrown a toddler into a carnival ball pit.

In the context of the typically glacial pace that change occurs within Rolex, this is a great (and highly unexpected) addition to the catalogue.

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Rolex Datejust 41 Ref. 126333

Just as the Rolex Submariner is the iconic dive watch, the Rolex Datejust is one of the most well-recognised timepieces on the planet. Easily the most popular and readily available collection within Rolex’s line-up, the beauty of the Datejust — beyond its perfect proportions and iconic fluted bezel — is how configurable it is.

Currently, there are three different Datejust sizes available (31mm, 36mm, 41mm), with your choice of yellow, white, or rose gold bezel. Additionally, there are dozens of different dial and bracelet options, meaning a Datejust will always feel very personal on the wrist; even if they aren’t that uncommon in the wild.

Our personal favourite Datejust blends the 80s-era opulence of two-tone steel and yellow gold, with the contemporary sizing of 41mm. It’s another truly timeless classic: just one of many such gems in the Rolex universe.

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Rolex 1908 Ref. 52506

After its much-celebrated debut in 2023 (and becoming a favourite of Roger Federer), the Rolex 1908 collection returned in 2024 to add a platinum-cased reference to the line-up, complete with an engine-turned dial. As the new Rolex dress watch on the block, a platinum option was the next logical step for the collection and the Big Crown hasn’t disappointed with the ref. 52506.

It features a balanced 39mm case (which is slim enough to fit under a tailored cuff at 9.5mm from front to back), as well as the 3, 6, 9, hour markers and Breguet-style hour hand we first saw last year. But where it stands out is the dial’s guilloché engraving pattern, which radiates out from the seconds subdial at 6 o’clock and gives it tremendous visual depth.

For anyone hunting a serious dress watch, the 1908 collection is more than worth investigating (especially cased in platinum).

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Rolex Sky-Dweller Ref. 336934

In the middle of the last century, Rolex was known for making complex (and incredibly costly) calendar watches, but the Sky-Dweller was the first completely new model the brand had unveiled in two decades when it first launched in 2012.

In 2023, it received a facelift in the form of new dial colours, bracelet options, and the calibre 9002 (now outfitted with a Chronergy escapement and Parachrom hairspring). The minty green dial looks great, particularly with the Jubilee bracelet you can now get for the Sky-Dweller, making what was a big watch quite a bit comfier on the wrist.

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Rolex Day-Date 36 “Jigsaw” Ref. 128238

Just as the “Bubbles” Oyster Perpetual raised a few eyebrows, the announcement of the 36mm Rolex Day-Date 36 “Jigsaw”, and its siblings in rose and white gold, left jaws on the floor.

Your typical Day-Date has long been considered an “old man watch”, but it now comes with a puzzle-piece enamelled dial, as well as a date window that shows emojis instead of numbers, and a day aperture that shows off phrases (reminiscent of the “Stella” models of decades past).

It’s certainly not to everyone’s taste, but it’s so wild we love it, as it once again shows Rolex can have a little fun every now and then. Not only that, but in Rolex’s world, “fun” entails traditional enamelling; setting hour markers with a literal rainbow of baguette sapphires; and serving all that up in a solid gold package.

Unfortunately, this mini-collection is “off catalogue,” meaning you’ll need to be in your authorised dealer’s good books to get a chance at procuring one. It’s also not on the Rolex website, nor is there an MSRP, but if you’re after a pre-owned example expect to pay +$200,000.

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Rolex Explorer Ref. 224270

The Rolex Explorer isn’t as attention-seeking as a Datejust, nor is it as famous as a Submariner, but for many collectors, the watch’s under-the-radar status makes it one of the best daily wearers on the market.

In 2023 Rolex offered the Explorer in a new 40mm size for the first time, boasting a refined case profile and an improved bracelet, making it a brilliant entry-level modern Rolex and one that has already proven popular.

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Rolex GMT Master-II “Pepsi” Ref. 126710BLRO

The Rolex GMT Master-II “Pepsi” Ref. 126710BLRO isn’t a new watch by any means, but when it was first released a few years back it was an instant hit and remains one of the best modern Rolexes of the last few decades (it’s great in white gold too).

The 40mm steel case is perfectly proportioned and balanced on the wrist; the jubilee bracelet is a remarkable piece of engineering; and the blue/red bezel has been a legendary colour combo since Rolex introduced it in the mid-1950s.

It’s hard to overstate how good this watch is on the wrist, not only for those frequent flyers who actually use a GMT, but even for the person who doesn’t have a passport, it’s a perfectly wearable timepiece. As a result of the history of its design and the quality of this current generation of “Pepsi” GMT, it’s not the easiest to find at retail, but the wait will be worth it for generations to come.

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Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126506

Last, but certainly not least, is the platinum Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126506. Sure, the stainless steel version is a great watch and more affordably priced — relatively speaking — but if we’re talking about the “best Rolex watches,” you need to include at least one platinum exemplar in the list (the 40mm Day-Date in this metal is another elite operator).

The platinum Daytona is an upgrade from its predecessor for a number of reasons, but most obviously for the exhibition-style caseback that gives a great view of the new calibre 4131 within.

The dial design has been tweaked and the case profile made sleeker, while the instantly recognisable icy blue dial and chocolate brown ceramic bezel remain as before. For those with the good standing to purchase this on request, this certainly won’t be your first Daytona — but it could well be your last.

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Now that you’re acquainted with all of the best Rolex watches of the year, take a look at a couple of our favourite related articles below:

• The 20 Most Expensive Watches Ever Sold
• Mirka Federer Secretly Owns The Greatest Rolex Collection We’ve Ever Seen
• 5 Vintage Rolex Watches Worth Your Time And Investment
• How To Start A Watch Collection: A Guide To Building The Collection Of Your Dreams
• Patrick Bateman Actually Wore A Seiko (Not Rolex) In ‘American Psycho’