used Rolex

Rolex watches are among the most coveted timepieces in existence. Hardly any other brand is as closely associated with luxury and prestige as the Geneva-based manufacturer with the crown in its logo.

However, the desirability of Rolex watches means that new models are hard to come by at boutiques. So if you want to buy a Rolex without a long wait, you should definitely keep an eye on the pre-owned watch market. The used watch market is booming, because the selection is huge and ranges from current models to rare vintage classics. That means that newcomers and seasoned collectors alike can almost always find what they're looking for. Plus, opting for a pre-owned Rolex can often save you some money.

Most Popular Used Rolex Watches at a Glance

• Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: legendary sports chronograph with a tricompax dial
• Rolex Submariner: iconic diving watch
• Rolex GMT-Master: the gold standard for watches with a second time zone
• Rolex Datejust: the prototype of the sporty dress watch since 1945
• Rolex Day-Date: the watch of presidents

Due to the wealth of models that Rolex has introduced to the market since its founding in 1905, the price range for the manufacture's timepieces is considerable. On Chrono24, prices range from around 1,100 USD for simple three-hand watches from the 1960s to over 760,000 USD for particularly sought-after collector's items.

The majority of pre-owned Rolex watches change hands for between roughly 4,300 and 22,000 USD. Along with the model, material, and condition of the watch, the decisive factor when if come to price is the scope of delivery, i.e., whether the watch comes with the original box and papers. A full set will always fetch a higher price than the watch alone.

Buy a Pre-Owned Rolex Safely on Chrono24

Once you've found your dream Rolex among the approximately 100,000 Rolex listings on Chrono24, you can order the watch without having to wait, thanks to Chrono24 Buyer Protection. Part of this secure buying process is our escrow service, which ensures that the purchase price is not paid out to the seller until the watch is in your hands, and you're satisfied that it matches the description in the listing.

The Daytona is a classic racingchronograph and has been part of the Rolex catalog since 1963. Although the watch was not a great success at the time of its release, over the years it became one of the Geneva-based manufacturer's most popular models. One reason for this was certainly the numerous celebrities who've been seen wearing the Daytona. Hollywood star Paul Newman, who liked to wear the Daytona ref. 6241 with an "exotic dial," occupies a special position in this regard. Versions with an exotic dial are nicknamed the "Paul Newman Daytona" by Rolex fans and are also quite rare, which makes them correspondingly expensive. Well-maintained stainless steel models regularly demand investments of between 109,000 and 326,000 USD. The particularly rare yellow gold variant even breaks the 760,000 USD mark.

The Daytona ref. 16520 is also very popular among collectors. Rolex produced this watch from 1988 to 2000. The special feature: the modified Zenith El Primero caliber inside. Used models in good condition cost around 36,000 USD on Chrono24 in early 2023.

The cheapest used Daytona that you can buy on Chrono24 is ref. 116520. You should budget around 27,000 USD for this watch.

The Rolex Submariner is considered the diving watch par excellence. Introduced in the early 1950s, the watch has become an integral part of the Rolex catalog. The brand with the crown offers a choice of models with or without a date display, whereby timepieces without a date display are only available with a black dial and bezel. Date models, on the other hand, also come with green or blue dials and/or bezels.

These colorful models, also known to Rolex enthusiasts as the Kermit, Hulk, or Smurf, fetch prices ranging from 17,000 to 44,000 USD in good condition, depending on the model. This makes them a good deal more expensive than comparable standard models. A pre-owned Submariner ref. 114060 without a date would have cost you just under 12,000 USD in May 2023, while ref. 116610LN will have set you back about 13,000 USD pre-owned. For a used successor reference like 124060 or 126610LN introduced in 2020, plan to spend about 14,000 USD.

If you'd prefer a vintage watch or particularly rare variant of the Submariner, such as the Submariner COMEX, prices rise sharply, with sums of 109,000 USD and more are not uncommon for well-maintained specimens.

Watches in the GMT-Master collection are considered the standard in timepieces with a second time-zone. Rolex developed the watch in the 1950s for the American airline Pan Am. The 24-hour bezel was a stroke of genius, designed in two colors to distinguish between day and night. The original and still most popular color combination is red and blue, which Rolex fans like to call the "Pepsi" because of its similarity to the logo of the famous soft drink company. You can also opt for the red and black "Coke," the blue and black "Batman," or the beige and brown "Root Beer." Since 2022, Rolex has also offered a left-handed model with a green and black bezel, nicknamed the "Sprite."

The most affordable GMT-Master watches on Chrono24 cost between 13,000 and 14,200 USD in May 2023. In this price range, you'll find the GMT-Master 16700 with a Pepsi bezel, the GMT-Master II "Coke" ref. 16710, or the ref. 116710LN with a black ceramic bezel.

Newer stainless steel GMT-Master models like the "Batman" ref. 116710BLNR or current "Pepsi" ref. 126710BLRO cost between 16,800 and 21,100 USD pre-owned. If you're lucky, you'll also find two-tone versions of the current GMT-Master generation in this price range, too. If you'd prefer a timepiece made entirely of yellow or white gold, the price for pre-owned models climbs to between 43,500 and 51,200 USD.

The selection of available, well-maintained vintage GMT-Master models is vast. Depending on the model, production year, and condition, expect to pay between 15,000 and 55,000 USD for a used variant.

The Rolex Datejust has been in the manufacturer's catalog without interruption since 1945, and its recipe for success lies in its successful combination of sportiness and elegance, making it a watch for almost any occasion.

The Datejust collection is one of Rolex's most extensive. Thanks to countless dial variants and sizes, the line offers something for almost every taste and budget. This also applies to the pre-owned market, of course. On Chrono24, you can find ladies' Datejust models from the 1960s and 70s in stainless steel or two-tone versions starting at around 3,150 USD. Prices for older versions of the men's Datejust start at around 4,400 USD.

Younger pre-owned Datejust models in stainless steel change hands on Chrono24 for roughly 10,900 USD, while the price for two-tone versions climbs to around 14,600 USD. Pre-owned Datejust timepieces made of gold, on the other hand, command prices of between 22,000 and 38,000 USD.

Day-Date

The Rolex Day-Date has graced the wrists of countless politicians, tycoons, Hollywood stars, top athletes, and hip-hop artists. A symbol of prestige, the watch is unmistakable, thanks to its date display at 3 o'clock and the day of the week at 12. Like almost all Rolex watches, the Day-Date has been part of the product portfolio for several decades - since 1956, to be exact. The manufacturer has always produced the watch exclusively in precious metals like gold and platinum. The Rolex Day-Date is also available exclusively with the three-link President bracelet, renowned for its comfort.

Just like the Datejust, the Rolex Day-Date also comes with an extensive selection of dial variants and diameters of 36, 40, and 41 mm.

The selection of pre-owned Day-Date models is similar to that of the Datejust, and the price range is correspondingly broad. The most affordable versions are older models with a 36-mm yellow gold case, which changes hands on Chrono24 for roughly 13,600 USD. More recent gold models with a 40-mm diameter, on the other hand, cost between 45,700 and 56,500 USD, while used Day-Date models in platinum sit at the high end of the spectrum, demanding an investment of up to 76,000 USD or more.

Along with the models mentioned above, Rolex also offers numerous other watches that are in high demand on the secondary market. The Rolex Sea-Dweller is just one example. The collection evolved from the Submariner, but unlike the Submariner, the Sea-Dweller has an automatic helium valve and offers much more water resistance than its progenitor. Early models from the 1960s and 70s are water-resistant to 610 meters (2,000 ft), while timepieces in the current line can safely dive to 1,220 meters (4,000 ft). Depending on the production year and condition, plan to spend between 10,900 and 26,000 USD for a used Sea-Dweller.

Watches in the Explorer line are also very popular with Rolex fans. The standard model of the Explorer is a robust, sporty, and elegant three-hand watch, while the Explorer II doubles as an attractive alternative to the GMT-Master, thanks to its second time zone. Used stainless steel Explorer models from the recent past can be purchased on Chrono24 from around 6,300 USD. Vintage models in good condition can cost up to 22,000 USD. Depending on the model, prices for the Explorer II starts at about 8,600 USD. Again, you'll have to dig a little deeper for vintage versions, which demand an investment of over $30,000 USD.