The Rolex Day-Date is still our pick for the best Rolex of all time, ahead of the Milgauss and the Explorer II. We rebuilt this list in 2026 with current status for each model: two (the Oysterquartz and the Milgauss) are no longer made, and Rolex raised many US prices on 1 January 2026.
Prices below are the figures visible on the brand’s US site in snapshots we reviewed, or trade reports of the January 2026 increase. Rolex changes them without notice, so confirm on its site before you buy.
| Rank | Watch | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rolex Day-Date | Since 1956; yellow gold about $50,400 |
| 2 | Rolex Milgauss | Discontinued 2023; record CHF 2.24 million |
| 3 | Rolex Explorer II | Introduced 1971 |
| 4 | Rolex Datejust | Launched 1945; Datejust 41 from $9,150 |
| 5 | Rolex Yacht-Master II | Regatta chronograph, 2007 |
| 6 | Rolex GMT-Master II | Steel Jubilee: $12,000 after January 2026 |
| 7 | Rolex Cosmograph Daytona | Since 1963; steel from $16,900 |
| 8 | Rolex Oysterquartz | Made 1976 to 2001 |
| 9 | Rolex Submariner | Launched 1953; Date from $11,350 |
| 10 | Rolex Sea-Dweller | Launched 1967; rated to 1,220 m |
1. Rolex Day-Date: Since 1956; yellow gold about $50,400
Presented in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to show the day of the week spelled out in full. It has only ever been made in gold or platinum, apart from six stainless pieces. President Lyndon Johnson wore a gold one in 1965, which gave the President bracelet its name.
The brand’s US site showed a yellow gold Day-Date 40 at about $50,400, an Everose gold one at $54,200 and a platinum, diamond-set one at $126,450 in snapshots we reviewed. Buy a Day-Date or shop the brand.
2. Rolex Milgauss: Discontinued 2023; record CHF 2.24 million
The Milgauss was introduced in 1956 for scientists working near electromagnetic fields, with a magnetic shield. Rolex discontinued it in 2023. A Milgauss sold at Phillips in May 2023 for 2.24 million Swiss francs (about US$2.5 million), a record for the model. Browse Milgauss listings.
3. Rolex Explorer II: Introduced 1971
The Explorer II arrived in 1971 as a watch for cave explorers, with a fixed 24-hour bezel and an orange or red arrow hand. The current reference 226570 uses calibre 3285. We did not find a verified current US list price, so check with an authorized dealer. Buy it here.
4. Rolex Datejust: Launched 1945; Datejust 41 from $9,150
Launched in 1945 for Rolex’s 40th anniversary, the Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch with a date in a window, and the first Jubilee bracelet. Sizes run from 28 mm to 41 mm. On the brand’s US site Datejust 41 prices ran from $9,150 in Oystersteel to $17,550 in Oystersteel and Everose gold. Buy a Datejust.
5. Rolex Yacht-Master II: Regatta chronograph, 2007
Rolex released the Yacht-Master II in 2007 as the world’s first watch with a programmable countdown from one to ten minutes using a mechanical memory. We could not confirm whether it is still in the current catalogue, so check availability with an authorized dealer. Buy it here.
6. Rolex GMT-Master II: Steel Jubilee: $12,000 after January 2026
The GMT-Master II is the pilot’s watch with a second time zone hand. Trade reporting says the steel Jubilee model, reference 126710GRNR, rose from $11,300 to $12,000 on 1 January 2026, while the brand’s US site showed an Oystersteel and Everose gold GMT-Master II 40 at $20,050. Purchase the GMT-Master II.
7. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: Since 1963; steel from $16,900
The Daytona has been made since 1963 in several series, as a racing timer named after Daytona Beach. It uses the calibre 4131 with a vertical-clutch chronograph. The brand’s US site showed a steel Daytona at $16,900, Oystersteel and yellow gold at $24,550 and platinum at $84,600 in snapshots we reviewed, and trade reports said steel rose from $16,000 to $16,900 on 1 January 2026.
The watch was photographed on both Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner after the 2025 Wimbledon final. Shop the Daytona.
8. Rolex Oysterquartz: Made 1976 to 2001
Rolex built the Oysterquartz from 1976 until 2001 and dropped its quartz calibers from the catalogue by 2003. It is no longer made, so it is a vintage buy today, and the rest of Rolex’s range is mechanical.
9. Rolex Submariner: Launched 1953; Date from $11,350
The first Submariner went into production in 1953 and was shown at the 1954 Basel fair, waterproof to 100 metres. In 2020 Rolex retired the chunky Super Case for a case of about 41 mm, and the current line is built around reference 126610LN with a power reserve of about 70 hours.
The brand’s US site showed the Submariner Date in Oystersteel at $11,350 in a recent snapshot, and the no-date model rose from $9,500 to $10,050 on 1 January 2026, according to trade reporting. See it here.
10. Rolex Sea-Dweller: Launched 1967; rated to 1,220 m
Rolex developed the Sea-Dweller in the second quarter of 1967 with a helium escape valve for saturation divers, though it only reached the public in 1971. Today’s Sea-Dweller is rated to 1,220 metres, and the Deepsea version to 3,900 metres. Since 2017’s reference 126600 the Sea-Dweller has a 43 mm case and a date magnifier.
Rolex also added a 50 mm Deepsea Challenge variant rated to 11,000 metres in 2022. The brand does not list a Sea-Dweller price in the pages we could reach, so check a seller for current offers.
Keep reading
- Top 10 Luxury Watch Brands in the World: where Rolex sits among its rivals
- Most expensive watches ever made: the other end of the price scale
- 10 Best TAG Heuer Watches of All Time: an alternative for the Daytona crowd
FAQ
What is the best Rolex of all time?
In our ranking, the Day-Date, the gold watch introduced in 1956 as the first to spell out the day of the week.
How much is a Rolex Submariner?
The brand’s US site showed the Submariner Date in Oystersteel at $11,350 in a recent snapshot. The no-date model rose to $10,050 on 1 January 2026.
Did Rolex raise prices in 2026?
Yes. Trade reports say Rolex raised many US prices on 1 January 2026, with steel Submariner and Daytona rises of about 6%.
Is the Rolex Milgauss still made?
No. Rolex discontinued it in 2023, and one sold for CHF 2.24 million at Phillips that May.
What was the Rolex Oysterquartz?
A quartz line made from 1976 to 2001.
How we put this list together
The order is editorial. Production history and technical facts come from model histories, and prices are from the brand’s US site as seen in snapshots or from trade reports of the 2026 increases. Prices change often.
Last updated: October 2026.
