The Top 5 Rolex Watches for Men

The Rolex catalog consists of a small collection of pillar models, among which there are countless variations.  From simple, time-only dress watches to bold tool watches with complicated movements and intricate dials; there is a Rolex watch to suit almost any style.  While there are many options to choose from, we’ve compiled a brief list of the top 5 Rolex watches that every collector should consider adding to their watch box.

The Rolex Submariner

The brand’s infamous dive watch is a no-brainer for any must-have list.  In addition to offering an impressive depth rating and necessary underwater features, such as a unidirectional time-lapse bezel and a dial topped with a luminous display, the Submariner also features an iconic style that is instantly recognizable.  The newer model Rolex Submariner 116610 is of particular interest to collectors for its use of a ceramic Cerachrom bezel insert, larger luminous display on the dial, and use of a resilient and affordable stainless steel finish.  Its slight resemblance to the vintage James Bond Rolex via a stainless steel finish and black dial and bezel further bolsters its desirability among the watch community.

The ref. 116610 has been on the market for quite some time now, making it relatively easy to find both new and pre-owned.

The Rolex GMT Master II

Topping our list is one of the most exciting additions to the lineup in the past year, the Rolex GMT Master II 126710.  Introduced at BaselWorld 2018, this GMT is the first instance of a two-tone ceramic Pepsi bezel on a stainless steel watch.  Furthermore, the case wears on a classic Jubilee bracelet, another first for the ceramic bezel GMT Master II.  From the rich hue of the two-tone bezel to the supple hold of the new-style Jubilee bracelet and the slightly broader case, the ref. 126710 is quickly becoming many collectors’ grail watch.  

While there is a long waitlist for this highly sought-after GMT, these watches are already beginning to trickle onto the secondary market.

The Rolex Explorer

If you prefer a sports watch with a minimalistic yet functional approach, the Rolex Explorer might be the perfect watch for your collection.  The case features a smooth bezel, as opposed to a rotating bezel topped with units, and a time-only dial.  Newer models, such as the ref. 214270 also boast an upgraded case size of 39mm, allowing it to wear more like a dress watch while offering many of the features of a sports watch that avid collectors seek.  The ref. 214270 also boasts an impressive list of upgrades, including a Chromalight display that emits a bright blue glow while in the dark, an upgraded stainless steel finish patented by Rolex as Oystersteel, and a chronometer-rated calibre 3132 perpetual movement.

The Explorer 214270 was released in 2010 and then again in 2016 with upgraded hands on the dial.  Both variations can be found new and on the secondary market with later-model dials among the most desirable.

The Rolex President Day-Date

There is no other timepiece in the Rolex catalog that embodies the powerful and luxurious aesthetic of the Rolex brand quite like the Day-Date.  Since day one, when it was simply known as the Day-Date, the model exuded opulence and high-class.  Shortly after its release when it began to appear on the wrists of some of the world’s most powerful men, including several former Presidents, Rolex started to advertise it as the President Day-Date.  Every luxury watch collection needs at least one serious investment piece, and the Day-Date delivers with a finish that is crafted solely from impeccably made gold.

The modern President Day-Date ref. stays true to the classic style of the 1950s-era model while also offering several modern amenities, such as a luminous display on the dial, a higher-beat movement, and the option of a flat-link Oyster bracelet.  If you’re looking for a great deal on this watch, purchasing one used from a reputable dealer is the best option.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual

The Oyster Perpetual has been in production longer than any other timepiece on our list.  That fact alone tells you just how incredible the Oyster Perpetual is.  Through the years it has managed to hold on to the timeless style that makes it so desirable among collectors while also offering a modern design in the form of contemporary dial options, a slightly larger 39mm case diameter, and an upgraded calibre 3132 self-winding movement.

The newer model Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300 is a must-have as it brings with it a more budget-friendly price-point than most of the modern Rolexes that are currently on the market.