t’s time for our annual overview of Top 10 Rolex watches according to our readers. Based on the reads per article, we created an overview of the Top 10 Rolex watches that you like best.
In our 15 years of existence, we have covered Rolex very frequently. Not only because we like their watches a lot, but also because we know that you do. Did you know for example, that the demand for Rolex watches is unmatched on websites like Chrono24?
Based on the click and reading behaviour of our hundreds of thousands of unique visitors each month, we generated the following overview of the Top 10 Rolex watches (and ditto articles).
Top 10 Rolex Watches
It is a combination of modern and vintage Rolex, which also always remain the discussion among enthusiasts. There are pros and cons on either side and in our articles, we try to give you a couple of our thoughts on both accounts. We have a slight preference for vintage models ourselves, at least most of the Fratello editors, but the modern Rolex watches (if available) are simply HOT as well. The Top 10 Rolex watches overview below, has been generated using the interest in our Rolex articles in the past 12 months. Without further ado, here you go.
1. Rolex Submariner 116610LV ‘The Hulk’
The Rolex Submariner 116610LV (also known as ‘The Hulk’ for obvious reasons) was introduced in 2010 and a winner since the first moment. The demand for The Hulk is incredible and prices are going through the roof. A worthy successor of the former green Submariner (The Kermit), that was actually introduced to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Submariner. In this article, we compare the green Submariner with that other green version of an iconic diver. You can read it here.
2. Rolex Submariner 116610
Perhaps one of the most classic Rolex models, or best recognizable at least, is the Rolex Submariner (Date). Most of our team members have one (or two) of these, be it an early 5513 or a modern Submariner 116610 as shown above. This is a classic, and whether you pick this one or the one without a date (114060), you can’t go wrong. We did a Submariner overview here, and we also did a comparison with the Omega Seamaster here.
3. Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’
A Rolex GMT-Master II is hot, and perhaps hotter than it ever was before since the new Pepsi and Batman models. Since we look back 12 months for this overview, it was still the Pepsi that got the most interest. But the new Batman with Jubilee is a runner up for sure. We did an overview of all Rolex GMT-Master watches in this article, from the very first reference to today’s available models. Did you know that starting this year, the GMT-Master II in steel will only be available with a Jubilee bracelet?
4. Rolex Datejust
In our overview of last year, there wasn’t a single Datejust. But that changed. This might have been caused by the total lack of sports models at the authorized dealer, but also because the Datejust is just a cool watch. If you have never tried one, you should. This year, Rolex came up with a slightly updated 36mm Datejust 126234, but you also can’t go wrong with a 16234, 16200, 1601x or 160x.
5. Rolex Submariner 5513
From #1 last year to #5 this year. The 5513 is the Rolex with a very long production run, but especially the 5513 in this article performed very (very!) well in the last years.
6. Rolex Submariner 14060M
The Submariner 14060 is still hot! This discontinued model is sought-after and prices are ever-increasing. The last ‘real’ Rolex Submariner as people tend to call them, with their aluminium bezel and sleek lugs. Here’s a story Michael did on this Rolex Submariner 14060M watch with 4-liner dial.
7. Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Batman’ on Jubilee
The only reason this watch is on position 7, is that it has only been introduced a few months ago, so there was less ‘time’ for this Rolex GMT-Master ‘Batman’ 126710BLNR to get as many reads like the others. Although only the bracelet changed, it is still a magnificent watch and the demand is simply out of this world.
8. Rolex Daytona 116588 TBR
Don’t blame us, you clicked the article on this new Daytona 116588 TBR a lot of times. It is a strange fellow, but somehow it does attract attention. More information on this “Baselworld’s weirdest” can be found here.
9. Rolex Explorer 1016
Ah, some sense! There is little not to like about this Rolex Explorer reference 1016, despite the relatively small size of the case (36mm). If resources don’t allow you to buy a reference 1016, the 14270 is also a very cool alternative. As is the 39mm 214270, especially if you have big wrists. You can’t go wrong with a Rolex Explorer, never!
10. Rolex Day-Date
This year Rolex came correct by adding some more 36mm Day-Date variations, like the one above. A 36mm Day-Date will always work, no matter how tall, short, big or small you are. If it worked for Tony Soprano, it will work for you.
We have a lot of love for the Day-Date and you do as well. Whether it is the vintage reference 1803, or one of the newer references like the 18238 or the more recent Day-Date 40, referring to its 40mm diameter, the Day-Date is a dream to many. The President bracelet is one of the most comfortable bracelets ever (as we wrote here), but you can also rock it on a leather strap of course. This is simply a classic and if you can deal with the weight and the colour (and vale) of gold, you should aim for one. At least at some point. Here’s our article on the Day-Date 40 model.
Where possible we used references in our Top 10 Rolex watches overview, but in some cases, it was a bit difficult to separate.