What are the most iconic Rolex watches? The answer to that question is usually the Submariner, Daytona, Datejust, and GMT-Master. These watches are frequently regarded as the archetypes of luxury watches. Rolex’s prestige as the premier watchmaker is derived from the each watch’s past, such as the success in timekeeping at the 1953 British Everest Expedition and a subsequent dive to the bottom of the Mariana Trench by Jacques Piccard, precision engineering and manufacturing, and the exclusivity and universality of the brand beyond watchmaking. Their AAA+ replica watches are associated with human endeavour and success, as demonstrated by various world leaders, sports champions and even A-list movie stars.
The Deep Dive: 10 Most Iconic Rolex Models
Rolex has defined luxury watchmaking for over a century, creating timepieces that transcend mere function to become cultural icons worn by explorers, presidents, athletes, and celebrities. From the depths of the ocean to the summit of Everest, these ten Rolex models span across the history of Rolex watches, highlighting some of the top collections.
#1. Rolex Submariner (The Quintessential Diver)
Rolex released the Submariner in 1953. It is a professional diving watch and the model from which all dive watches since have taken their cue. But when Sean Connery wore a Rolex Submariner as James Bond in “Dr. No” in 1962, the watch went from being a niche tool watch to becoming an archetype and cultural icon that redefined what a luxury sports watch could be. The Submariner silhouette is today the most imitated watch in the world, and is featured at every price point by innumerable watch brands.
#2. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (The Racing Legend)
You might be surprised to hear that the Rolex Daytona had a hard time selling when it was introduced in 1963. Jewelers would offer free Daytonas as incentives to people buying other best selling Rolex copy watches. The tide shifted when Hollywood star Paul Newman wore his exotic dial version. It was sold for a record $17.8 million in an auction in 2017 to become the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at the time. The stainless steel Daytona with a ceramic bezel has years-long waiting lists at authorized dealers. On the grey market, it regularly sells for double its retail price.
The chronograph function and tachymeter scale on the bezel allow drivers to measure average speeds up to 400 kilometers or miles per hour. Modern Daytonas feature the in-house Caliber 4131 movement, which Rolex developed specifically for this model to improve reliability and reduce thickness.
#3. Rolex GMT-Master / GMT-Master II (The Pilot’s Choice)
Pan Am Airways approached Rolex in the 1950s to design and supply a watch with two time zones that could be read at a glance for pilots flying the new transatlantic routes. The answer was a fourth hand completing one rotation every 24 hours, and a bi-color rotating bezel, the development of which became a defining feature of the watch. The red and blue “Rolex Pepsi” bezel has by far become the most popular and sought-after colorway, but the blue and black “Rolex Batman” colorway has also gained cult status since its 2013 introduction.
The GMT-Master II, which is the second generation Rolex GMT-Master, was released in 1982. The hour hand could be adjusted independently, which was more practical for frequent travellers who needed to reset the time zone when crossing time zones without stopping the watch and affecting the accuracy of the second time zone.
#4. Rolex Datejust (The Daily Classic)
Rolex created the Rolex Datejust in 1945 to celebrate the brand’s 40th anniversary. It was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to feature the date in a window on the dial. In the 1950s, Rolex added the Cyclops lens which magnifies the date 2.5 times; this has become one of the most-recognized features in watch design. Available with cases from 28mm to 41mm and in steel, gold, two-tone Rolesor and dozens of dial variations, there are more different Datejust models than any other Rolex watch.
When reviewing the Rolex Datejust, the models popularity might be due to the versatility associated with this timepiece. This versatility is why the Datejust has been in continuous production for 80 years. From boardroom to beach, the Swiss fake Rolex watches moves seamlessly and is a favorite of those who prefer one quality watch to suit all occasions.
#5. Rolex Day-Date (The President)
The Rolex Day-Date is made exclusively in precious metal (18k gold or 950 platinum), making it one of the most expensive collections in the brand’s portfolio. Most recognize it from the unique three-link President bracelet initially developed for the collection and named after its impressive roster of past U.S. Presidents who have worn it, from Lyndon B. Johnson to Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump.
The Day-Date, also referred to as the Rolex Presidential, was the first watch to spell out the day of the week in full at 12 o’clock in 26 languages. This complication, along with the date display at 3 o’clock and requirement for prestigious metals, sets the Day-Date as Rolex’s ultimate status symbol.
#6. Rolex Explorer (The Mountaineer’s Watch)
Rolex equipped the 1953 British expedition that first summited Mount Everest with top copy Rolex watches. Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the summit on May 29. There is some question as to which Rolex model actually reached the summit first, but later that year the Rolex Explorer was launched as a tribute to the climb. It features large Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock for legibility under all conditions, a feature that has seen little change in 70 years.
Explorer is built on a reputation of rugged simplicity and reliability rather than complexity or gold. The Rolex 124270, the current 36mm model is one of the most useable sizes Rolex makes.
What Makes a Rolex “Iconic”?
- Exceptional Resale Value: Rolex watches hold 60–85% of their original retail value, with some models such as the Daytona and GMT-Master II “Pepsi” commanding over-retail prices on the secondary market. Reasons for this include their controlled supply, constant demand and the quality of the watches themselves, which is such that many Rolex watches continue to operate correctly for multiple generations.
- Full In-House Manufacturing: Rolex makes all the components in its watches, including the Oystersteel alloy and the gold for cases, the synthetic sapphire crystals and the Chromalight luminous material. Having all four manufacturing facilities in Switzerland allows Rolex full control of quality and enables innovations such as Cerachrom bezels and Paraflex shock absorbers, which are not available to other brands.
- Moment of Truths: best clone Rolex watches have been present at the most significant moments in the history of mankind and in nature; on the top of Everest and on the bottom of the ocean, on the wrists of presidents and in Hollywood movie screens. Those associations are not just a marketing strategy: they are genuine watches that proved themselves in extreme conditions and extreme settings, long before becoming icons of luxury. Rolex’s association with organizations such as the National Geographic Society, and Rolex’s support of explorers are a direct continuation of this legacy.
