The 10 Best Modern Rolex Watches to Buy in 2025

Ever since its founding in 1905, Rolex has long been synonymous with luxury, precision, and timeless style. From tool watches to dressier pieces, Rolex is the standard by which pretty much every other brand is compared. And this shows no signs of slowing down. You can tell by the fact that you can’t walk into an authorized Rolex retailer and buy a watch. You need a relationship with the retailer, purchase history, and patience. Because of all of this, modern Rolex models are some of the most coveted timepieces in the world. Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your journey, these are the 10 best modern Rolex watches you should know.

Rolex GMT-Master II Pepsi 126710BLRO

Price: $11,000 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 40mm; Lug-to-Lug: 48mm; Thickness: 12mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Rolex GMT-Master II, with its iconic red and blue "Pepsi" bezel, is one of the most recognizable watches in the world. Originally designed in conjunction with TWA for pilots navigating multiple time zones, the GMT-Master became the quintessential travel watch. The 126710BLRO pairs the classic red and blue bicolored bezel with a stainless steel case and Jubilee bracelet (or oyster bracelet if you really want it). This creates the perfect blend of vintage charm and modern functionality. Powered by the Caliber 3285 automatic movement, it boasts a 70-hour power reserve and the ability to track three time zones simultaneously.

Rolex Submariner 126610LN and 124060LN

Price: $9,200-$10,400 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 41mm; Lug-to-Lug: 48mm; Thickness: 12.3mm; Water Resistance: 300m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Rolex Submariner is known for being one of the first modern dive watches. First introduced in 1953, it has set the standard for the diver. But, the Submariner is much more than that! The Submariner has been a cultural icon since its earliest days. It even graced the wrist of James Bond in both the Ian Fleming novels and early films. The 126610LN 124060LN are the modern (date and no date) iterations of this legendary dive watch, featuring a 41mm stainless steel case, black Cerachrom bezel, and the Caliber 3235 automatic movement. Water-resistant to 300 meters, it's incredibly robust while maintaining its timeless aesthetic.

Rolex Datejust 126334-0028

Price: $10,800 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 41mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47.5mm; Thickness: 12mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

A quintessential everyday luxury watch, the Rolex Datejust remains one of the brand's most versatile offerings. It has also been one of the Crown’s most enduring watches, having been in production continuously since it was first released 1945. Plus, the Datejust was the first Rolex I ever owned, and I still have it to this day. The Ref. 126334-0028 is one of my current favorites. It features a 41mm stainless steel case, fluted white gold bezel, and a striking green sunray dial. Powered by the Caliber 3235 movement with a 70-hour power reserve, the combination of classic design and deep heritage makes this model a staple in any collection.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Celebration Dial 126000-0009

Price: $6,200 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 36mm; Lug-to-Lug: 44mm; Thickness: 11.8mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Oyster Perpetual can be thought of as Rolex’s entry level, most accessible collection. Of course, $5,500-plus watches are hardly “entry level” to most collectors, but you get my point. But there is a lot to like about the OP collection, including some bold and playful color options. And the most playful twist comes on the Celebration Dial. The 126000-0009 features a 36mm stainless steel case and a vibrant dial with multicolored bubbles set against a turquoise background. It's a refreshing departure from the brand's more traditional designs, appealing to those seeking something bold and unique. Indeed, it is a celebration in honor of the OP itself, and all of the lacquered dial colors introduced in 2020.

Rolex Explorer II 226570

Price: $9,750 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 42mm; Lug-to-Lug: 50mm; Thickness: 12.5mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Rolex Explorer II is built for adventure. I mean it’s even in the name… The current iteration of the Explorer II, the Ref. 226570 is a rugged tool watch designed for extreme conditions. Its 42mm stainless steel case houses a highly legible dial (in either white or black) with an orange 24-hour hand, perfect for tracking day and night in any environment. The fixed bezel and robust Caliber 3285 automatic movement make it one of Rolex's most practical watches, offering a 70-hour power reserve and dual time-zone functionality.

Rolex Day-Date 36 128238-0045

Price: $39,000 USD; Case Material: Yellow Gold; Diameter: 36mm; Lug-to-Lug: 43.4mm; Thickness: 12mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

The Rolex Day-Date has been the ultimate symbol of success since its introduction in 1956. It has even come to be nicknamed “The President” as it has graced the wrists of multiple U.S. Presidents, including Dwight Eisenhower and Lyndon B. Johnson. The Ref. 128238-0045 is one of my favorites currently in production. It features a 36mm yellow gold case, fluted bezel, and a champagne dial with stick indices. With both the day displayed at 12 o’clock and the date 3 o'clock, and powered by the Caliber 3255 movement, it's a timeless statement piece that exudes luxury and prestige.

Rolex Daytona 126500

Price: $15,500 USD; Case Material: Stainless Steel; Diameter: 40mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47.8mm; Thickness: 11.9mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Few watches in the Rolex lineup carry as much history and allure as the Daytona. Originally introduced in 1963 as a racing chronograph, the Daytona was designed for racing drivers, with its tachymeter scale allowing for the measurement of average speeds. But the Daytona is not just for motorsport enthusiasts. Over the decades, the Daytona has become one of the most sought-after and iconic watches in the world. The modern 126500 refines this legacy with a 40mm stainless steel case, black Cerachrom bezel, and white dial with black subdials, often referred to as the "Panda" dial. Powered by the in-house Caliber 4131 automatic movement, it features a column wheel chronograph, vertical clutch, and 72-hour power reserve. The Daytona's association with motorsports and its timeless design make it a must-have for any collector.

Rolex Daytona Le Mans 126528LN

Price: $55,000 USD; Case Material: Yellow Gold; Diameter: 40mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47.8mm; Thickness: 11.9mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Before Rolex’s chronograph was named the Daytona, the Crown was allegedly toying with the idea of naming it the Le Mans, referencing the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race. But, hoping to appeal to the growing American watch collector community, the model came to be known as the Daytona, after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida. In 2023, however, to celebrate the 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex finally named a watch after race, releasing the white gold Rolex Daytona Le Mans. Featuring a white gold case, a reverse panda dial and a lot of vintage callbacks to Newman-style Daytonas, this watch was a massive hit. Too bad Rolex decided to discontinue it after just a year. However, in 2024 they released a new version of the Le Mans in yellow gold, the Ref. 126528LN features a yellow gold case. Besides the yellow gold case, this watch is the same to the previous white gold model. However, this watch is an “off-catalog” watch, meaning you will have to have a great relationship with your Rolex retailer to have a chance at one.

Rolex Perpetual 1908 52506-0003

Price: $31,200 USD; Case Material: Platinum; Diameter: 39mm; Lug-to-Lug: 47mm; Thickness: 9.5mm; Water Resistance: 50m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Rolex has never been thought of as a dress watch brand, at least not in the same way as Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. But with the Perpetual 1908, Rolex has an understated yet modern reinterpretation of the classic dress watch. The 52506-0003, released in 2024, features a 39mm platinum case, white lacquer dial, and small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock. What sets this model apart is its exquisite guilloché pattern on the dial, adding an extra layer of refinement. Further, you can see the beautifully finished Caliber 7140 movement through the display caseback. Not something you see often from Rolex.

Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Titanium 226627-0001

Price: $14,800 USD; Case Material: RLX Titanium; Diameter: 42mm; Lug-to-Lug: 50.3mm; Thickness: 11.6mm; Water Resistance: 100m; Movement: Swiss Automatic; Crystal: Sapphire.

Let me be honest here: I prefer the gold variations of Yacht-Master to the new titanium model. However, the Yacht-Master 42 RLX Titanium Ref. 226627-0001 represents a significant departure for Rolex, being one of the brand's first watches made from titanium. It showcases that, while Rolex can sometimes be slow to make big changes, they are willing to do so. Therefore, I like the watch as much for what is signifies as for what it is. The watch looks sporty on a full titanium bracelet, but I would love to see Rolex offer it also on a rubber Oysterflex bracelet. Either way, it’s a great watch and I expect to see more of Rolex’s professional models to appear in titanium in the near future.