Used Rolex Deals: What To Look for Today

Let’s be real: buying a new Rolex at retail can be a pain. Allocations are opaque and the pricing floor has outpaced inflation; Rolex decidedly is moving up market. But the pre-owned market—when you know what you’re looking at—is something entirely different. Right now there are a handful of Rolex references that I think represent compelling value for the money, whether you’re buying your first serious watch or adding something with character to a growing collection.

Here’s what I’m watching.

Datejust 1601: The Rolex Icon Under $5,000

Rolex Datejust ref. 1601 w/ Silver Dial. Image Source: Wind Vintage

The Datejust 1601 is one of those watches that keeps pulling me back. Produced from the 1960s into the early ‘80s, it’s a 36mm dress watch with a fluted bezel, a jubilee bracelet, and tons of dial variations. That optionality within a particular model is less common in Rolex’s modern catalog, and it’s part of what makes vintage Rolex hunting so fun.

One of my favorites is the Buckley dial with painted Roman numerals. There are other interesting dials to hunt—textured linen dials, ‘sigma’ dials with unique 6 o’clock signatures, and even tropical examples with colorful patina. That variety combined with a long production run makes the 1601 particularly fun to shop for.

Rolex Datejust 1601 with White Buckley Dial. Image Source: Bulang & Sons

The practical case for the 1601 is straightforward: you can find nice examples under $5,000. That’s not nothing, but for a genuine Rolex with decades of history and a dial you’d actually stop to stare at, it’s a reasonable number. Budget for a service if you’re buying something that hasn’t been recently serviced—maybe $800 for an overhaul depending on condition—and factor that into your offer. When all is said and done, you end up with a unique Rolex you can wear every day and know you chose the exact one you wanted.

Two-Tone Submariner 16613: Five-Digit Charm

Rolex Submariner ref. 16613 'Bluesy." Image Source: Wind Vintage

I’ve been coming around on two-tone Rolex more and more over the past few years—I wrote about the broader trend in Is Two-Tone Rolex Back in 2025?—but the five-digit generation stuff is a different conversation than the modern two-tone lineup. The 16613 has a charm that’s its own thing.

This is the Submariner Date in steel and yellow gold, produced from the late ‘80s through the mid-2000s. It came in a few configurations: a black dial and bezel, the “bluesy”—blue dial, blue bezel, and silver or gold diamond-set 'Serti' dials of either the blue or black bezel. They’re genuinely different watches in terms of character.

Rolex Submariner 16613 with Black Dial/Bezel. Image Source: Monica Jewelers

The black dial version is the more subdued of the two. You’re still wearing a two-tone Sub—nobody’s going to miss the gold—but the black grounds it. It’s wearable across more contexts than you might expect.

The bluesy is something else entirely. Blue dial, blue bezel, gold and steel case—it’s a lot, in the best way. Quirky, a little flashy, and totally specific to this era of Rolex production. If you’ve been warming up to two-tone, this might be the watch that tips you over.

'Serti Dial' Rolex Submariner 16613, also available with black bezel. Image Source: SwissWatchExpo

Both references are priced pretty close to their full-steel counterparts, often found under $10,000 depending on the example. Given how much personality these watches have—and how distinct the five-digit generation feels from what Rolex makes today—that’s a compelling spot to be.

Yacht-Master 126622: A Modern Rolex That Makes Sense

Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126622 Grey Dial. Image Source: Collectors Corner NY

I tend to focus on vintage and five-digit references in these value pieces, but I’d be leaving something on the table if I skipped the Yacht-Master 40 right now.

The 126622—current generation, steel case, platinum bezel—retails for $13,200, and you can find solid pre-owned examples at or slightly under that number. That might not sound like much of a deal until you compare it to the Submariner Date 126610LN, which retails for $11,350 but trades well above retail on the secondary market. If you’re after a modern Rolex sport watch and you want to be even a little sensible about it, the Yacht-Master is the move.

Last-Gen Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116622 Blue Dial on Everest Rubber Strap

You can also go back a generation to the 116622 and find examples around $11,500. You give up some of the current gen’s refinements, but it’s still a beautiful, versatile watch—and the platinum Cerachrom bezel looks just as good.

Part of what makes the Yacht-Master such a strong daily watch is how adaptable it is. Everest makes rubber and leather straps—tang buckle and deployant options—that fit Yacht-Master references 16622, 16623, 16628, 116621, 116622, 126621, and 126622. Throw on a leather strap and the whole personality of the watch shifts; it goes from sporty to something you’d wear anywhere. 

Final Thoughts

The pre-owned Rolex market rewards knowing what you’re looking at. The 1601 gives you options at a price point that’s genuinely accessible; the 16613 two-tone Sub offers five-digit charm for close to steel money; and the Yacht-Master 126622 is one of the few modern references where buying pre-owned actually makes financial sense. None of these are hidden secrets—the market is liquid—but all three are worth your attention.

Buy from reputable dealers, ask for service history where you can get it, and don’t rush. The right watch shows up.