About Rolex Watches
One brand wears the crown as king of the luxury watch world. From sport models such as the legendary Submariner, GMT-Master II, Explorer, and Daytona to dressier Datejust and Day-Date (Presidential) models, there is a Rolex for every purpose. WatchBox is the global leader in Guaranteed Pre-Owned Rolex watches for sale. Are you ready to purchase a pre-owned Rolex watch? WatchBox is a leading global buyer, seller and trader of Rolex watches. If you wish to buy used Rolex watches online, we offer a wide selection of authentic WatchBox-Certified Rolex watches backed by a 15-month warranty and white glove service.
Recent Watch Releases and Discontinuations from Rolex
A few favorite releases from Rolex over recent years include: the Batman in 2013 and Pepsi in 2016 with new Cerachrom bezels and the Rolex Daytona with a ceramic bezel in 2016. Colorful dials also made an appearance in Rolex’s new line of Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches in the latter half of 2020. These dials are inspired by the Stella lacquered dials seen in Day-Dates from the 1970s. Color choices include blue, green, orange, oxblood, peach, pink, purple, red, salmon, and turquoise. In 2020, Rolex discontinued a few fan-favorites like the Rolex Hulk Reference 116610LV and Rolex Smurf Reference 116619. For collectors and enthusiasts pursuing these models, WatchBox’s ever-changing inventory of pre-owned Rolex watches may feature these in our inventory.
Rolex Watches History
Rolex’s history is linked to 24-year-old Hans Wilsdorf, who in 1905 founded a unique company in London that specialized in timepiece distribution. His dream was to create a watch you could wear on your wrist. At the time (the early 1900s), wristwatches weren’t extremely precise, but Wilsdorf had the vision that these timepieces would not only offer a luxury accessory to users, but also be a reliable method for telling time. By 1919, the Company had grown and expanded so much, it moved to Geneva, Switzerland. In 1926, the first waterproof wristwatch was released by Rolex and was given the name “Oyster”. The year 1945 saw the first self-winding wrist chronometer to indicate the date in a window on the dial, the Rolex Datejust. In the 1950s, Rolex began designing tool watches that were intended for professional activities like deep-sea diving, aviation, mountain climbing, and more. This led to the release of the Explorer in 1953, Submariner in 1953, Milgauss in 1956, Deep-Sea Special in 1960, Cosmograph Daytona in 1963, and Sea-Dweller in 1967. The growth of this luxury watch brand continued, eventually creating the household, luxury brand name that is so well-known today.
Guide to Rolex Watch Materials & Terminology
Proprietary Rolex Materials
Learn more about Rolex’s unique nomenclature for materials in their catalogue or read our guide to Rolex Materials.
Oystersteel - Resistant to corrosion and harder than steel, Oystersteel was first introduced on the Sea Dweller in 1985. Now, this material can be found throughout Rolex’s model range.
Everose Gold - In 2005 Everose was Rolex’s answer to the booming pink gold craze. This alloy blends a small amount of platinum, as well as copper to improve the material’s shine.
Cerachrom - Cerachrom is Rolex’s ceramic material, which allows for the flawless execution of bi-color bezels and reduces the potential for color fading over time.
Chromalight - Introduced on the Sea-Dweller in 2008, Chromalight has a crisp blue glow that lasts up to 8 hours when it’s fully charged from UV exposure.
Rolesor - Rolesor is simply the brand’s terminology for their two-tone watches, no matter the combination.
Rolex Bracelets
Oyster - Introduced in the late 1930s, this robust metal bracelet features flat three-piece links. It’s seen on Rolex’s Professional watches as well as the Datejust, Day-Date, and Sky-Dweller.
Jubilee - Featuring five-piece links, this metal bracelet is comfortable and supple. It was designed for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945.
President - This exclusive bracelet has semi-circular three-piece links. Created in 1956, it was first seen for the launch of the prestigious Oyster Perpetual Day-Date. Now, President bracelets are also seen on certain versions of Ladies Datejusts.
Pearlmaster - Sophisticated and elegant, the Pearlmaster metal bracelet has rounded five-piece links. It was created in 1992 for Pearlmaster models.
Oysterflex Rubber - This innovative bracelet features a superelastic metal blade. It provides the reliability of a metal bracelet, while preserving the comfort of a rubber strap.
Rolex Clasps
Oysterclasp - This clasp is the standard clasp of Oyster bracelets, seen on Rolex’s less sporty watches.
Oysterlock - Developed for Rolex’s Professional watches, this clasp has a locking mechanism that is crucial for a sports watch.
Crownclasp - Concealed with a small crown-shaped lever, the Crownclasp is Rolex’s most discreet clasp and is seen on Jubilee and President bracelets.
Rolex Watch Models
GMT-Master II
40mm Case Size One of the cornerstones of the Rolex lineup, the GMT-Master II is a durable and accurate pilots watch. Explore popular GMTs like the Pepsi, Coke, Batman, and Root Beer.
Submariner
40, 41mm mm Case Sizes As the first wristwatch waterproof to a depth of 100 meters, the Submariner set the standard for reliable divers watches. Browse iconic Submariner models like the Hulk ref. 11610 and Kermit ref. 126610.
Daytona
40mm Case Size The Daytona was designed for professional racing and is the only chronograph that Rolex produces—learn more about this unparalleled sports watch. Check out the ref. 116500 page for specific collection.
Datejust
26, 28, 31, 34, 36, and 41mm Case Sizes Launched in 1945 as the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch, the Datejust is one of Rolex’s most emblematic and wearable watches. Don't forget to check out reference's such as 16233, 126234, 126300, and 1630
Day-Date
36 and 40mm Case Sizes This Rolex model was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer to offer an instantaneous calendar with the day spelled out in full on the dial. Shop our pre-owned assortment of “Rolex President” watches.
Oyster Perpetual
24, 26, 29, 31, 34, 36, 39 and 41mm Case Sizes Created in 1926, the Oyster Perpetual was the first waterproof wristwatch. The “Oyster” namesake comes from the difficult-to-open shell of an oyster, representing the timepiece’s tightly sealed case.
Sea-Dweller
40mm Case Size As one of Rolex’s most technically advanced dive watches, the Sea-Dweller Deepsea has traveled to the deepest known part of the ocean, the Mariana Trench.
Explorer
36, 39, 40, 42mm Case Size The Explorer is durable, water resistant, and highly legible. Introduced in 1953, this timepiece was developed as Rolex’s ultimate field and expedition watch. Don't forget to check out references like the 16570, 216570, 226570
Air-King
40mm Case Size As Rolexs tribute to the aviation exploration of the 1900s, the Air-King is known for its distinctive black dial and oversized numberals on the current model.
Yacht-Master
37, 40, 42mm Case Sizes Today’s Yacht-Masters are some of the most elegant sports watches from Rolex. Durable and refined, these timepieces feature a unique bidirectional bezel.
Milgauss
40mm Case Size Designed to withstand magnetic fields of up to 1,000 gauss, the Milgauss was created for those in the scientific community that would be exposed to high magnetic fields.
Oysterquartz
36mm Case Size Released in 1977, the Oysterquartz remains Rolex’s first and only quartz watch. This collection was produced for 25 years and discontinued in 2001.
What Makes Rolex Watches So Desirable?
Why Buy Pre-Owned Rolex Watches?
Why a Rolex from WatchBox is Trustworthy?
Rolex Pricing Guide
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