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Rolex Watches: Complete Price Guide & Buyer's Guide

Rolex is the world's most recognized luxury watch brand, producing approximately 1 million watches per year. Pre-owned Rolex prices on eBay range from $5,000 for entry-level models like the Air King to over $75,000 for precious metal Daytonas and rare vintage references. This guide covers every major Rolex collection with real market prices, authentication essentials, and how to search eBay effectively.

Search All Rolex on eBayPre-Owned Under $10K

Rolex Prices by Model — What They Actually Sell For

Real eBay transaction prices for current-production and recent-generation Rolex references. Prices reflect pre-owned condition with box and/or papers where typical.

ModelReference RangeeBay Price RangeNotes
Submariner Date116610/126610$10,000 – $18,000Most popular sport model
Submariner No-Date114060/124060$9,000 – $15,000Purist favorite, surging demand
Datejust 41126300/126334$8,000 – $14,000Best-selling Rolex overall
Datejust 36126200/126234$7,000 – $11,000Classic size, strong resale
Explorer I124270/214270$7,000 – $11,000Perfect daily wearer at 36/39mm
Explorer II226570/216570$9,000 – $13,000GMT function, 42mm tool watch
GMT-Master II "Batman"126710BLNR$14,000 – $19,000Blue/black bezel, iconic
GMT-Master II "Pepsi"126710BLRO$18,000 – $24,000Most in-demand GMT
Day-Date ("President")228235/228238$28,000 – $42,000Gold only, status symbol
Daytona116500/126500$25,000 – $40,000Years-long wait list at retail
Oyster Perpetual 36126000$5,500 – $8,000Entry-level, colorful dials
Air King126900$8,000 – $12,000Pilot-inspired, 40mm
Sea-Dweller126600$11,000 – $15,000Deeper diving Sub variant
Yacht-Master126622/226659$12,000 – $25,000Wide range, platinum to gold
CelliniVarious$6,000 – $15,000Dress collection, undervalued
Sky-Dweller326934/326935$18,000 – $35,000Annual calendar, complex

Prices updated February 2026. Actual values depend on condition, papers, box, bracelet, and service history.

The Rolex Nickname Guide: Batman, Pepsi, Hulk & More

Rolex collectors use nicknames to identify popular dial and bezel combinations. Knowing the right nickname makes searching eBay dramatically more effective — and saves you from overpaying for the wrong reference.

Batman22.2K/mo

GMT-Master II 126710BLNR

Blue/black Cerachrom bezel

Pepsi22.2K/mo

GMT-Master II 126710BLRO

Red/blue Cerachrom bezel

Hulk12.1K/mo

Submariner 116610LV

Green dial + green bezel (discontinued 2020)

Kermit3.6K/mo

Submariner 126610LV / 16610LV

Green bezel, black dial

Coke2.9K/mo

GMT-Master II 16710

Red/black bezel insert (vintage)

Root Beer4.4K/mo

GMT-Master II 126711CHNR

Brown/black two-tone

Smurf3.6K/mo

Submariner 116619LB

White gold, blue dial + bezel

Starbucks

Submariner 126610LV

Sometimes confused with Kermit — same green bezel, black dial in current production

Wimbledon

Datejust (various refs)

Slate/green Roman numeral dial

Explore Rolex Collections

Submariner Price Guide

Complete pricing and reference guide for the iconic dive watch.

Datejust Price Guide

Datejust 36 and 41 — the best-selling Rolex collection.

Explorer Price Guide

Explorer I and II pricing, references, and buying tips.

Sea-Dweller Price Guide

Deep-dive into the Sea-Dweller and Deepsea lineup.

Oyster Perpetual Price Guide

Rolex's entry-level collection with vibrant dial options.

Cellini Price Guide

Rolex's overlooked dress watch — strong value play.

Hulk (116610LV) Guide

The discontinued green-on-green Submariner collectors love.

Buying Rolex on eBay

How to search, filter, and buy Rolex safely on eBay.

How to Authenticate a Rolex: Quick Reference

Every pre-owned Rolex purchase on eBay should include a basic authentication check. Here are the six most important things to verify before you buy.

  1. 1Micro-etched Rolex crown on the crystal at 6 o’clock (post-2002 models)
  2. 2Smooth, sweeping second hand — not a tick-tick motion
  3. 3Engraved rehaut (inner bezel ring) repeating ROLEX ROLEX ROLEX with serial at 6 o’clock
  4. 4Correct serial and model numbers engraved between the lugs or on the rehaut
  5. 5Proper weight — genuine Rolex watches are noticeably heavy due to 904L Oystersteel
  6. 6Cyclops lens over the date magnifies 2.5× — fakes often only magnify 1.5×
Full Authentication GuideSerial Number Lookup Tool

Search Rolex Watches on AuctionMapper

Real-time eBay listings with smart filters for category, price, and location. Find the exact Rolex reference you want.

All RolexSubmarinerDatejustGMT-MasterUnder $10K

Related Guides

Rolex Nicknames: Batman, Pepsi, Hulk & MoreRolex vs Omega ComparisonHow to Authenticate a RolexSerial Number Lookup ToolWatches That Hold ValueBest Watches Under $5,000Tudor Black Bay GuideOmega Watches GuideIWC Watches Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Rolex cost?
Rolex prices vary widely depending on the model, material, and condition. On eBay, pre-owned Rolex watches range from approximately $5,000–$6,000 for vintage or entry-level models like the Air King and Oyster Perpetual to $75,000 or more for precious-metal Daytonas and rare vintage references. The most popular model, the Submariner Date in stainless steel, typically sells for $10,000–$18,000 pre-owned.
Why are Rolex watches so expensive?
Rolex watches are expensive because of their in-house manufacturing: Rolex produces its own movements, cases, dials, and even its proprietary Oystersteel alloy (904L stainless steel). Every watch undergoes extensive hand-finishing, quality control, and testing — including the Superlative Chronometer certification (±2 seconds/day). Combined with decades of brand heritage, controlled supply, and high demand, the result is both a functional instrument and a store of value.
How to tell if a Rolex is real
Key authentication points for a Rolex include: (1) the micro-etched crown on the crystal at 6 o'clock (post-2002 models), (2) smooth, sweeping second-hand movement rather than ticking, (3) a properly engraved rehaut (inner bezel ring) with 'ROLEX' repeated, (4) correct serial and model numbers between the lugs (older models) or on the rehaut (newer models), (5) weight — genuine Rolex watches are noticeably heavier than fakes, and (6) the Cyclops magnification over the date should enlarge the date 2.5×. For a thorough guide, see our full authentication walkthrough.
What is the cheapest Rolex?
The most affordable current-production Rolex is the Oyster Perpetual 36mm (ref. 126000) at a retail price of approximately $5,800. On the pre-owned market, the Air King and older Oyster Perpetual references can be found for $5,000–$8,000. Vintage models like the Date (ref. 15200) and older Air Kings sometimes trade below $5,000, though buyers should factor in service costs.
Why does Rolex use IIII instead of IV?
Rolex uses 'IIII' instead of 'IV' on its Roman numeral dials (such as the Datejust and Day-Date) for visual symmetry. With 'IIII' at the 4 o'clock position, it visually balances the 'VIII' at 8 o'clock, creating a more harmonious dial layout. This convention dates back centuries to traditional European clock faces and is followed by nearly all watchmakers, not just Rolex.
Who owns Rolex?
Rolex is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a private Swiss charitable trust established in 1945 by Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf. As a non-profit foundation, Rolex has no shareholders and does not pay dividends — profits are reinvested into the company or donated to charitable causes. This unique ownership structure means Rolex is not publicly traded and faces no pressure to cut costs for quarterly earnings.

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