The Top 10 Cheapest Rolex Watches You Can Buy (Psst: They're Still Wildly Expensive)

Owning a Rolex is synonymous with wealth, luxury, and class. So who wouldn’t want a piece of that on their wrist, right? To start, anyone who is vehemently against spending thousands of dollars on something that you wear to show that ... you can spend thousands of dollars. Or, someone who is scared of being robbed (rightfully so).  

On the other hand, if you want a classic timepiece that can be passed down from generation to generation, a Rolex may be the way to go. These watches generally retain their value, so investing in one means you’re likely to get something back. And, as we discovered, there are more affordable Rolex options out there.

What is it about this watch brand that makes it cost as much as (and sometimes more than) a car?

For one, the prestige factor is able to keep prices up. Since the brand was founded in 1905, its tactic has changed from offering functional timepieces built to withstand various conditions, to offering an aspirational status symbol. That said, Rolex is known for using extremely high quality materials, and holds its timepieces to the utmost standards.

Rolex uses a type of stainless steel that’s known for being incredibly strong and resistant. The company also builds all of its watch movements in-house, which is different from most other brands. Rolex has its own standards for precision and uses what’s called a ​​superlative chronometer benchmark, which offers timekeeping of -2/+2 seconds a day. 

When you combine status along with the brand’s reputation for high quality, the price begins to make a bit more sense.

So, still have your heart set on one? If you're wondering what the cheapest Rolex is, read on. Buyer beware: They still all cost thousands of dollars. 

$3,795 and up

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Though the Rolex Air-King has been updated over the years, the 5500 model dates back to 1957 and has a simple design that's considered classic. It offers a stainless steel Oyster case, smooth bezel, and time-only dial. It uses an older automatic 1520 movement, but, like newer models, is waterproof to 330 feet.

Key features:

• Stainless steel Oyster case
• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Smooth bezel
  

$4,995 and up

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We found one of the cheapest women's Rolexes, too. The DateJust offers classic Rolex features but sized for a smaller wrist. This timepiece comes in a number of variations, and the diamond-encrusted versions will, of course, cost much more. All versions are available in Rolex's special corrosion-resistant Oystersteel or 18k gold, and are waterproof to a depth of 330 feet. The watch offers the self-winding calibre 2236.

Key features:

• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Automatic 2236 movement
• Sized for smaller wrist

$5,495 and up

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This Rolex was in production from 1988 to the early 2000s and is still popular on the used watch market. It's known for its combination of  Oystersteel with white gold on the bezel and case. This combination contributes to the timepiece's relative affordability. It also uses an older and well-known Rolex 3135 calibre with automatic movement, and has around a 50-hour power reserve.

Key features:

• Automatic 3135 movement
• 50-hour power reserve
• White gold bezel

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$5,500 and up

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The Oyster Perpetual line is known as the “entry-level” Rolex watch. It was first released in the 1920s — we're assuming for much less than its current price. It’s the cheapest and most basic style that the brand offers, but hey, it’s still a Rolex in name. The Oyster Perpetual was the first mass-produced water-resistant (to 330 feet) watch. This style is self-winding and features the brand’s signature waterproof Oyster case. It's powered by Calibre 3230 and has a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

Key features:

• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Automatic 3230 movement
• 70-hour power reserve

Related: The Best American-Made Watches

$7,000 and up

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Created in 1945, the Datejust Oyster was the "first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to feature a window displaying the date," according to Rolex. This model is waterproof to 330 feet and Datejust models have either calibre 2236 (Datejust 31) for 55 hours of power or calibre 3235 that extends it to 70.

Key features:

• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Automatic 2236 or 3235 movement
• Up to 70-hour power reserve

$7,250 and up

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The dial of the fairly simple Explorer sports the classic Rolex look, while the 3, 6, and 9 numerals are slightly luminescent with a long-lasting blue glow. Like other Rolex watches, it features the extremely durable "Oystersteel" frame. It is waterproof to 330 feet and has a power reserve of about 70 hours.

Key features: 

• Oystersteel frame
• Waterproof to 330 feet
• 70-hour power reserve

$7,450

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For a few hundred more you can get the Air-King, which has been in production since the 1950s. This cheaper Rolex watch has the features of the original Rolex Oyster, plus a minutes scale for navigational time readings. It has a distinctive black dial with a combination of large 3, 6, and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minute scale for navigational time readings. Its movement is 3230 calibre, it has a 70-hour power reserve, and it's waterproof to 330 feet.

Key features: 

• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Automatic 3230 movement
• 70-hour power reserve

$8,995 and up

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This classic watch offers unique Rolex features including the well-known black dial face and 3, 6 and 9 numerals with a luminescent material that give them a blue glow. Made of Rolex’s proprietary Oystersteel, the M1212 also is waterproof to 330 feet, and is powered by the 3230 Caliber with a 70-hour power reserve. 

Key features: 

• Waterproof to 330 feet
• Automatic 3230 movement
• 70-hour power reserve

$9,100 and up

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It's starting to get up there in price, but the original Submariner is still relatively affordable for a Rolex at under $10,000. The style was launched in 1953 and made waves as the first diver's wristwatch that was waterproof to a depth of 330 feet, setting the standard for other diving watches. Today, the newest model is waterproof to a depth of 1,000 feet. Other features: a triple waterproof system ensures the watch stays totally water tight, and with an embedded Chromalight capsule on the zero marker, the bezel is useable in dark underwater environments.

Key features: 

• Waterproof to 1,000 feet
• Triple waterproof system
• Embedded Chromalight capsule

$12,995 and up

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The M124060 is one of the more affordable models of the Submariner. And though you may never wear it deep below the ocean, it can certainly handle it. The watch has a rotatable bezel with an edge that's designed to be grippy under water, even with gloves on. It also has 60-minute graduations that allow a diver to accurately monitor diving times. The 3230 calibre offers a 70-hour power reserve, and the watch is amazingly waterproof to 1,000 feet. 

Key features: 

• Rotatable bezel
• Automatic 3230 movement
• Waterproof to 1,000 feet

Though the cheapest Rolex is still admittedly in the thousands of dollars, you don't always have to pay five figures. From paying just under $4,000 for the Rolex Air-King 5500 to triple that for the Submariner M124060, Rolexes come in a surprisingly large price range — and even larger array of styles.