Discontinued Rolex Watches in 2026: The Five References Buyers Wanted Most

Discontinued Rolex watches drove the majority of pre-owned Rolex sales tracked by Bob's Watches in 2026, with five specific references leading buyer demand. The findings, based on completed sales data from January 1 through August 11, 2026, reveal that the most wanted discontinued Rolex models are not rare grails—they are accessible, mid-priced references that answer a straightforward desire for a genuine Rolex timepiece.

The Five Most In-Demand Discontinued References

According to Carol Altieri, COO of Bob's Watches, the ranking measures buyer demand through completed, shipped sales rather than opinion or speculation. The methodology excludes cancelled orders, unshipped orders, and references still in production, using the exact reference number level for precision.

1. Rolex Lady-Datejust 69173

The 26mm two-tone Rolesor watch with a fluted 18k yellow gold bezel led all discontinued references on buyer demand, moving up from second position in 2025. It sold at a median of $6,595, making it one of the most affordable genuine Rolex watches on the pre-owned market. The reference, produced from the late 1980s through approximately 1999, runs the self-winding caliber 2135 and features a sapphire crystal.

2. Rolex Submariner 16613

The two-tone "Bluesy" Submariner recorded the sharpest demand increase in the ranking, climbing from sixth position in 2025 to second in 2026. Median sold price reached $12,570, with blue dial examples commanding roughly a $1,000 premium over black. Produced from 1988 until 2009, the 16613 features an aluminum bezel insert and caliber 3135, making it the last two-tone Submariner with slim proportions before the broader Super Case era.

3. Rolex Datejust 16233

The 36mm two-tone Rolesor Datejust held first position in 2025 and sits third in 2026, displaced by references that grew rather than by any decline of its own. Median sold price was $8,070. This reference represents the default two-tone model for the Datejust collection, selling at a steady rate because it answers a very common question: what does a classic two-tone Rolex cost.

4. Rolex Submariner 16610

The last five-digit Submariner Date climbed from fifth position in 2025 to fourth in 2026. Median sold price was $11,870. The 16610, produced from 1988 until 2010, is the final reference built before the Super Case, and has become the reference buyers name when they want a Submariner that looks like a Submariner. Its successor is a heavier and broader watch, and a meaningful group of buyers actively prefers the older shape.

5. Rolex Datejust 16013

The oldest and least expensive reference in the ranking, the 16013 features an acrylic crystal instead of sapphire and runs the earlier caliber 3035. Produced from 1977 until 1988, it sold at a median of $6,870. Roughly one in eight examples sold on a leather strap rather than a bracelet, pointing to buyers treating it as a dress watch rather than a daily wearer.

Why These References Sell

Four of the five leading references are Rolesor (stainless steel combined with 18k gold), and every one sells below the price of its replacement. The pattern across all five is that the most wanted discontinued Rolex is not a grail—it is a mid four-figure Datejust or Lady-Datejust bought by someone who wanted a Rolex rather than a position.

Paul Altieri, Founder and CEO of Bob's Watches, noted: "The caliber 3135 is one of the reasons these references keep selling. It ran for roughly thirty years, parts are available, and any good watchmaker knows it. When someone buys a 16610 or a 16233, they're buying a movement we can service for decades, and that matters more to a watch collector than a ceramic bezel does."

The material story is equally consistent: every reference uses an aluminum bezel insert or a fluted gold bezel rather than Cerachrom. Aluminum inserts can fade, and faded inserts are part of what buyers value about the five-digit generation.

Demand vs. Price: An Important Distinction

Ranking discontinued Rolex references by demand and ranking them by sale price produce genuinely different lists. The demand ranking is dominated by accessible two-tone Datejusts; the price ranking is dominated by Submariners, GMT-Masters, and the Daytona 116500LN. Only two references appear on both lists, illustrating that popularity and value are separate measurements.

"The watches at the top of this list are not the rare ones," Altieri observed. "They're nice pieces that are more obtainable. A two-tone Datejust at seven thousand dollars is an affordable first Rolex, and that has been true for years. Demand volume tells you what is popular. It does not tell you what will appreciate."

Frequently Asked Questions

Are discontinued Rolex watches worth more than current models?

Not necessarily. According to Bob's Watches data, references still in production carried a median pre-owned sold price roughly $5,600 above the median for discontinued references. Every reference in the 2026 demand ranking sold for less than its successor.

Which discontinued Rolex is the best value buy?

The Lady-Datejust 69173 at $6,595 median and the Datejust 16013 at $6,870 represent the most affordable genuine Rolex watches in the ranking. Both offer authentic two-tone gold and steel construction at accessible price points.

Do discontinued Rolex watches appreciate?

Some discontinued references have held value well over multi-year periods, and a smaller group has appreciated. However, neither outcome is guaranteed, and demand volume is not a forecast of appreciation. The references at the top of this ranking are popular because they are the most efficient answer to a straightforward want.

According to Bob's Watches, based on completed, shipped sales from January 1 through August 11, 2026. The ranking measures buyer demand through actual transactions rather than listing activity or speculation. Prices cited are pre-owned sold prices and are not blended with authorized dealer retail figures.