What is the Best Entry-Level Rolex? (2024)

If you’re looking to dip your toes into the world of Rolex ownership, understanding entry-level models is a good place to begin. Starter Rolex watches will give you a sense of what the brand has to offer in terms of fit, feel, and finish without having to spend too much at first. So, what is the best entry-level Rolex watch and how much should you expect to pay for it? There are several basic Rolex watches you can consider, including Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Explorer, Air-King, and more — all priced within the $3,500 to $8,500 range.

However, as is often the case when discussing Rolex prices, it’s important to compare retail and secondary markets. The best entry-level Rolex watch will differ depending on if you buy it brand new from an authorized retailer or pre-owned and grey market dealers.

Buying Guide: Breaking Down Rolex Prices – Retail vs. Actual Market for Top Models

The retail route will be restricted to current production models, availability, and the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP). On the other hand, the grey market way will offer a wider assortment of Rolex models to choose from and prices will depend on market value, which can be more or less than MSRP.

So let’s get into the details and help you find that perfect entry-level Rolex watch.

How Much Does An Entry-Level Rolex Cost At Retail?

If you’re lucky enough to be able to get your hands on a Rolex watch from an authorized dealer today (very few are), then these following collections offer some solid starter models.

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Oyster Perpetual

The Oyster Perpetual is Rolex’s official entry-level watch, pairing two of the company’s most important design features: a water-resistant “Oyster” case and automatic “Perpetual” movement. These stainless steel watches have straightforward time-only dials, and three-link Oyster bracelets, and are available in a range of sizes and dial colors. It has everything you want in a Rolex watch without any unnecessary bells and whistles.

The least expensive Oyster Perpetual is $5,550 while the most expensive is $6,400.

• Oyster Perpetual 28 ref. 276200: $5,550 MSRP
• Oyster Perpetual 31 ref. 277200: $5,650 MSRP
• Oyster Perpetual 34 ref. 124200: $5,800 MSRP
• Oyster Perpetual 36 ref. 126000: $6,100 MSRP
• Oyster Perpetual 41 ref. 124300: $6,400 MSRP

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Some of the most popular dial colors are red, yellow, turquoise, and green. However, if this is your first Rolex, a neutral dial like silver or black may be the more practical choice. Although the OP is a classic entry-level Rolex model, it can be surprisingly difficult to obtain at retail–harder than a Datejust. But fortunately, secondhand prices should still be under $10,000 for black, silver, green and blue dials. Even though Rolex prices have retreated from their 2021-2022 peak, the hottest colorful Oyster Perpetual dials–turquoise, red, yellow and Celebration–can still easily go for 2x retail or more.

Datejust

Perhaps the most recognizable Rolex watch ever made, the Datejust has been a mainstay of the catalog since the mid-1940s. While there are plenty of variations within the Datejust catalog, including various sizes, bezel styles, dial colors, and bracelet types, what they all have in common is the date window at 3 o’clock topped by a bubble-like magnification lens known as the Cyclops.

Entry-level Rolex Datejust watches from the current collection are full stainless steel models fitted with smooth steel bezels. It’s worth noting that Datejust watches with Oyster bracelets are slightly less expensive than ones with Jubilee bracelets.

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Rolex Datejust Current Starting Prices

Further reading: What is the Price of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust?

Explorer

The Explorer is Rolex’s most basic sports watch model, introduced in 1953 to celebrate the first ascent of Mount Everest. The most recent iteration of the watch remains remarkably similar to its vintage predecessors, and it’s proved to be a winning formula.

The Explorer ref. 124270 features a compact 36mm steel case, a three-link Oyster bracelet, and its iconic black dial punctuated with oversized numerals at 3, 6, and 9. The dial, which serves to only tell the time and nothing else, is super legible thanks to generous coatings of luminous material on the hour markers and hands.

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With an MSRP of $7,250, the Explorer 124270 is Rolex’s most affordable entry-level sports watch.

Air-King

Though the Air-King is one of Rolex’s oldest watch collections, first released in the 1940s to honor World War II fighter pilots, modern versions (introduced in 2016) are vastly different than older references. Unlike previous versions, which had small cases and understated dials, the current production Air-King ref. 126900 sports a 40mm steel case that houses a black dial with plenty of punchy details. For instance, there’s a mix of markers–hour indications at 3, 6, and 9, and minute indications at the remaining spots. Plus, the green Rolex logo and seconds hand, and bright yellow coronet on the dial are surprising pops of color.

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A slightly more expensive Rolex sports watch than the Explorer, the MSRP of the Air-King ref. 126900 is $7,450.

How Much is an Entry-Level Rolex on the Secondary Market?

If you decide to browse the secondary market for entry-level Rolex watches, then you’ll be treated to a wider assortment of timepieces. While almost all current-production Rolex watches are valued more than MRSP, older discontinued models (that aren’t quite vintage yet) can be great buys.

You can spend less than $5,000 to buy an entry-level Rolex watch on the secondary market and if your budget can stretch to about $8,000, then finding your starter will be even easier.

That said, price isn’t the only consideration when deciding on a starter Rolex; you’ll want one in good working order too. Buying a cheap fixer-upper Rolex will almost always end up costing you more money (and time) in the long run to get it up to par–and you don’t need that type of frustration if this is your first Rolex.

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What’s more, consider these details:

• Newer style crystals made of synthetic sapphire are scratch-resistant while older crystals fashioned from acrylic are not
• Older radioluminescence material, such as tritium, will eventually stop glowing in the dark while newer photoluminescence, such as Luminova, SuperLuminova, and Chromalight, will continue to glow as long as they’re exposed to a light source first
• Newer Rolex watches will have a minimum water resistance of 100 meters while older references are often half of that

Therefore, the best pre-owned entry-level Rolex watch would be one that offers a mix of affordability, newer specs, and good condition. Here are some recommendations.

Rolex Air-King Precision 14000

Before it underwent a makeover in 2016, the Air-King had been a beloved entry-level Rolex watch for decades. With its restrained 34mm case, simple time-only dials, and no-fuss Oyster bracelet, the Air-King was a popular Rolex for those who preferred minimalist designs. The Air-King Precisions also ran on non-chronometer-rated automatic movements, which is why their dials will have a “Precision” inscription rather than the now-familiar “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” text.

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The Air-King Precision ref. 14000 was manufactured from 1989 to 2000 and while it has tritium lume, it does come furnished with a sapphire crystal. Prices for the Rolex Air-King 14000 start at $3,500.

Rolex Date 115200

Although the company no longer produces this model, the Rolex Date was once a mainstay of the catalog, positioned as the smaller and more affordable cousin of the Rolex Datejust. The Rolex Date features a 34mm case, a date window on the dial at 3 o’clock, and a Cyclops date magnification affixed to the crystal above the dial. This is a solid choice for an entry-level Rolex with a date function.

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Since the Rolex Date 115200 was introduced in the 2000s, it has all the modern updates you’d want –quickset date, solid link bracelet, improved clasp, sapphire crystal, photoluminescent lume, and 100m water resistance. Rolex discontinued the Date series in 2021 and prices for the Date 34 ref. 115200 starts at $5,000.

Rolex Datejust 16200

If it’s a classic timepiece you’re after as your first Rolex, then you can’t go wrong with a Datejust ref. 16200, introduced in 1988 and produced through 2004. With this particular reference, you get the traditional 36mm case in steel topped with a smooth steel bezel. There’s also the steel bracelet, available in both Oyster and Jubilee styles.

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While this discontinued Datejust reference has an older style of bracelet with hollow center links, it still benefits from the quickset date and sapphire crystal. Additionally, if you can find an example made from the late-1990s onwards, then it’ll also be furnished with Luminova/SuperLuminova luminescence. Prices for a Rolex Datejust 16200 start at $5,500.

Learn more: What is the Price of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust?

Rolex Explorer 114270

Produced from 2001 to 2010, the Explorer ref. 114270 has all the signature design details that make the Explorer watch so recognizable. Specifically, there’s the 36mm steel case, steel Oyster bracelet, and a black dial with Mercedes-style hands that point to the iconic 3/6/9 numerals.

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Furthermore, as a reference made in the 2000s, the Explorer ref. 114270 includes modern features such as sapphire crystal, solid end-links on the bracelet, and SuperLuminova-coated hands and markers. Prices for the Rolex Explorer 114270–and the model before it, 14270–start around $6,000.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 114300

If you’re looking for an entry-level Rolex watch that’s bigger than the 34mm and 36mm options outlined so far, then the discontinued Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300 with a 39mm case may be right up your alley. Rolex introduced the Oyster Perpetual 114300 in 2015 and this was the first (and only) time the model was offered in a 39mm case, which is ideal for many wrist sizes. Of course, as a modern Rolex, the watch is fitted with sapphire crystal and Chromalight luminescence.

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While Rolex made the OP 39 exclusively in steel and with an Oyster bracelet, there are some dial color options including black, white, blue, and dark rhodium. The reference was discontinued in 2020, and prices for the Oyster Perpetual 114300 start at $7,500.

Rolex Explorer II 16570

So far we’ve only covered time and time/date models. However, if you want an entry-level Rolex with a complication, then consider the Rolex Explorer II 16570, which is a GMT watch with a 40mm steel case, 24-hour engraved steel bezel, and a black or white dial with an arrow-tipped GMT hand.

Back to Basics: What is a GMT Watch?

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Rolex introduced the Explorer II ref. 16570 in 1989 and manufactured it for over 20 years. Due to this long production run, there are several variations to consider within the same reference number. For instance, earlier examples will have tritium lume while later ones will have Luminova/SuperLuminova. Moreover, black dial versions are generally less expensive than white “Polar” dial examples. Regardless of the variation, however, all Explorer II ref. 16570 watches have sapphire crystals. Rolex discontinued the 16570 in 2011 and replaced it with the larger 42mm Explorer II. Prices for Rolex Explorer II 16570 start at $7,500.

Honorable Mention: Quartz Rolex Watches

It may come as a surprise to some, but yes, Rolex quartz watches do exist. Although the brand no longer makes them, the secondary market does have its fair share of Rolex quartz watches for sale including sportier Oysterquartz models and dressy Cellini watches. Quartz-powered models are some of the most affordable Rolexes you can buy, which makes them an interesting option in the entry-level realm.

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Don’t Miss: Rolex Quartz Watches: The Complete Guide

Finding Your Entry-Level Rolex

The first thing you need to do to find the best entry-level Rolex is to set a budget, which should be within the $3,500 to $8,000 range. From there, see what your best options are from both retail and secondary markets, and compare the pros and cons of the available Rolex watches. Always keep in mind that the best watch is the one that you’ll enjoy wearing the most–buy what you like and don’t be swayed by trends, hype, or so-called “investment potential.”

Whether you decide on an Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, Air-King, Explorer, or something else, there are plenty of entry-level Rolex watches out there to choose from.

Other Rolex Buying Guides from Grey Market Magazine:
The Most Popular Rolex WatchesHow to Spot a Fake Rolex Watch
The Cheapest (But Best) Rolex Watches
Rolex Serial Numbers: The Ultimate Guide
How Many Links Does a Rolex Come With?

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