How many Rolex Models are There? Complete Guide
You could say that Rolex’s collection of timepieces is divided into three categories: Oyster Perpetual or non-Oyster, model line, and lastly, the specific iterations (references). Rolex has a number of different models, usually made for specific purposes and with distinct designs and styles. Depending on the model, it may include just a few references, or it may include tens or even hundreds of references.
In Rolex’s own words:
“Rolex offers a wide assortment of Oyster Perpetual and Cellini watches to suit any wrist. Discover the broad selection of Rolex watches to find a perfect combination of style and functionality.”
The different Rolex models
Over the decades, Rolex has released a large number of different models. Many of them have been discontinued and are no longer in production. At the same time, Rolex occasionally introduces new models to the collection of its timepieces. Every year, Rolex presents new watches, but they very rarely introduce completely new models. Usually, they just introduce new iterations of watches inside an already existing model line.
The last time that Rolex introduced a completely new model line was back in 2012 when they released the Sky-Dweller for the first time. Upon its launch, it was the first completely new Rolex model in 20 years (unless you count the Yacht-Master II which was released in 2007, but Rolex doesn’t, so we won’t either).
Rolex is a very traditional company that focuses on evolution rather than revolution. With this in mind, Rolex has come to a point where they are very content with the model lines that they have. And it is only if they see a real need for a new model that serves a new purpose or solves a new problem that they will go through the effort of developing one. Otherwise, they will just focus on improving and revising the existing references in its current model lines, which is what their main focus has been in the last couple of decades.
Furthermore, Rolex occasionally discontinues complete model lines, but in recent years, it has become rare. Instead, Rolex usually just discontinues old references and presents new versions inside this collection to replace them. But it is very unusual for Rolex to kill a model altogether. This is because, over the years, Rolex has worked to perfect its models. As such, they are very satisfied with what they have and will put their main focus on perfecting and managing what they have.
How many Rolex models are there?
How many individual Rolex models the brand has depends on how you count. The Lady-Datejust, for example, is, at its core, a Datejust, so it can be debated whether or not this should be classified as an individual model. But Rolex considers it as its own unique model so that is what we will do as well.
If we look at what Rolex considers individual, unique models, Rolex has a total of 14 models. Of those, 8 are defined as “professional models” and 6 of those are classified as “classic watches. If we consider each and every iteration and reference as a model, Rolex has created thousands of models over the years. Most of which are of course discontinued today.
Rolex models:
The model lines that Rolex has are:
Classic watches
- Cellini
- Sky-Dweller
- Lady-Datejust
- Oyster Perpetual
- Datejust
- Day-Date
Professional watches
- Air-King
- GMT-Master II
- Yacht-Master
- Submariner
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Sea-Dweller
- Explorer
- Milgauss
Spin-off Rolex models
For some of its models, Rolex has created “spin-offs” of different models. Rolex doesn’t view them as separate models, but they are still, in some way, unique models.
Some people, for example, would say that the DeepSea Sea-Dweller is its own distinct model, but if you ask Rolex, it’s part of the Sea-Dweller family.
The same goes for the Yacht-Master II, which, many would say, is unique enough to be its own model. But instead, it’s part of the Yacht-Master family.
If we go further back in Rolex’s history, the brand made a ton of spin-off lines based on already existing models. In fact, for many of these models, the only thing that Rolex changed was the print on the dial.
During and after World War II, Rolex produced several “Air” models. But what stands out about these watches is the fact that the only thing that differentiates some of these watches is the respective printing on the dial, such as “Air-King, “Air-Lion”, “Air-Giant”, and so on. These types of spin-offs are difficult to classify as individual models because they aren’t.
Over the years, Rolex has created many such models where it can be debated whether something should be classified as its own distinct model or not. Technically, the Datejust Pearlmaster or Day-Date Pearlmasters shouldn’t be classified as their own models either since they’re essentially just facelifted and redesigned Datejusts and Day-Dates.
Rolex reference numbers and models
When people refer to a particular watch, they simply refer to it as a “model” and that is completely fine. But Rolex’s watches are actually part of models, and are themselves “references.” Each version of a Rolex watch has a reference number, known as the model number. This model number identifies the exact configuration for that timepiece.
Rolex has a system that makes it possible to see, only by looking at the reference number of a watch, which family, or model line it is part of.
Discontinued Rolex models
Over the years, Rolex has created a large number of different models. Many fall under the category of being spin-offs, but in regards to actual distinct, own model lines, there are relatively few “core” models and models that Rolex has taken out of production. Or, at least those that can be debated about whether they are in fact their own models.
The Cellini is one such example. Over the years, Rolex has had many Cellini iterations and variations with different names. However, since they have all been a part of the Cellini range, they are regarded as one core model.
Discontinued models
- Cellini Almond
- Cellini Alpa
- Cellini Bicolor
- Cellini Biseau
- Cellini Quartz
- Cellini Cellinium
- Cellini Cellissima
- Cellini Cestello
- Cellini Classic
- Cellini Classic Pocket
- Cellini Clous de Paris
- Cellini Coin
- Cellini Danaos
- Cellini Date
- Cellini Dual Time
- Cellini First
- Cellini First II
- Cellini Gourmette
- Cellini Jubilee
- Cellini Karat
- Cellini Ligne Douce
- Cellini Midas
- Cellini Moonphase
- Cellini Orchid
- Cellini Parenthesis
- Cellini Prince
- Cellini Time
- Cellini Zephyr
- Oyster-Date
- Oyster Date
- Datejust II
- Day-Date II
- Oysterquartz Date
- Oysterquartz Day-Date
