When you see as many pre-owned Rolex watches for sale as we do and have studied them for as long as we have, you start to recognize patterns. For instance, it’s hardly a shocker when Rolex introduces a new material option within a collection, or when the brand releases a fresh batch of references to accommodate a new generation of calibers. However, what is most surprising often lies in what is not currently available. Many of Rolex’s core watch models have been around for decades and during that time, they have been produced in numerous different variations. With that in mind, even after all these years, there are still a number of Rolex watches that still surprisingly don’t exist (yet).
We originally published a version of this article back in 2019 and at that time, we were surprised that the Rolex Submariner Date had not yet received the Caliber 3235 movement. Well, that certainly changed the following year when Rolex rolled out a whole new generation of Submariner watches with 41mm cases (despite the fact that Baselworld 2020 never happened). However, even though we now have two years of new Rolex releases behind us (including a handful of surprises like the new Oyster Perpetual models with colorful dials), all of the hypothetical watches that were originally mentioned in this article still don’t exist yet. So, just for fun, here are four Rolex watches that we’re surprised still don’t exist.
Rolex Submariner with Oysterflex Bracelet
Rolex Submariner Key Facts:
– First introduced in 1953
– The first watch to achieve 100-meters of water resistance
– Luminous hands and hour markers
– 60-minute rotating timing bezel
– Rolex Oyster Case w/ screw-down crown and case-back
– The original watch of James Bond
– Versions issued to branches of the Military
– Offered in both Date and No-Date formats
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Submariner.
Continuing on the Submariner discussion, we would venture to say that a blatant missing element from the collection is the option of a rubber strap – or in Rolex-speak, the Oysterflex bracelet (which is, in fact, a metal blade coated in black elastomer). Those of you familiar with Rolex watches will no doubt know that that Submariner has only ever been fitted with the ubiquitous three-link metal Oyster bracelet over its six-decade history and that the new rubber Oysterflex bracelet made its debut in 2015 on a Yacht-Master model.
But what is more “dive watch style” than a rubber strap? Look to other brands such as Omega, Audemars Piguet, Breitling, and Panerai, and you’ll quickly spot plenty of rubber strap choices within their diving watch lineups – because it just makes sense. However, (at least for now) the Oysterflex bracelet is only available within the Yacht-Master, Daytona, and Sky-Dweller collections and it is exclusive to the solid gold models. So perhaps a gold Submariner with an Oysterflex bracelet is in the near future?
Rolex Daytona In Two-Tone Everose Gold
Rolex Daytona Key Facts:
– First introduced in 1963
– Designed for automotive racing
– 12-hour chronograph
– External tachymeter bezel
– Rolex Oyster Case w/ screw-down crown and case-back
– Named after the Daytona International Speedway
– Holds the record for the most expensive Rolex watch of all time
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Daytona.
The possibility of a two-tone Everose Daytona was first brought up way back in our roundup of Baselworld 2019 predictions. A Rolex Daytona in Everose Rolesor is a watch that seems like it already exists, yet here we are more than two years later and it is still notably absent from Rolex’s catalog. Therefore, it’s worth mentioning again since the marriage of stainless steel and Everose pink gold is the only material option missing from Rolex’s signature chronograph collection.
Over the course of its existence, the Rolex Daytona has been made in stainless steel, all three shades of gold, two-tone yellow gold and steel, and platinum, not to mention the choice of leather straps, Oysterflex bracelets, and ceramic bezels. And lest we forget the rainbow, leopard, and tiger versions! We have now been saying it for a few years now, but let us ask again: where in the world is the Everose Rolesor Rolex Daytona?
Rolex GMT-Master II with Black and Green Bezel
Rolex GMT-Master II Key Facts:
– First introduced in 1982 (original GMT-Master launched in 1954)
– Designed for pilots and frequent travelers
– Additional 24-hour GMT hand
– Bidirectional GMT bezel with a 24-hour scale
– Rolex Oyster Case w/ screw-down crown and case-back
– Independently adjustable hour hands
– First Rolex watch to feature a Cerachrom bezel insert
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex GMT-Master II.
Of all the colors in the rainbow, green is the shade most associated with Rolex. It’s the go-to hue for the company’s logo, packaging, hang-tags, boutique design, and corporate marketing materials. Plus, it’s the color often used for milestone models such as the anniversary Submariner with the green bezel, the anniversary GMT-Master II with the green dial, and the anniversary Milgauss with the green sapphire crystal.
However, what is clearly missing is a bi-color green and black Cerachrom bezel on a GMT-Master II watch. We know that Rolex can make a green ceramic bezel as evidenced by the “Hulk” Submariner ref. 116610LV and the “Cermit” Submariner ref. 126610LV. Additionally, black ceramic bezels are standard throughout much of the current Rolex sports watch catalog. So why not merge both colors on one awesome pilot’s watch? The GMT-Master II “Green Lantern” perhaps, to follow in the footsteps of the Rolex Hulk and Rolex Batman.
Rolex Cellini Perpetual Calendar
Rolex Cellini Key Facts:
– First introduced in 1968.
– Named after the Italian goldsmith and sculptor Benvenuto Cellini
– Rolex’s dedicated line of dress watches.
– Only crafted from either solid gold or platinum.
– Can be powered by either quartz or mechanical movements.
– Historically has featured non-traditional case shapes.
– Does not use Rolex’s Waterproof Oyster Case.
Click here for our Ultimate Buying Guide on the Rolex Cellini.
It’s been said many times before, but the Cellini collection is clearly Rolex’s underdog. The collection of non-Oyster Rolex watches just hasn’t captured the watch-loving crowd’s attention the same way the brand’s Oyster Perpetual rage of watches, despite its beautiful and recent redesign. In 2016, Rolex re-launched the Cellini collection as a tight collection of elegant timepieces, dropping the somewhat nonconventional and often quartz-powered offerings it previously contained and replaced them with classically-styled mechanical dress watches that are more in line with the likes of what Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and A. Lange & Sohne have to offer.
The new Cellini collection originally offered Time, Date, and Dual Time models and in 2017, Rolex added a Moonphase version. The moonphase complication is not one that we have seen from Rolex since the 1950s, so it was an exciting development and it would be a great way to kick off a future series of more complex mechanical dress watches. Personally, we’d love to see Rolex flex some mechanical mastery with a Cellini Perpetual Calendar watch – the company already has the Sky-Dweller annual calendar model, so why not go one step further with a quantième perpétuel?
What Rolex models do you think are missing and would love to see made? Leave us your thoughts in the comment section below.
