Fratello’s five below-retail Rolex examples were published on October 13, 2023. They cover the GMT-Master II 126715CHNR, Explorer 36 124273, Yacht-Master 42 226659, Day-Date 40 228239 and Submariner Date 126619LB. The prices are approximate euro examples from that article—not evidence that the same watches still sell below retail in 2026.
What Fratello’s list does—and does not—show
Jorg Weppelink’s Fratello article, published October 13, 2023, compared then-current official euro retail prices with approximate starting prices in the secondary market. Its figures are useful as a dated snapshot of five references, not as current quotes, a market-wide discount index or proof of completed sales. The article described market prices as examples; they should be read as approximate asking-price levels, not verified transactions.
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Rolex, Pre-Loved Oyster Perpetual Date Automatic Watch 34 | Buy on Amazon |
“Under retail” is meaningful only when the exact reference and configuration, country and currency, date, condition, and price type match. A pre-owned asking price is not directly comparable to a new watch’s local official retail price, and one listing does not establish what a watch ultimately sells for.
The five Rolex references in Fratello’s October 2023 list
| Watch and reference | Fratello’s October 2023 euro comparison | What to know about the model |
|---|---|---|
| GMT-Master II 126715CHNR (“Root Beer”) | Retail: €39,600; pre-owned examples from roughly €35,000; new gray-market examples around €37,500. Approximate figures reported by Fratello in October 2023. | Everose gold with a black-and-brown Cerachrom bezel; introduced in 2018, according to Fratello. Rolex’s technical brochure identifies ref. 126715CHNR and calibre 3285. |
| Explorer 36 124273 | Retail: €11,550; pre-owned examples from roughly €9,500; new examples just over €10,000. Approximate figures reported by Fratello in October 2023. | Steel-and-yellow-gold Rolesor, 36 mm case and black 3-6-9 dial; Fratello identifies calibre 3230. |
| Yacht-Master 42 226659 | Retail: €29,950; pre-owned examples from roughly €26,000; new examples around €28,500. Approximate figures reported by Fratello in October 2023. | White-gold case and Oysterflex bracelet, as described by Fratello. |
| Day-Date 40 228239 | Retail: €40,800; blue-dial pre-owned examples from roughly €37,000; new examples from roughly €39,000. Approximate figures reported by Fratello in October 2023. | White gold on the President bracelet; Fratello discusses green- and blue-dial versions. |
| Submariner Date 126619LB | Retail: €41,200; pre-owned examples from roughly €31,000; new gray-market examples around €35,000. Approximate figures reported by Fratello in October 2023. | White gold with a black dial and blue bezel; Fratello says this reference replaced the 116619 in 2020. |
Every retail and market amount in the table is the article’s October 2023 euro example, not a current price. Fratello’s list focused on precious-metal or steel-and-gold watches. Its author also said current stainless-steel Rolex sports models were not available at or below retail at that time; that was an October 2023 market assessment, not a rule for every model or today’s market.
#1 Best Overall
- Imported
- Pre-Loved Condition: Very Good; Scratches on case and band.
- Case Size/Width: 34mm, Watch Height: 12mm, Band Width: 19mm, Wrist circumference: 7.75"
- Band material: Stainless Steel
- Case material: Stainless Steel
How to check whether one is below retail now
- Match the reference and configuration. Confirm the reference on the watch and paperwork, then check dial, bezel, bracelet and metal. Similar-looking variants can have different official prices and market values.
- Check local official retail. Use Rolex’s U.S. all-models catalog or the relevant local Rolex catalog for the current model and currency. The U.S. GMT-Master II collection, for example, displays Everose models at $53,100 and $57,500, but the cited catalog evidence does not establish that either configuration is the exact 126715CHNR in Fratello’s list. Those U.S. prices cannot be directly compared with the article’s 2023 euro figures.
- Compare like with like. Separate new or unworn offers from pre-owned watches, and compare asking prices with other asking prices. Treat completed-sale prices as a different measure; the cited Fratello article does not provide a set of independently verified completed transactions.
- Use current, reference-specific offers. Record the quote date, currency, condition, seller, and whether the price includes the same accessories and documentation. A low starting listing is not proof that a watch is available in that condition at that price.
- Assess the transaction, not just the number. Check seller reputation, return terms, warranty coverage, service history, provenance and what is included. The cited sources do not verify any particular seller or listing.
Why “cheapest under retail” is not the same as best choice
The five watches differ in precious-metal content, size and style. A lower price relative to retail does not make one the best value for every buyer: the right comparison is between the exact watch you want and its current, like-for-like alternatives. Nor does a bigger apparent gap prove a better deal when condition, seller protections or the validity of the asking price differ.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
