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Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →The original top 10 Rolex list is a reader-interest snapshot from 2021, not a current or universal ranking. Fratello Watches based it on clicks and reading behavior across its Rolex coverage from July 2020 through June 2021. The Submariner 41mm ranked first, followed by the green-bezel Submariner 126610LV, the Daytona, Explorer 36mm, Datejust, GMT-Master II “Pepsi,” Explorer II 226570, Submariner 5513, Oyster Perpetual 126000, and Submariner 14060.
This is a historical reader-interest ranking, not a universal list of the best Rolex watches. Fratello Watches compiled it from clicks and reading behavior across its Rolex coverage during the 12 months from July 2020 through June 2021. The results were published on June 21, 2021, when Rolex had just introduced several important updates. That timing matters: the number-one position reflects the attention generated by the 2020 Submariner refresh as much as it reflects enduring enthusiast preference.
The original list also mixes complete model families, specific references, current-at-the-time watches, and discontinued vintage models. Read it as a snapshot of what Fratello’s audience wanted to learn about, not as a ranking of worldwide sales, auction results, waiting lists, investment potential, or objective watchmaking quality. You can review the original Fratello ranking for its methodology and contemporary commentary.
The original top 10 Rolex ranking at a glance
| Rank | Watch | What defined its place in the list | Status in the 2021 ranking |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Submariner 41mm | The major 2020 redesign and new 41mm case | New/current model at the time |
| 2 | Submariner 126610LV | Green-bezel Submariner Date and successor to the Hulk | New/current model at the time |
| 3 | Cosmograph Daytona | Rolex’s flagship chronograph and the appeal of its steel configuration | Current family |
| 4 | Explorer 36mm | The return of the compact Explorer, including new steel and two-tone versions | New/current model at the time |
| 5 | Datejust | Rolex’s classic everyday date watch | Current family |
| 6 | GMT-Master II “Pepsi” | Practical dual-time function and the red-and-blue bezel | Current family |
| 7 | Explorer II 226570 | A 42mm expedition-oriented update to the Explorer II | New/current model at the time |
| 8 | Submariner 5513 | A long-running vintage Submariner reference with strong collector interest | Discontinued vintage reference |
| 9 | Oyster Perpetual 126000 | The colorful, time-only Oyster Perpetual 36 | Current-at-the-time reference |
| 10 | Submariner 14060 | A discontinued Submariner valued by enthusiasts for its older-generation character | Discontinued reference |
Three entries are Submariners, and two more are specific references within other families. That is not a flaw in the source ranking; it is evidence that the list measures article-level attention rather than attempting to give every Rolex collection one place.
#1 Best Overall
- Round watch featuring corrugated unidirectional bezel, luminous hands/markers, and magnified date window at 3 o'clock
- 40 mm, Length: 210mm, 23k gold-plated stainless steel case with mineral dial window. Movement Caliber: NH35A
- Japanese automatic movement with analog display
- Gold & Stainless steel tone bracelet with foldover clasp with safety closure
- Water resistant to 200 m (660 ft): In general, suitable for professional marine activity and serious surface water sports, but not scuba diving.
1. Rolex Submariner 41mm
The 41mm Submariner took first place because it was the headline Rolex sports-watch update of 2020. Compared with the preceding 40mm ceramic generation, the new model received a slightly larger case and revised lug proportions. Those changes were modest on paper but significant to enthusiasts, because the Submariner’s case shape and wrist presence are central to its identity.
Rolex places the Submariner in its Professional watches, a group designed around particular fields of activity. In practical terms, it is the archetypal modern Rolex dive watch: a robust Oyster-cased design with a rotating dive-time bezel and a highly recognizable silhouette. The important point for interpreting this ranking is that readers were responding to a newly revised icon. First place does not establish that the 41mm Submariner is the best Rolex for every wrist or the most popular Rolex worldwide.
The 2020 update also created an unusually concentrated burst of coverage. A reader clicking on the new 41mm model in 2021 may have been interested in the redesign, the changed proportions, or the broader Submariner family rather than expressing a settled long-term buying preference.
2. Rolex Submariner 126610LV
Reference 126610LV is the 41mm Submariner Date with a green bezel. It ranked immediately behind the standard 41mm Submariner and was one of the most discussed versions of the 2020 update.
Collectors commonly describe this lineage using nicknames. The earlier green-bezel 16610LV is known as the Kermit, while the ceramic-bezel 116610LV is known as the Hulk. Reference 126610LV is generally discussed as the successor to the Hulk. These names are useful shorthand in enthusiast conversations, but they are not Rolex’s formal model names. The official identity remains Submariner Date, with the reference number specifying the particular configuration.
The green bezel gives the watch a different visual character from the black-bezel Submariner, while retaining the same fundamental dive-watch concept. Its second-place position should be understood in the context of the launch period: it combined the attention surrounding the new 41mm case with the established collector interest in green Submariners.
Do not use the 2021 article as a current price or availability guide for the 126610LV. Rolex’s catalogue, regional inventory, and authorized-retailer information are the appropriate sources for present-day status, and availability can change independently of editorial rankings.
3. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
The third-ranked watch is the Rolex Daytona, formally called the Cosmograph Daytona in Rolex’s current naming. It is Rolex’s flagship chronograph family and one of the brand’s most recognizable motorsport-associated designs.
The Daytona’s appeal is broader than any single reference. Readers may be drawn to its chronograph layout, its association with racing, its range of metals and dials, or the particularly strong attention surrounding steel versions. The original ranking discussed the perception that steel Daytonas are scarce and difficult to obtain. That is market commentary, not a verified global supply or sales dataset, so it should not be turned into a claim that the Daytona is definitively the world’s rarest or most valuable modern Rolex.
Configuration matters especially with the Daytona. Material, dial, bracelet, bezel, and reference can produce substantially different watches and market conditions. A reader researching the family should therefore identify the exact model rather than treating “Daytona” as one uniform product. Rolex’s current US collection is the better place to check present configurations and regional pricing.
4. Rolex Explorer 36mm
The 36mm Explorer occupied fourth place after Rolex introduced new 36mm steel and two-tone versions in 2021. Its appeal is easy to understand beside the larger sports models above it: the Explorer is compact, restrained, and historically tied to exploration rather than to a large, attention-seeking case.
The 36mm size is not merely a smaller fashion option. It is closely connected to the visual proportions associated with earlier Explorers and gives the watch a more discreet presence on the wrist. The familiar dial layout remains the central attraction, while the steel and two-tone choices broaden the family beyond the most traditionally utilitarian version.
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5. Rolex Datejust
The Datejust was fifth and is the list’s clearest classic everyday watch. Unlike the Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Explorer families, its defining appeal is not primarily a professional-use identity. It is the combination of an Oyster case, automatic date display, and a design that can move between formal and casual settings.
Rolex identifies the Datejust as one of its foundational models. The current family is offered in 31mm, 36mm, and 41mm variants, with extensive differences in metal, bezel, bracelet, and dial. That breadth is why the unqualified word “Datejust” can conceal several very different wearing experiences. A Datejust 31 in one configuration and a Datejust 41 in another may share the family name while differing considerably in presence and styling.
The Datejust’s fifth-place result is also a reminder that readership interest was not limited to professional sports watches. It ranked as a classic, broadly useful Rolex with a date display rather than as a substitute dive watch or travel watch.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallFor readers who want the model’s history rather than another buying list, Rolex and Wallpaper* published an authorized Rolex Datejust book, Oyster Perpetual Datejust: A Watch That Made History, written by Nicholas Foulkes and based partly on Rolex archive material. Publication and retailer availability should be checked before purchase because editions and stock can change.
6. Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi”
The sixth-ranked GMT-Master II is commonly called the “Pepsi” because of its red-and-blue 24-hour bezel. The nickname is collector vocabulary, not the formal Rolex model name. More importantly, the watch should be understood through its travel function first and its color nickname second.
The GMT-Master II has an independently adjustable local-hour hand, a separate 24-hour hand, and a bidirectional 24-hour bezel. Together, those elements allow the wearer to read local time and a reference or home time simultaneously. The bezel’s red-and-blue design makes the 24-hour scale immediately legible and gives this configuration much of its visual identity.
Not every GMT-Master II has the same bracelet, bezel, or material. The family includes different combinations, and the exact reference determines what the watch is made from and how it is configured. Therefore, “Pepsi” identifies a bezel color arrangement but does not by itself tell you the complete specification or current availability.
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Its place at number six shows the appeal of a Rolex with a clear, useful complication. Readers were not simply choosing another luxury sports watch; they were also responding to the idea of a watch designed for crossing time zones.
7. Rolex Explorer II 226570
Reference 226570 was seventh. It is the 42mm Explorer II introduced in 2021 as the successor to reference 216570. The update was comparatively restrained, which suited a model whose identity has always been more functional and expedition-oriented than overtly luxurious.
The Explorer II differs from the smaller Explorer in both purpose and scale. Its larger 42mm case, 24-hour display, and fixed 24-hour bezel support the model’s association with environments where distinguishing day from night can be useful. It is therefore not simply a larger Explorer; it is a different tool-watch concept within the Rolex Professional range.
Reference 226570 belongs specifically to the 2021 update context. It should not be used as a label for every historical Explorer II. Collectors comparing it with older Explorer II references need to identify the exact reference, production period, dial, movement, and condition rather than relying on the family name alone. Rolex’s current catalogue continues to list the Explorer II as a 42mm model, but present specifications and availability should be verified regionally.
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8. Rolex Submariner 5513
The vintage Submariner 5513 placed eighth, making it the first discontinued reference in the ranking. Its inclusion is important because it demonstrates that Fratello readers were interested in historical Rolex watches as well as new releases.
The 5513 had a long production run and is a reference with many variations across its life. Dial details, hands, bezel, case, movement, bracelet, service parts, and production period can all affect how a particular example is understood. The reference number alone does not establish rarity, originality, market value, or authenticity.
This is also why a vintage Submariner should not be evaluated using the logic applied to a new watch. Condition, provenance, service history, and originality can matter more than a generic model label. A replacement dial or bezel may make a watch more serviceable but less original to collectors; conversely, an untouched watch may require a different assessment from a serviced example. Those judgments need reference-specific evidence.
Readers who want to study the family’s development can look for the authorized Rolex Submariner book, Oyster Perpetual Submariner: The Watch That Unlocked the Deep. Verify the current edition, seller, geography, and availability before buying, since the research does not establish a current retailer listing or affiliate eligibility.
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9. Rolex Oyster Perpetual 126000
Reference 126000 is the 36mm Oyster Perpetual and ranked ninth. Its popularity during the measurement period was closely connected to the colorful Oyster Perpetual generation introduced around the same time. Compared with the more complicated or specialized watches on this list, it offered a simpler visual proposition: a time-only Rolex with a wide range of dial colors.
The Oyster Perpetual is the straightforward entry within the Oyster Perpetual family in the sense that it does not add a date display or professional complication. That simplicity is part of its appeal, not an indication that it is automatically the cheapest, easiest to obtain, or best value Rolex in every market.
Reference 126000 is a specific 36mm identification, while the current Oyster Perpetual collection includes multiple sizes and configurations. Readers should confirm the diameter and dial color when comparing examples. A color that attracted intense attention in 2021 may also have a very different availability situation later, so historical enthusiasm should not be confused with a current stock statement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.10. Rolex Submariner 14060
The discontinued Submariner 14060 completed the list at number ten. Enthusiasts often value it for the character of its older-generation design, including its aluminum bezel and comparatively slim-looking lugs. Those are collector descriptions of the watch’s appeal, not a current Rolex product specification or indication that it is objectively superior to later Submariners.
The 14060 illustrates why reference-level language matters. It is not interchangeable with the 5513 above it, even though both are vintage Submariners, and neither should be represented as a generic current Submariner. The exact production period, dial configuration, parts history, condition, and provenance all affect how an individual example should be assessed.
Some enthusiasts use phrases such as “the last real Submariner” when discussing older references. That is a personal collector characterization, not an objective conclusion. The 14060’s place in this list tells us that readers appreciated its period-specific design and historical position; it does not settle the debate between vintage and modern Submariners.
What changed after the 2021 ranking?
The original article should not be silently presented as a current 2026 Rolex top 10. Rolex’s collection has expanded and changed since the measurement period. The current US catalogue includes families such as the Land-Dweller, 1908, Sky-Dweller, Air-King, Deepsea, Sea-Dweller, Yacht-Master, and additional size and material variants of the families ranked above. The catalogue page also identifies 2026 new models, so a current buyer should consult it directly rather than assume that a 2021 reference remains in production.
Rolex’s 2025 releases included the Land-Dweller, a ceramic-dial GMT-Master II in white gold, and new Oyster Perpetual dial colors. These developments make the original list more useful as a record of enthusiast attention than as a complete guide to the modern collection. They also show why a ranking based on one year of reading behavior has a limited shelf life: a major launch can dominate attention, while a quieter established model may remain important without generating the same volume of coverage.
For current prices, specifications, and availability, use the official Rolex US catalogue and confirm the relevant regional version. A US catalogue is not automatically evidence of pricing or stock in the UK, EU, Asia, or another market.
How to use this ranking if you are choosing a Rolex
The list becomes more useful when treated as a map of different Rolex purposes rather than as a strict buying order.
- For a dive-watch identity: compare the modern Submariner 41mm and Submariner Date configurations. The 126610LV adds the green-bezel look, while the standard black-bezel versions offer a more restrained appearance.
- For a chronograph: investigate the exact Cosmograph Daytona configuration, including material, dial, bezel, and bracelet. The family name alone is not enough to compare prices or specifications.
- For a compact everyday sports watch: the Explorer 36mm is the list’s most restrained modern option.
- For a larger expedition-style watch: compare the 42mm Explorer II 226570 with the smaller Explorer. Their purposes and wrist presence are different.
- For a classic date watch: look at the Datejust in the size and configuration that suit your wrist and wardrobe.
- For travel: begin with the GMT-Master II’s independent local-hour hand and second-time-zone display, then compare the exact bezel, material, and bracelet configuration.
- For a simple time-only watch: consider the Oyster Perpetual family, including the 36mm 126000 in the historical ranking.
- For vintage collecting: approach the Submariner 5513 and 14060 as individual historical objects, not interchangeable commodities.
Vintage Rolex buyer-safety checklist
The 5513 and 14060 deserve a separate level of caution. Before making a decision, ask for evidence about:
- Exact reference and production period: confirm that the case, movement, dial, hands, bezel, and serial information are consistent with one another.
- Originality: establish which components are period-correct and which may have been replaced during service.
- Condition: inspect case geometry, engraving, dial condition, lume, bracelet stretch, bezel wear, and movement condition through a qualified specialist.
- Service history: determine when the watch was last serviced and whether parts were changed.
- Provenance: retain invoices, service papers, ownership records, and any other documentation that supports the watch’s history.
- Independent assessment: do not treat photographs, a reference number, or a seller’s nickname as authentication. A specialist inspection is more meaningful than a generic online price guide.
For owners who need a legitimate care or service pathway, Rolex directs customers toward Rolex official servicing, Official Rolex Jewelers, and Rolex affiliates. That is a more accurate recommendation than treating DIY watch-opening, polishing, or repair tools as substitutes for professional service.
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The right conclusion about the top 10
Fratello’s ranking captures a particularly interesting moment in Rolex history. The 2020 Submariner redesign, green-bezel Submariner Date, new Explorer variants, colorful Oyster Perpetuals, and updated Explorer II all generated substantial attention, while the Daytona, Datejust, GMT-Master II, 5513, and 14060 showed the enduring pull of established icons.
Its value is therefore interpretive rather than predictive. The list tells us which Rolex stories Fratello readers clicked and read most during a defined 12-month period. It does not tell us which watch is objectively best, which reference is the safest investment, which model is most available today, or which watch will suit your wrist. For those questions, start with the exact reference, current regional catalogue, intended use, condition, and—especially with vintage watches—the evidence behind the individual example.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this still the current top 10 Rolex watches?
No. It is a historical snapshot of Fratello Watches readership during July 2020 through June 2021, published on June 21, 2021. The ranking was influenced by major 2020 and 2021 Rolex releases and does not measure worldwide sales, auction results, availability, or objective quality.
Which watches in the ranking are vintage or discontinued?
The Submariner 5513 and Submariner 14060 are discontinued vintage references. The ranking also names particular references within families, such as the Submariner 126610LV, Explorer II 226570, and Oyster Perpetual 126000. Current production status, prices, and availability should be checked in the relevant regional Rolex catalogue.
What do Pepsi, Hulk, and Kermit mean in Rolex collecting?
Pepsi refers to the red-and-blue 24-hour bezel on a GMT-Master II. Hulk is the collector nickname for the green-bezel ceramic Submariner Date reference 116610LV, while Kermit generally refers to the earlier green-bezel reference 16610LV. These are enthusiast nicknames, not Rolex’s formal model names.
Does appearing on this list make a Rolex a good investment?
No. The source ranking contains no comprehensive auction, sales, or investment dataset. With vintage references such as the 5513 and 14060, value depends heavily on condition, originality, service history, provenance, and the exact configuration. A generic reference number cannot establish an investment outcome.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: The 2021 Fratello list is best read as a snapshot of enthusiast attention during a major Rolex release cycle. The Submariner 41mm led the ranking, but the presence of three Submariners, two discontinued references, and several specific variants means it is not a balanced current buyer’s guide. Use it to understand reader interest and Rolex history; use the current regional Rolex catalogue and reference-specific inspection for a purchase decision.
