The Rolex Sky-Dweller has a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $16,800 (street price) and up for the Oystersteel watch (Ref. 336934). But because of the high demand and limited supply for this watch, most new Rolex Sky-Dweller watches cost a lot more than the retail price, often over $22,000. On the secondary market, depending on the rarity and condition, a new Sky-Dweller will go for well over $65,000 for the full precious metal versions. Here, we’ll go over a couple of different factors, such as what the Sky-Dweller actually sells for and why the collection is so sought-after.
Key Takeaways:
- MSRP: The official retail price for a Rolex Sky-Dweller ranges from $16,800 (Oystersteel) to $59,500 (18k Everose Gold).
- Market Price: Expect to pay 40-80%+ above MSRP on the secondary market, which is the realistic price for most buyers.
- Most In-Demand: The Oystersteel model (Ref. 336934) with a blue or mint green dial commands the highest premium over its retail price.
- Key Price Factors: The price is determined by the case material (Steel, Rolesor, or Gold), dial color, bracelet type (Oyster vs. Jubilee vs Oysterflex), and model year.
- Most Expensive: Full precious metal models (Everose and Yellow Gold) and aftermarket “iced-out” versions are the most expensive, often exceeding $60,000.
Discover why the Rolex Sky-Dweller costs what it does in this article! This is another interesting guide as to why the Sky-Dweller is priced beyond the Rolex catalog and instead has a different tale to be told in terms of supply, demand, and complicated engineering. Onto the numbers. Here’s what actually shapes the price of Rolex’s most complicated watch.
Why Is the Rolex Sky-Dweller So Expensive?
Rolex Sky-Dweller models are not just a status symbol. They’re a testament to state-of-the-art watchmaking. The history of the Rolex Sky-Dweller starts in 2012. The Sky-Dweller was Rolex’s first entirely new complication in many years and is, to this day, Rolex’s most complicated watch. As such, the price is a reflection of its advanced features, the precious materials that Rolex uses, and the very high worldwide demand which greatly exceeds Rolex’s constrained supply.
It’s this rarity, in addition to the distinguishing characteristics, that creates a gap between the sticker price and the real-world value. The price of this watch is driven by three primary factors:
- The “Saros” Annual Calendar: A mechanism that automatically differentiates between 30 and 31 day months. It only needs to be set once per year, on March 1st.
- The Dual Time Zone (GMT): An intuitive, off-center 24 hour ring displays a second time zone, making it a practical traveler’s watch.
- The Ring Command Bezel: This fluted bezel isn’t just for show. It’s a functional component that interacts with the movement, allowing the wearer to select and set the date, local time, and reference time with the crown.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Price: MSRP vs. Secondary Market
Two very different prices can be displayed when you search “how much is a Rolex Sky-Dweller”.
- MSRP: Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price. The official, non-negotiable, and AD (Authorized Dealer)-only price established by Rolex. (Currently, this is usually out of reach for consumers without multi-year waitlists (2-5+ years) and established prior purchase history due to demand exceeding supply.)
- Secondary Market Price (Market Value): This is the actual price you can reasonably expect to pay to purchase the watch today from a reputable pre-owned dealer such as Bob’s Watches. This price is determined by supply and demand and is significantly higher than MSRP.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Retail vs. Market Price Comparison
| Model Reference (New) | Material | MSRP (Retail Price) | Estimated Secondary Market Price |
| Ref. 336934 | Oystersteel | $16,800 | $22,000 – $30,000+ |
| Ref. 336933 | Yellow Rolesor | $21,850 | $21,000 – $25,000 |
| Ref. 336935 | 18k Everose Gold | $58,300 | $58,000 – $70,000+ |
| Ref. 336938 | 18k Yellow Gold | $55,000 | $55,000 – $60,000+ |
How Much is Each Rolex Sky-Dweller Model? (A Price Guide)
A couple of factors play a role in the price of the Sky-Dweller. There’s the material, the dial color, and, more or less, the bracelet. Here’s a quick breakdown of the prices for the most popular models.
Oystersteel (White Rolesor) Sky-Dweller Price (Refs. 326934 & 336934)
This is the most sought-after and “entry-level” Sky-Dweller. While often called “stainless steel,” it’s technically White Rolesor, as the 42mm case is steel, but the functional fluted bezel is 18k white gold. In 2021, Rolex added the popular Jubilee bracelet as an option, and in 2023, the model was updated to the Rolex 336934 with the new Calibre 9002 movement and new dials.
- MSRP: $16,600 (on Oyster) / $16,800 (on Jubilee)
- Market Price: $22,000 – $30,000+
- Dial Options: Black, White, Blue, Mint Green (new 2023)
- Note: The Blue and Mint Green dials are the most desirable and trade at the very top of the price range, often 80-100% over retail.
Yellow Rolesor (Two-Tone) Sky-Dweller Price (Refs. 326933 & 336933)
The two-tone Yellow Rolesor features Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold on the bezel, crown and center links of the bracelet. The dial on both the Rolex 326933 and the ref. 336933 offers a traditional Rolex two-tone look and is the most readily available version of the Sky-Dweller on the secondary market, often selling with the smallest markup above retail.
- MSRP: $21,850 (on Oyster)/ $22,450 (on Jubilee)
- Market Price: $21,000 – $25,000
- Dial Options: White, Black, Champagne
18k Everose Gold Sky-Dweller Price (Refs. 326935 & 336935)
Made of Rolex’s own 18k pink gold alloy, Everose Gold, the Everose Gold Sky-Dweller is a high-end luxury item. It was the first model in the collection to be introduced on the sporty Oysterflex bracelet (Rolex 326135, now updated to Rolex 336135). It is also available on a matching solid Everose Gold Oyster bracelet.
- MSRP: $48,900 (Oysterflex) / $58,300 (Oyster Bracelet) / $59,500 (Jubilee Bracelet)
- Market Price: $58,000 – $70,000+
- Dial Options: Chocolate, Slate, White, Blue-Green (new 2023)
18k Yellow Gold Sky-Dweller Price (Refs. 326938 & 336938)
The new 18k yellow gold Sky-Dweller is the unequivocally audacious choice. Magnificent and supremely authoritative, The Rolex 326938 and the Rolex 336938 both exudes power and presence. It is available on either a full-gold Oyster bracelet or Oysterflex bracelet, like the other gold models.
- MSRP: $47,100 (Oysterflex) / $55,000 (Oyster Bracelet) / $56,200 (Jubilee Bracelet)
- Market Price: $55,000 – $60,000+
- Dial Options: Black, Champagne, White, Bright Green
Discontinued & Aftermarket Sky-Dweller Prices
Rolex had a robust full 18k white gold Sky-Dweller (Ref. 326939) at one time, but it is a pre-owned only watch now. The current white gold model is only available on the Oysterflex bracelet via ref. 336239. You may also encounter “Iced-Out” Sky-Dwellers that have had aftermarket diamonds set. Rolex did not factory set these and they can be anywhere from $50,000 to over $150,000, depending on the quality of the diamonds.
What is the Resale Value of a Rolex Sky-Dweller?
The Rolex Sky-Dweller has one of the strongest resale values in the luxury watch market. In fact, unlike a car, a Sky-Dweller (especially the White Rolesor version) is one of the few luxury items that you can often sell for much more than you originally paid retail.
The precious metal models, while still retaining a very high percentage of their value even after some depreciation from MSRP (if you could have actually bought them at retail), are a different animal entirely. They often hold their value or slightly exceed original MSRP on the secondary market.
Navigating Rolex Sky-Dweller Prices
When it comes to cool features, groundbreaking mechanical innovation, and sky-high demand, buying a Rolex Sky-Dweller is an easy choice. The retail price is what sets the parameters of value, but on the used market, when it comes to the rarest and most desirable timepieces, it’s the true market value that you should be looking at. The Rolex Sky-Dweller for sale is no limited edition pure hype watch, it’s as good as it gets when it comes to feature set and overall innovation and is one of the few new watches that can sit in the same conversation as Rolex’s legacy offerings in terms of value.
At Bob’s Watches, we are the most trusted and transparent place to buy and sell original pre-owned Rolex watches, and while our collection is stacked with state-of-the-art offerings, we can’t get over classics like the vintage Rolex collections. Whatever your next step with your Rolex (buying or selling Rolex watches), we can give you an accurate read on its market value.
