Rolex Market Report Q2 2026: Price Trends and Top Selling Rolex Watches

The pre-owned Rolex watch market delivered a strong second quarter in 2026, with an average sale price of $15,273 across all transactions at Bob's Watches. The Rolex Submariner led all collections in sales from April through June, while the GMT-Master II ref. 126710 finished as the single top selling reference of the quarter. Average sale prices climbed across most major collections, led by the Day-Date 36 with a 22.4% gain. This market report covers the quarter's top sellers, the biggest price movers, and what the data suggests for buyers and sellers heading into the second half of the year.

Key Takeaways

• The pre-owned Rolex market continued to show signs of stabilization in Q2 2026, with demand remaining strongest for well-known models and references with broad collector appeal.
• Pricing trends varied by collection, with some Rolex models holding firmer than others based on condition, availability, age, and overall market demand.
• Sport models remained an important part of the market, but buyer interest was not limited to the most recognizable Rolex collections.
• Top selling Rolex watches in Q2 reflected a mix of everyday wearability, brand recognition, and long-term collector interest.
• Condition, completeness, service history, and overall presentation continued to play an important role in how individual watches performed in the pre-owned market.
• The full report includes a deeper look at model-level trends, top selling Rolex watches, pricing movement, and what the data may suggest for buyers and sellers.

Every figure in this Rolex market report comes from actual sales completed at Bob's Watches between April 1 and June 30, 2026. The findings build on our Q1 2026 Rolex market report, which highlighted the strength of neo-vintage and two-tone models. That story continued this quarter, joined by a few new names climbing the ranks.

Q2 2026 Rolex Market at a Glance

The table below ranks the ten most popular Rolex collections of the second quarter by sales at Bob's Watches, along with each collection's average sale price and its price movement from April to June. Rankings reflect completed transactions, not listings or asking prices.

The takeaway is a healthy, active market. Professional models like the Rolex Submariner and GMT-Master II drove volume, while classic dress pieces such as the Datejust 36 and Day-Date 36 gained ground in price. The Lady-Datejust remained a volume leader, with its quarterly average reflecting a shift toward steel and smaller two-tone configurations that welcome new collectors. Demand overall stayed broad, from the Rolex Date at just over $6,000 to the Daytona with an AOV at more than $33,000 on average.

The Top Selling Rolex Collections of Q2 2026

The Rolex Submariner reclaimed the top spot this quarter. Rolex's flagship dive watch placed four separate references among the quarter's best sellers, covering everything from neo-vintage two-tone models to the current 41mm ceramic generation. That kind of depth is unique to the Submariner, and it shows how many different types of collectors the model serves. The Datejust 36 and GMT-Master II rounded out the top three, with the GMT commanding a $20,320 average, one of the highest among steel sport models.

The broader pattern matches what we saw in the first quarter. Two-tone Rolesor watches and neo-vintage references from the 1990s and early 2000s continue to pull in buyers who want classic Rolex design at a friendlier price than current production. At the same time, in demand modern references keep selling quickly whenever they hit the site. The result is a market with strength at both ends, vintage charm on one side and waitlist favorites on the other.

Deep Dive: The Top Selling Rolex References of Q2 2026

Collection rankings tell one part of the story. Individual references tell the rest. These seven watches were among the most purchased references at Bob's Watches in the second quarter, and each one earned its spot for a different reason.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 126710

The Rolex 126710 was the top selling Rolex reference of the quarter, moving up from its runner-up finish in Q1, with an average sale price of $22,365. Demand for the Pepsi and Batman bezels remains far ahead of supply at authorized dealers, so the pre-owned market is where most buyers actually get one. Average sale prices for the GMT-Master II collection rose 11.6% from April to June, a sign that interest is not cooling off.

Key specs:

• 40mm Oystersteel case
• Two-tone Cerachrom 24 hour bezel (Pepsi or Batman)
• Caliber 3285 with dual time zone function
• Jubilee or Oyster bracelet

Rolex Submariner Ref. 16613

The two-tone "Rolex Bluesy" carried its Q1 momentum straight into the second quarter, selling at an average of $12,637. The mix of steel and 18k yellow gold, paired with the blue dial and bezel, gives buyers a lot of presence for the money. As a neo-vintage reference, it also offers the drilled lugs and aluminum bezel that many collectors prefer.

Key specs:

• 40mm steel and 18k yellow gold case
• Blue aluminum bezel insert
• Caliber 3135 automatic movement
• Production from the late 1980s through 2009

Rolex Submariner Ref. 16610

The Rolex 16610 is the definitive neo-vintage steel Submariner, and it was one of the quarter's most active references at an average sale price of $11,497. Prices firmed up noticeably during the quarter, rising 20.4% from April to June as collectors paid closer attention to this generation. It remains one of the most attainable ways to own a classic steel Sub with the aluminum bezel and five digit character.

Key specs:

• 40mm Oystersteel case
• Black aluminum bezel insert
• Caliber 3135 automatic movement
• Production from 1988 to 2010

Rolex Submariner Ref. 126610

The current Rolex 126610 reference held its place among the top sellers, averaging $16,264 for the quarter. The 41mm case, Cerachrom bezel, and caliber 3235 make it the benchmark modern dive watch, and steady pre-owned demand shows how well it holds its value. For buyers who want the newest Submariner without the wait, the pre-owned market remains the fastest route.

Key specs:

• 41mm Oystersteel case
• Cerachrom ceramic bezel
• Caliber 3235 with 70 hour power reserve
• In production since 2020

Rolex Datejust 36 Ref. 16233

The Rolex 16233 was a top seller in Q1 and repeated the feat this quarter at an average sale price of $8,021. The two-tone case, fluted gold bezel, and champagne dial represent the classic Datejust look that has anchored the brand for decades. It is one of the most affordable paths into a gold and steel Rolex, which keeps a steady stream of first time buyers coming to it.

Key specs:

• 36mm steel and 18k yellow gold case
• Fluted yellow gold bezel
• Caliber 3135 automatic movement
• Jubilee bracelet

Rolex Submariner Ref. 116610

The discontinued Rolex 116610 ceramic Submariner was one of the most interesting watches of the quarter. It sold in strong numbers at an average of $16,692, and its average sale price climbed 38.8% from April to June, the largest reference level gain we recorded. As the last of the 40mm Submariners, it sits in a sweet spot between the neo-vintage models and the current 41mm generation.

Key specs:

• 40mm Oystersteel case
• Cerachrom ceramic bezel
• Caliber 3135 automatic movement
• Production from 2010 to 2020

Rolex Datejust 41 Ref. 126334

The Rolex 126334 rounded out the quarter's top sellers at an average sale price of $15,150, led by continued demand for the Wimbledon dial. The 41mm case with a white gold fluted bezel gives the Datejust a more contemporary footprint, and it has become the go to configuration for buyers who find the 36mm sizing too traditional.

Key specs:

• 41mm Oystersteel case with white gold fluted bezel
• Caliber 3235 with 70 hour power reserve
• Popular in slate "Wimbledon" and blue dials
• Jubilee or Oyster bracelet

The Biggest Rolex Price Movers of Q2 2026

Sales volume shows what people are buying. Price movement shows where the market is heading. From April to June, the strongest gains in average sale price came from a mix of dress watches and understated sport models.

One note on how to read these movements. Average sale prices reflect the mix of watches sold in a given month, including condition, configuration, metal, and age. A month with more full sets or more gold pieces will lift the average on its own. These trends describe what buyers actually paid at Bob's Watches, not a formal appraisal of any single watch's value.

The pattern is still meaningful. The Rolex Day-Date 36 posted the standout climb among high volume collections, jumping from $22,750 in April to $27,845 in June. The Explorer family's rise, with both the standard model and the Rolex Explorer 36 up more than 20%, fits a broader shift toward smaller and simpler sport watches. The Milgauss continues to benefit from its discontinuation in 2023, as collectors move on models that Rolex no longer makes.

What Was the Top Selling Rolex Watch in Q2 2026?

The top selling Rolex reference at Bob's Watches in the second quarter of 2026 was the GMT-Master II ref. 126710, with an average sale price of $22,365. It climbed from second place in Q1 to take the top spot, ahead of a group of Submariner references that dominated the rest of the leaderboard.

The reasons are familiar to anyone who has tried to buy one at retail. Waitlists for the Pepsi and Batman remain long, and the pre-owned market is the only place a buyer can choose a specific bezel and bracelet combination and have it shipped the same week. Strong travel demand and the watch's dual time zone function keep it as practical as it is collectible.

Which Rolex Models Increased the Most in Price in Q2 2026?

The Day-Date 36 posted the largest increase among high volume collections, with average sale prices up 22.4% from April to June. Several other models also recorded double digit gains during the quarter:

• Explorer 36: +23.8%
• Day-Date 36: +22.4%
• Explorer: +21.3%
• Datejust 31: +12.3%
• Datejust II: +12.0%
• GMT-Master II: +11.6%
• Milgauss: +10.8%
• Datejust 36: +10.5%

As covered above, these figures reflect the mix of watches sold each month rather than pure market appreciation, though the consistency across dress and sport models points to genuine strength.

Are Pre-Owned Rolex Prices Going Up in 2026?

Based on our sales through the first half of 2026, the answer is yes for most of the catalog. The majority of high volume collections saw average sale prices rise from April to June, with the strongest gains concentrated in solid gold dress watches and smaller sport models. Steel professional models like the Submariner also moved higher, up 5.4% for the quarter, just at a steadier pace.

The second quarter also confirmed the trends we flagged in our Q1 report. Neo-vintage references keep gaining collector attention, two-tone models remain a favorite entry point, and discontinued references like the Submariner 116610 and the Milgauss are being repriced as collectors recognize their closed production runs. For sellers, that combination has created one of the better windows in recent years.

How We Built This Report

This report is based entirely on transactions completed at Bob's Watches from April 1 through June 30, 2026. A few points on the methodology:

• All prices reflect actual sold prices, not listings or asking prices.
• Averages reflect the mix of watches sold during the period, including condition, configuration, metal, and age.
• References with very low sales during the quarter were excluded from the price movement rankings to avoid misleading swings.
• Collection rankings are based on completed sales volume.

Pre-Owned Rolex Prices Heading Into Q3 2026: What Buyers and Sellers Should Watch

The second quarter painted a clear picture. Buyers kept gravitating to professional steel models and neo-vintage references, while prices moved most in the dress watch segment led by the Day-Date 36. For buyers, the takeaway is that the accessible end of the market is tightening. Models like the Explorer, Datejust 36, and neo-vintage Submariners all posted double digit or near double digit gains, and waiting often means paying more. For sellers, gold Day-Dates, GMT-Master II references, and discontinued models are commanding strong results, and complete sets with box and papers continue to earn a premium.

Heading into the third quarter, we will be watching whether the Explorer's momentum continues, how the discontinued Milgauss and 116610 Submariner develop as collector pieces, and whether the Day-Date's climb extends through the summer. We will publish the full Q3 numbers in October. Until then, you can explore our current pre-owned Rolex inventory, get a quote to sell your Rolex, or follow our ongoing market coverage for the latest movements in the world's most watched luxury brand.