Cheapest Rolex watches for men, least expensive in 2023

Just like ‘Tom Brady’ and ‘misplaced pass,’ ‘cheap’ and ‘Rolex’ are two words that you don’t see together often. Rolex watches are carefully designed and made using only the best materials. They pass through the hands and minds of many specialists, including watchmakers, designers, engineers and other experts before they reach your wrist. 

It’s said that each individual timepiece can take around a Whole year to makeIs it any surprise that we have trouble finding the cheapest Rolex for men? I’ll answer that for you: no, it’s not. However, while coming across something that doesn’t break the bank is a tough task, it’s by no means impossible (especially if you know where to look).

As luck would have it, we’ve been looking in all the right places. We pulled together a bunch of pretty awesome watches that aren’t going to leave you eating beans on toast for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Read on to find out our pick of the top Rolexes that are affordable (albeit generously priced).

Winston Churchill. Martin Luther King. Roger Federer. James Bond. Quite an impressive (and admittedly random) list of gentlemen, wouldn’t you say? What is their commonality? You guessed it: they’ve all been wearers of the Rolex. Not just any Rolex. The Datejust is/was their watch of choice (and we’re not surprised in the slightest).

It’s arguably one of the most recognizable luxury watches in the world (and The Best Movies Ever Made). The Datejust is timeless, iconic, and all-around beautiful—making it the perfect choice for pretty much any occasion. This 36mm model is our pick of the bunch, showcasing a sleek stainless steel case with the brand’s signature automatic movement. 

The luminous hour markers and hands are also a nice feature to have when you’re drinking Bourbon in your favorite late-night pub.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a quiet jewel amongst the A-list of watches (think Daytona Day-Date and GMT-Master). It’s true that its impressively similar counterparts vie for your attention and money. Perpetual, however, is a watch that sits in the shadows and waits for the right time to strike.

This late 1990s model, which is classy and distinct without being garish, flashy or loud, is an excellent entry-level choice that costs just a bit over $4,000 It has almost all the features you’d expect from a high-end luxury watch, without the excessive price. Thanks to its classy stainless steel case and white roman numeral face, it’ll look right at home with pretty much your entire wardrobe. Whether you’re dressing for a wedding, business meeting, or lunch with friends, this is your go-to timepiece.

It is not easy to save up and buy a Rolex. For most men, the starting price is prohibitive. How do you make your dream watch a reality on the wrist? While it’s nice to be the first one to own something, that can be the most pricey option. You can get a lot of value by shopping the used market. Bang For your money

Air King Pre-owned comes in at under $7,000 So it’s not spare change, but it’s definitely one of the most affordable Rolexes you’ll come across. It dates back to circa 1999 and comes with a 34mm stainless steel Oyster case that’s ideal for smaller wrists.

The luminous sunburst blue ‘explorer’ dial is sure to catch envious glances at your next family get-together, especially if it’s poking out from a navy tailored suit jacket.

If understated style is your thing, then you’ll love this pre-owned Datejust. This stainless steel watch is classy, with its folded link Jubilee band and stainless steel case. It strikes the perfect balance between elegance and not being too overbearing. Not too dressy nor too sporty, it’s an excellent solution for guys in need of a watch that’ll do it all (including quick dips in the pool, but not deep sea diving).

It ticks off all the boxes, from versatility to style and durability. And for a hair under $8,000, it’s not a bad price considering the quality you’re getting. You can pop it on for a wedding or a night on the town, so it’s safe to say it’ll get plenty of wear.

For lovers of leather and classic style, the Cellini is where it’s at. Simple and classy, this cheapest Rolex for men is the kind of timepiece that doesn’t need to beg for your attention. It has already attracted all attention and will probably continue to do so. With its timeless design and iconic luxury obvious, it’s sure to leave a strong impression on any wearer (as well as anyone else who spots it on your wrist).

It just about fits into the ‘affordable’ category landing in the price category below $6,000. Comparing it to the other options out there, it’s still one of the least expensive Rolex watches you’ll find (and worth every cent). But that doesn’t mean you won’t have to start doing some serious saving. 

It can be worn with formal wear, but also complements a smart-casual outfit. If you’re looking for a versatile watch that will never fall out of favor, this is it.

Unless you wait for a big birthday or your paycheck resembles something similar to Kendall Roy’s, owning a Rolex is often nothing but a pipe dream. Add in some diamonds and a bit of gold, and surely you’re going to need to sell your house to afford one. Not quite—although you may have to go easy on the takeouts for a few months.

The price of this used 1987 Datejust will be just over $6000. so it does represent a reasonable entry point into the world of high-end watches (especially when you’re going to be wearing it most of the time). It features a stainless steel and 18kt gold jubilee band that demonstrates sophistication and taste. A champagne dial is also available with hands in yellow gold tone and hour markers made of diamonds. Bling without breaking the bank.

The Rolex Explorer is somewhere in between a dress and sports watch. It was originally made for explorers It was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, Tenzing Norgay and the first men who climbed Mount Everest. Today, it can be worn with your best formal shirts or even with fancy tailoring. It would be silly to wear it only on weekends hikes. But each to their own…

Yours for a little under $12,000, it’s not quite the cheapest Rolex for men, but it is more affordable than some other options out there. It’s price is more attractive when you see the classic stainless steel case with Luminova dial, and durable Oyster band. The watch looks sporty with jeans and gym clothes, but will impress at the next conference. Telling the time has never been so enjoyable.

What to Look for When Buying Cheap Rolex Men’s Watches 

Model

Rolex offers a wide range of models, from the Day-Date and Submariner to the Day Date. Each Rolex model has a starting price that is different, and some are more affordable than other. The Datejust, Oyster Perpetual or Air-King is the cheapest Rolex watch for men. These styles aren’t going to hit your wallet as heavy (although, be warned, they’re still not exactly ‘cheap’).

Move with ease

Rolexes today are either manually wound or self-winding. However, this wasn’t always the case. The luxury watchmaker previously produced a small number of battery-powered watches called ‘Oysterquartz.’ This ended in 2001, but you can still find some of these models on the pre-owned market (and they tend to be some of the cheapest Rolex for men).

Material

The materials of your Rolex play an important role in the value. Just like the metal used to make a wedding band, the Rolex watch’s material can also affect the price. All of these factors can affect the price. Platinum, followed by gold and stainless-steel, is the most costly. Rolex men’s watches are typically made out of the latter. Bezels come in a wide range of materials such as gold, ceramic and titanium. Some dials may include diamonds.