Rare Rolex Watches: 8 Elusive Picks on Wristcheck (2025)
First it was astronauts and actors. Now it’s venture founders, Tokyo dealers, and auction-hopping insiders chasing the same mythical references. In 2025, nothing telegraphs connoisseurship quite like owning one of the rare Rolex watches that never make it to the boutique floor.
The models below are collector catnip: hard-to-source Daytonas, left-handed GMTs, and platinum-cased anomalies that whisper provenance. Each is in stock on Wristcheck right now — fully authenticated and spec-verified — so you can skip the waitlist, skip the guesswork, and start owning the story.
Watches Mentioned
- Daytona “Le Mans”
- Platinum Daytona
- Daytona “John Mayer”
- Day-Date “Khanjar”
- Submariner 126619LB
- GMT-Master II “Sprite”
- Milgauss GV
- Daytona Rose Gold Oysterflex
1. Rolex Daytona “Le Mans” 126529LN
Created for the centennial of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this white-gold Daytona is among the rarest modern Rolex chronographs. Its red “100” tachymeter nods to the race’s anniversary, while a modified calibre 4132 supports a full 24-hour totaliser—unique among Daytona variants. With a black lacquer dial and applied Arabic numerals, the design harks back to Paul Newman-era layouts, but the specs are firmly 21st century. Allocation was razor-thin; resale is already volatile.
Specs
- Case: 40 mm 18 kt white gold
- Movement: calibre 4132, automatic
- Hero spec: Red “100” Cerachrom tachymeter bezel
- Reference: 126529LN-0001
- Production run: 2023–2024
- Approx. price: US$ 236,300
2. Rolex Daytona Platinum 126506-0001
This isn’t just a Daytona in platinum—it’s the evolved form. The updated 4131 movement reduces friction and showcases Côtes de Genève through an exhibition caseback (a first for the Daytona line). The ice-blue dial and chestnut bezel remain, but now with sharper geometry and a leaner profile. On the wrist, it weighs like a brick but wears like silk.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm 950 platinum
-Movement: calibre 4131, automatic
-Hero spec: Monobloc chestnut-brown Cerachrom bezel
-Reference: 126506-0001
-Production run: 2023–present
-Approx. price: US$ 117,000
3. Rolex Daytona “John Mayer” 116508
What began as a casual nod on a Hodinkee video snowballed into the green-dial grail. This yellow-gold 116508 was never branded as a limited edition—but functionally, it was. With sunburst emerald lacquer and golden Arabic numerals, it’s a reference that straddles hype and high horology. Discontinued in 2022, now flanked by a newer model, this remains the version collectors chase.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm 18 kt yellow gold
-Movement: calibre 4130, automatic
-Hero spec: Metallic sunburst-green dial
-Reference: 116508-0013
-Production run: 2016–2022
-Approx. price: US$ 84,700
4. Rolex Day-Date 40 “Khanjar” 228206
Rolex has a long, low-profile history with Oman’s royal family. The green Khanjar emblem on this platinum Day-Date marks it as a state-commissioned piece—issued in minuscule quantities for official gifting. Combined with an ice-blue dial and Arabic numerals, the 228206 is less a dress watch, more a diplomatic artifact.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm 950 platinum
-Movement: calibre 3255, automatic
-Hero spec: Green khanjar crest at 6 o’clock
-Reference: 228206
-Production run: 2018–present (special commission)
-Approx. price: US$ 120,000
5. Rolex Submariner Date 126619LB
A Sub in precious metal flips the visual codes of toolwatch utility. Nicknamed the “White Gold Smurf 2.0”, this ref. 126619LB swaps out the old blue dial for black lacquer, and pairs it with a vibrant blue Cerachrom bezel. It’s still a 300 m diver, but one with gravitas—and weight—to rival a dress watch.
Specs
-Case: 41 mm 18 kt white gold, 300 m WR
-Movement: calibre 3235, automatic
-Hero spec: Blue Cerachrom bezel insert
-Reference: 126619LB-0003
-Production run: 2020–present
-Approx. price: US$ 38,800
6. Rolex GMT-Master II “Sprite” 126720VTNR
The GMT “Sprite” flips convention—literally. With its left-hand crown, reverse date, and black-green bezel, it upends every norm Rolex collectors grew up with. Whether a nod to lefties or just a flex of symmetry disruption, this GMT feels rarer than its production numbers suggest.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm Oystersteel
-Movement: calibre 3285, automatic
-Hero spec: Left-hand crown & date
-Reference: 126720VTNR-0002
-Production run: 2022–present
-Approx. price: US$ 19,400
7. Rolex Milgauss GV 116400GV
The Milgauss was never mainstream, and that’s precisely the point. This now-discontinued ref. 116400GV with green sapphire crystal, Faraday cage, and lightning seconds hand encapsulates Rolex at its weirdest. Collectors have started to realise it was hiding in plain sight—until 2024, when it vanished.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm Oystersteel with Faraday cage
-Movement: calibre 3131, automatic
-Hero spec: Green-tinted sapphire crystal
-Reference: 116400GV-0001
-Production run: 2007–2024
-Approx. price: US$ 11,000
8. Rolex Daytona Rose-Gold Oysterflex 126515LN
This Daytona rewrites the sports-watch playbook in sundust pink and Everose gold. Its Oysterflex bracelet—rubber outside, titanium blade inside—gives a techy contrast to the warm metal and chocolate bezel. It’s Daytona-meets-Balmain, and collectors are starting to clock its crossover appeal.
Specs
-Case: 40 mm Everose gold
-Movement: calibre 4131, automatic
-Hero spec: Oysterflex bracelet with glide-lock clasp
-Reference: 126515LN-0006
-Production run: 2021–present
-Approx. price: US$ 52,100
FAQ
Why are some Daytonas more expensive than others?
Precious metals, rare dials, and limited production boost value.
Is the green-dial Daytona still made?
No—116508 ended in 2022. A newer green variant exists but differs visibly.
What’s the left-hand GMT for?
Originally niche, it’s now a contrarian collector's favourite.
How scratch-prone is platinum?
Dense yet soft—scuffs happen, but can be polished clean.
Was the Milgauss really discontinued?
Yes. As of 2025, no successor has been announced.
From endurance-race tributes to state-sealed commissions, these eight rare Rolex watches aren’t just watches—they’re signals. Each reference threads together scarcity, provenance, and long-term desirability, making them serious plays for collectors who know their references.
Every watch listed on Wristcheck is fully authenticated, transparently priced, and curated with collectors in mind. Whether you're searching for your first John Mayer Daytona or need a second opinion before making the leap, our team is here to help.
Start browsing, or reach out if you’re ready to lock in the right piece.