Rolex 2026 novelties: new references, discontinued references and the impact on pre-owned prices
The centenary Oyster Perpetual, a new Yacht-Master II, a Rolesium Daytona, and above all the end of the steel GMT-Master II "Pepsi": the Rolex 2026 year reviewed reference by reference, and what each change means for market value.
Market · · 7 min read
Rolex does not publish a list of its withdrawals. Each spring, the novelties are announced with great fanfare at Watches and Wonders, while discontinued references simply disappear from the brand's website. For the pre-owned market, that second movement is often the more important. Here is the 2026 review, as it emerges from the official catalogue and from the specialist press.
The context: a hundred years of the Oyster
2026 marks the centenary of the Oyster case, the first waterproof wristwatch case, patented by Rolex in 1926. The brand made it the thread of its presentation, with commemorative details on several models. The novelties nonetheless remain concentrated on a small number of families, as every year.
The new references
| Model | Reference | What changes |
|---|---|---|
| Oyster Perpetual 41 | 134303 | two-tone, smooth yellow gold bezel, calibre 3230, centenary details |
| Oyster Perpetual 36 | 126000 (new dial) | multicoloured dial inspired by the Jubilee pattern |
| Oyster Perpetual 28 and 34 | not given in our sources | solid gold, natural stone indices |
| Yacht-Master II | 126680 (steel), 126688 (yellow gold) | new generation, revised countdown |
| Daytona | not given in our sources | Rolesium case (steel and platinum), white dial |
Oyster Perpetual: the entry model in the spotlight
The Oyster Perpetual is the simplest watch in the catalogue: hours, minutes, seconds, no date. The 134303 adds a smooth yellow gold bezel on a steel case, in 41 mm, with the calibre 3230 and a power reserve of about 70 hours. The Oyster Perpetual's coloured dials have often traded above retail in their first years; it is too early to know whether the centenary versions will.
Yacht-Master II: a new generation
The 44 mm Yacht-Master II, launched in 2007, is replaced by a new generation. The regatta countdown chronograph is retained, but its operation has been revised according to show reports. The Yacht-Master II has never been a high-premium Rolex: it commonly sold close to its retail price. Its replacement should therefore not send the old generation soaring, except for the least-produced versions.
Daytona in Rolesium
Rolesium, the combination of steel and platinum, was until now reserved for other collections. Its arrival on the Daytona adds a top-end variant to the family. Steel Daytonas remain the most liquid on the market; see our Daytona market value guide for the grids by reference.
The discontinued references
| Reference | Model | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| 126710BLRO | GMT-Master II "Pepsi", steel | strongest effect, already partly anticipated |
| 126719BLRO | GMT-Master II "Pepsi", white gold | slow rise, restricted clientele |
| 126619LB | Submariner Date white gold, blue bezel | gradual rather than sudden rise |
| 116680 and variants | Yacht-Master II, 2007–2026 generation | limited effect |
| 126655 and 268655 | Yacht-Master Everose, paved dial | slow effect, narrow market |
| — | Datejust 31 floral dials, several gem-set GMT and Daytona versions | marginal effect |
Rolex makes no announcement of these withdrawals: they are noted from the disappearance of the references from the brand's website. The list may therefore grow during the year.
The end of the steel Pepsi: the case that matters
The GMT-Master II 126710BLRO has been one of the most sought-after steel Rolex watches since its launch in 2018. It already traded at a significant premium over retail: between €16,500 and €20,500 in 2026 according to our surveys, for a retail price of about €11,800. Our article on GMT-Master II market value details this grid.
What will happen? The closest precedent is the Submariner "Hulk" 116610LV, discontinued in 2020. Its value settled above that of Submariners in production, and is still there: €15,000 to €19,000 according to our 2026 surveys. Three caveats, however:
- Part of the rise has already happened. Withdrawal rumours circulated before the show; several observers noted that most of the 2026 movement took place before Watches and Wonders opened.
- The Pepsi was produced in large numbers. Eight years of production, two bracelets (Jubilee and Oyster): pre-owned supply is plentiful, which curbs a surge.
- Blue and red may return. Rolex has already reintroduced bezel combinations under new references. A return would put pressure on the discontinued generation.
For an owner, the first conclusion is not to rush: a highly sought-after discontinued reference is rarely worth selling in the heat of the announcement. For a buyer, it is the opposite: the first weeks after a withdrawal are often the most expensive.
The other withdrawals: slow or marginal effect
The Submariner Date 126619LB, in white gold with a blue bezel and black dial, nicknamed "Cookie Monster" by collectors, also leaves the catalogue. Solid gold watches have a narrower clientele than steel: their value reacts more slowly to a withdrawal, and depends more on the metal price. The same goes for the Everose gold Yacht-Masters with paved dials and for the gem-set versions: the market exists, but it is thin, and a withdrawal rarely produces a visible rise in the short term. For the steel Submariner, nothing changes in 2026.
And the waiting lists?
The most desirable steel novelties remain hard to obtain in boutiques, and the Pepsi's withdrawal shifts part of the demand onto the GMT-Master II "Batman" and "Sprite". We have detailed how waiting lists work and the real cost of impatience in our article on the waiting list versus the grey market.
Practical information
- Official catalogue and retail prices: rolex.com
- Launch show: Watches and Wonders Geneva, next edition from 5 to 11 April 2027 (watchesandwonders.com)
- Checking a reference: the reference is engraved between the lugs, on the 12 o'clock side, and appears on the warranty card.
In short
Rolex's 2026 is the year of the Oyster centenary, but for the secondary market it will remain the year the steel Pepsi ended. The effect on market value is real, partly already priced in, and less spectacular than "guaranteed rise" claims suggest. To find out the current value of your Rolex, start an estimate: reference, year and condition are enough.
