All The Discontinued Rolex Watches in 2026

Rolex doesn’t usually make a big deal out of discontinuations, but every year, a handful of references quietly disappear from the catalog. Sometimes it’s expected — slower-moving variations or minor tweaks — and other times, it’s something far more surprising. For 2026, the list of discontinued Rolex models includes a mix of both. There are subtle dial drops and configuration cleanups, but also the removal of some genuinely important pieces that have defined entire corners of the lineup in recent years. From the absence of the “Pepsi” GMT-Master II to the quiet exit of niche configurations like pavé Yacht-Masters and Azzurro Datejusts, this year’s discontinued Rolex watches leave a few noticeable gaps.

GMT-Master II “Pepsi”

Within Rolex nicknames, few are as widely recognized as the “Pepsi.” It refers to the GMT-Master I/II models fitted with a blue and red bezel — originally introduced in the 1950s to distinguish day and night hours for Pan Am pilots. Over time, that color combination became one of the most iconic in Rolex’s entire catalog.

In its modern form, the “Pepsi” bezel returned in 2014 in white gold, followed by the stainless steel versions in 2018, which quickly became some of the most in-demand Rolex watches on the market. The combination of the two-color Cerachrom bezel, GMT functionality, and strong historical ties made it a cornerstone of the GMT-Master II lineup.

That’s why its disappearance from the current catalog in 2026 is notable. Rolex has discontinued all “Pepsi” GMT-Master II references, including both stainless steel models (Ref. 126710BLRO on Jubilee and Oyster bracelets) and white gold variants (Ref. 126719BLRO with blue or meteorite dials).

As part of the broader wave of discontinued Rolex models this year, the removal of the “Pepsi” is easily one of the most surprising despite the rumors that have circulated for years.

Whether this is a temporary pause or a longer-term phase-out remains to be seen, but for now, the absence of a Pepsi GMT-Master II leaves a noticeable gap in the lineup.

2026 Discontinued Rolex Pepsi References

• 126710BLRO-0001 (Steel with Jubilee bracelet)
• 126710BLRO-0002 (Steel with Oyster bracelet)
• 126719BLRO-0002 (White gold with meteorite dial)
• 126719BLRO-0003 (White gold with blue dial)

The Only Rolex Submariner Discontinued in 2026: “Cookie Monster”

Another notable addition to the list of discontinued Rolex models in 2026 is the white gold Submariner Date Ref. 126619LB, better known as the “Cookie Monster.” That Rolex nickname comes from its blue Cerachrom bezel paired with a black dial, which is a combination that differentiates it from the all-blue “Smurf” it effectively replaced when it was introduced in 2020.

White gold Submariners have never been core, high-volume pieces in the lineup, but they’ve consistently served as a more low-key precious metal option for buyers who want something ultra-luxurious but also more subtle than yellow gold.

With the discontinuation of the 126619LB, Rolex has effectively removed white gold from the current Submariner catalog entirely, leaving only stainless steel, yellow gold, and two-tone yellow Rolesor variants in production.

Datejust 41 Azzurro

Another quiet but notable addition to the 2026 discontinued Rolex lineup is the Datejust 41 “Azzurro,” a configuration defined by its color.

“Azzurro” refers to the light, almost icy blue dial, which is distinct from Rolex’s more common sunburst blue. It has a softer, more pastel tone that shifts depending on the light, punctuated with Roman numerals. The newest version of the Azzurro dial was introduced in 2016 alongside the current-generation Datejust 41, replacing earlier Datejust II models that also featured the same color.

These models were offered across several familiar Datejust 41 configurations, all with steel cases but the choice of steel domed bezels or white gold fluted ones, and Jubilee or Oyster bracelets.

2026 Discontinued Rolex Azzurro References

• Ref. 126300-0017 (Steel with smooth bezel, Oyster bracelet)
• Ref. 126300-0018 (Steel with smooth bezel, Jubilee bracelet)
• Ref. 126334-0025 (Steel with white gold fluted bezel, Oyster bracelet)
• Ref. 126334-0026 (Steel with white gold fluted bezel, Jubilee bracelet)

Diamond Pavé Yacht-Master Dials

Another niche but notable group among the discontinued Rolex models in 2026 are the diamond-pavé dial versions of the Everose gold Yacht-Master, including the 37mm Ref. 268655-0010 and the 40mm Ref. 126655-0005.

Diamond-pavé dials were first introduced to the Everose Yacht-Master lineup in 2018, initially appearing on the Ref. 116655 before carrying over to the newer-generation 126655. The 37mm Ref. 268655-0010, however, has remained within the same generation throughout, simply adopting the pavé dial option alongside the 40mm models. These variants took the Yacht-Master in a more overtly jewelry watch direction, pairing the sporty Oysterflex-equipped case and black Cerachrom bezels with fully set diamond dials.

2026 Discontinued Rolex Diamond Yacht-Master References

• Ref. 126655-0005
• Ref. 268655-0019

Day-Date 36 Turquoise Dial

It wasn’t that long ago that Rolex unveiled a selection of Day-Date 36 stone dial models, including a turquoise one with diamond-set Roman numerals. Along with the flagship platinum and diamond bezel variant that headlined the releases, Rolex also quietly made gold versions with the same turquoise stone dial, with and without diamonds on the bezel and President bracelet.

In fact, Rolex offered a whopping 17 references of the Day-Date 36 with turquoise dials. Fast-forward only three years later, and the turquoise stone Day-Date models have now joined the growing list of discontinued Rolex watches in 2026.

2026 Discontinued Rolex Day-Date 36 Turquoise Dial References

• Ref. 128236-0011 (Platinum, fluted bezel)
• Ref. 128396TBR-0016 (Platinum, bezel with trapezoidal diamonds)
• Ref. 128239-0044 (White gold, fluted bezel)
• Ref. 128239-0045 (white gold, fluted bezel, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128349RBR-0031 (White gold, bezel with round diamonds)
• Ref. 128349RBR-0032 (White gold, bezel with round diamonds, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128399TBR-0011 (White gold, bezel with trapezoidal diamonds)
• Ref. 128238-0071 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel)
• Ref. 128238-0072 (Yellow gold, fluted bezel, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128348RBR-0037 (Yellow gold, bezel with round diamonds)
• Ref. 128348RBR-0038 (Yellow gold, bezel with round diamonds, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128398TBR-0014 (Yellow gold, bezel with trapezoidal diamonds)
• Ref. 128235-0064 (Everose gold, fluted bezel)
• Ref. 128235-0065 (Everose gold, fluted bezel, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128345RBR-0064 (Everose gold, bezel with round diamonds)
• Ref. 128345RBR-0065 (Everose gold, bezel with round diamonds, diamond-set President bracelet)
• Ref. 128395TBR-0018 (Everose gold, bezel with trapezoidal diamonds)

White Gold & Platinum Perpetual 1908 with Brown Straps

Introduced in 2023, the Perpetual 1908 is Rolex’s newest approach to the classic dress watch, replacing the Cellini line. While it’s not water-resistant to 100 meters like other Oyster Rolex watches, it does have a self-winding movement — hence the Perpetual moniker.

Upon release, the Perpetual 1908 was made available in platinum, white gold, and yellow gold, with all three versions available on a choice of matte brown or matte black straps (the yellow gold also has the option of a matching gold Settimo bracelet). However, two years on, Rolex has now culled the brown strap versions for the white gold and platinum models. I wonder if that move is to make room for future white gold and platinum Settimo bracelets.

2026 Discontinued Perpetual 1908 References

• Ref. 52509-0006 (White gold, brown leather strap)
• Ref. 52506-0002 (Platinum, brown leather strap)

The Watches Rolex Discontinued in 2026

The 2026 discontinued Rolex lineup is a mix of quiet trims and a few genuinely surprising exits. Some of these feel like routine catalog cleanups, while others, like the disappearance of the “Pepsi” GMT-Master II or the white gold Submariner, leave more noticeable gaps. It’s a reminder that even Rolex’s most recognizable configurations aren’t guaranteed to stick around forever.

As always, Rolex makes these changes without any explanation, which is part of what keeps the secondary market so reactive to shifts like this. Whether some of these models eventually return or stay gone for good remains to be seen. But I have no doubt that the price of a pre-owned Pepsi will surge in the short term.

Stay tuned to Grey Market Magazine as we’ll continue to update this list of discontinued Rolex models throughout 2026 if any additional references are quietly removed from the current production lineup.