W&W2024
This article is part of our Watches and Wonders 2024 coverage.
Watches & Wonders 2024 is finally open! While there are plenty of new watches from the world’s leading watchmakers to get excited about, this is also the time that we have to say goodbye to some timepieces. Here’s a list of all the discontinued Rolex watches in 2024 that we know of so far.
Discontinued Rolex Yacht-Master II Collection
Many of us saw this coming —the entire Yacht-Master II collection has been dropped from the Rolex catalog. Launched in 2007, the supersized nautical chronograph was ultra-niche, developed specifically for yacht regattas. Although its functions were mechanically impressive, not only boasting a 1-10 minute countdown function that can synchronize on the fly but also the only chronograph in the world with a mechanical memory, the Yacht-Master II never became a smash hit like Rolex’s other tool watches.
The now discontinued Rolex Yacht-Master II was available in various metals at different points in its history including steel, yellow gold, and rose gold, all fitted with a blue Cerachrom bezel, in addition to white gold topped with a platinum bezel. The case was very large, especially for Rolex, clocking in at 44mm. And the dial layout was controversial, to say the least. Many found it much too busy and hard to read.
So, how will the discontinuation of the Rolex Yacht-Master II impact grey prices now that it can only be sourced from the secondary market?
“I think you will see a slight increase of the Yacht-Master II in steel. And I am happy to see Rolex bring another large precious metal option to the consumer with the new yellow gold Deepsea.”
Roman Sharf, CEO and Founder, Luxury Bazaar
Rolex had neglected the Yacht-Master II line for a few years now, focusing its attention on the Yacht-Master I collection instead. That makes sense now given that Rolex was planning to discontinue the Yacht-Master II in 2024.
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Discontinued Rolex Daytona “Le Mans”
When Rolex launched the Daytona Le Mans in 2023, it was a surprise to just about everybody. Not only was it a special edition watch (Rolex rarely makes special editions) that highlighted the partnership between the Swiss watchmaking giant and the famed enduring race but it also came out in the middle of the summer, well after Rolex launched the revived Daytona collection at Watches & Wonders 2023.
Now, less than a year later, Rolex has discontinued the white gold Daytona “Le Mans.” I suppose that makes sense since Rolex made the watch to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans race and in 2024, that’s no longer the case.
However, the watch was coveted by many, so prices for the special edition Daytona watch in white gold will likely sky-rocket on the grey market now that it’s been cut out of the Rolex catalog. And interestingly, Rolex is now making a yellow gold version instead. Perhaps that’ll also be discontinued next year and be replaced with an Everose gold Le Mans model? We shall have to wait and see.
Discontinued Rolex Palm and Fluted Motif Dials
Funkier dials jump in and out of the Rolex collection quite frequently. If you have your mind set on a dial that’s a little unusual (think Celebration Bubbles, Emoji dials, Palms, Hardstones, and so on) then you better snap it up when you can before it disappears.
Case in point are the Palm Motif and Fluted Motif dials, which are now part of the discontinued Rolex 2024 club. Palm motif and Fluted motif are types of laser-etched dials that were introduced to the Datejust 36 lineup in 2021. Fast forward three years, and they’re no longer available in Rolex’s current catalog even though these designs had loyal fans wanting to buy them.
Discontinued Rolex Sea-Dweller Deepsea
With the release of the yellow gold Deepsea at Watches & Wonders 2024, Rolex announced that the Deepsea will no longer be a part of the Sea-Dweller collection; instead, the Deepsea will be a standalone collection.
As a result, Rolex has discontinued all Deepsea dials with the “SEA-DWELLER” name on them. To be clear, the reference remains the same for the stainless steel Deepsea ref. 136660. However, as of 2024, the dials — including both the standard black dial and the James Cameron blue-to-back gradient dials—will only include the “DEEPSEA” inscription.
What Else Will Rolex Discontinue in 2024?
Contrary to all the rumors flying around, the Rolex Pepsi was not discontinued in 2024. The beloved red and blue GMT BLRO is still in production.
As of now, the only 2024 Rolex discontinuations are the Yacht-Master II collection, the Daytona Le Mans watch, and the select motif dials outlined above. However, that doesn’t mean Rolex won’t quietly axe more from its lineup. If more discontinued Rolex 2024 news happens, we’ll keep you posted!
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