With a fleet of new Rolexes being announced, such as the Perpetual 1908 with guilloché dial, it’s inevitable that some of the existing models are sent out to pasture. It’s always sad to see a favourite reference be discontinued but to be honest, the number of watches getting the axe is relatively low compared to previous years. Chances are if you had your eye on anything except the Yacht-Master II you’ll still be able to buy a new one. Here’s every watch Rolex has discontinued in 2024.
Rolex Daytona Le Mans Ref. M126529LN
One of the shock Rolex discontinuations has been the removal of the Daytona Le Mans edition that was only released 10 months ago. As the watch was produced for Le Mans’ 100th anniversary, there is a certain logic in no longer producing it during a non-anniversary year. Plus when it was launched it was described as a limited edition although no quantity of available pieces was announced.
It’s a real shame because it’s a very cool interpretation of the Daytona and the 24-hour chronograph counter was a very thematic addition to the collection. Fortunately, this isn’t the last we’ll see of the Le Mans because at Watches & Wonders, Rolex have showcased what appears to be an off-catalogue edition of the watch in yellow gold as a replacement. Although details are thin on the ground regarding that watch currently.
Rolex Datejust ‘Motif’ Editions Ref. 126200, 126231 and 126233
Rolex Datejust 36 ‘Palm Motif’ ref. 126200
This one is close to my heart because the Rolex Datejust 36 palm fronds and fluted dial motifs were some of the first Rolexes to be released when I started working at Oracle Time. Specifically, these are the refs. 126200, 126231 and 126233 (Palm and Golden Fluted Motif). They were cool sub-collection of Datejusts with fun dials that feature leaf-like patterns or that are inspired by the classic Rolex fluted bezel.
126231
126233 (Palm Motif)
126233 (Golden Fluted Motif)
However, if the new Perpetual 1908 is anything to judge from, Rolex is by no means done with exploring fresh and interesting dial patterns. If anything, the 1908 features a more extreme patterned dial than the motif editions implying that more adventurous things are possible in future.
Rolex Yacht-Master II Ref. 116681
The entire Yacht-Master II collection is gone. That’s essentially the long and the short of it, the whole sub-collection has been discontinued. It’s important to note that the standard Yacht Master isn’t going anywhere, just its regatta timer counterpart. Regatta timers are a very niche complication designed to count down the time until the beginning of a boat race, hence why it’s an appropriate complication for the Yacht-Master. In fact you’d argue that the Yacht-Master II is more of a genuine boat-themed watch than the standard version.
At this point, I would go so far as to say I don’t know why Rolex doesn’t just discontinue the standard Yacht-Master because it offers very little that’s different to the Submariner. Its main benefit is being a more luxury focussed collection but after the launch of a gold Deepsea. I don’t see what the Yacht-Master is adding to the range.
More details at Rolex.
The reason I bought my Rolex was because it doesn’t look like one from any sort of distance. It’s all the same colour steel (except the bezel is platinum) including the face. Its so unlike Rolex and I love it for being so uncool. It was made primarily for the American market, but soon was discontinued as it didn’t sell well…great for me as it’s quite rare now.
Fashions come and fashions go, even in the world of high-end watches. It’s not the end of the world. Yet.