Rolex Timeline of Model Introductions and Innovations

Below you will find a brief overview of the years in which Rolex's most important models were introduced and information on the most important innovations that have occurred in the production of Rolex watches over the years.

1926

1931

1938

1938

1945

1945

1953

1953

1953

1954

1954

1954

1956

1956

1959

1960

1961

1962

1967

1969

1969

1971

1974

1976

1977

1978

1979

1983

1983

1988

1992

1994

2000

2001

2003

2004

2004

2006

2007

2008

2008

2008

2008

2009

2009

2010

2011

2011

2011

2012

2012

2012

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Oyster case

Oyster Perpetual

Bubble Back

Oyster band

Jubilee Band

Datejust

Submariner (100m water resistant)

Datejust Turn-O-Graph

Explorer

GMT Master

Submariner (200m water resistant)

Oyster Perpetual Lady

Day-Date

President Band

Submariner gets crown protection and 40mm case

Deep Sea Special

Oyster Cosmograph

Cosmograph Daytona

Sea-Dweller

Submariner Date

Submariner Date 18k yellow gold

Explorer II

Sapphire glass developed

Oysterquartz

Quick set for the date

Sea-Dweller 4000

Submariner (300m water resistant) with sapphire crystal

GMT-Master II

Submariner stainless steel (Rolesor)

Cosmograph Daytona (Zenith factory)

Yachtmaster

Yachtmaster Lady & Medium

Cosmograph Daytona with Rolex movement

Lasered crown in sapphire crystal

Submariner LV

Rehaut engraving

New Datejust case

New GMT-Master II in stainless steel

Yacht-Master II in white & yellow gold

Sea-Dweller Deepsea

Day-Date II

Oyster Perpetual in 36mm

Daytona in rose gold

Datejust II

New case for the Submariner

Explorer in 39mm

Explorer II in 42mm

Yacht-Master II in stainless steel

Daytona in rose gold with black bezel

Sky-Dweller

New case for the Submariner

Deepsea Challenge