One of the most popular types of luxury watches is, by far, the Rolex sports watch. From the Submariner dive watch to the GMT-Master pilot watch to the robust Explorer II made for the adrenaline-seeking crowd, these coveted luxury watches are not only imbued with a spirit of adventure, but they boast fantastic designs that are instantly recognizable as a Rolex. Here are four of our favorite men’s Rolex sports watches under $8,000.
Rolex Explorer II 216570
With a 42mm Oyster case, the Explorer II ref. 216570 is one of the largest Rolex sports watches you can buy today. And with a price tag that’s well below $8,000, it’s also a great deal.
The Explorer II 216570 is not only a great looking Rolex sports watch, it’s also super practical thanks to its 24-hour marked bezel and orange 24-hour hand on the black dial. These components allow the wearer to easily set a second time zone. That, plus the center Mercedes-style hands that indicate the local time, as well as the date window at 3 o’clock, make the Explorer II 216570 the ideal Rolex watch to take on adventures in a faraway land.
Rolex Yacht-Master 16622
For a nautical-inspired Rolex watch, it’s got to be a Yacht-Master. Perfectly suited for the chic jet set, the Yacht-Master 16622 sports a 40mm steel Oyster case mounted with a sandblasted platinum bezel with high polished platinum numerals. The glistening sandblasted platinum carries on to the dial, which sets the background for the luminescent round hour markers, date window, the familiar Mercedes-style hands, and the red seconds hand.
With its timeless style and coming in well below $8,000, this is one Rolex sports watch that you can enjoy anytime, anywhere, and pretty much forever.
Rolex GMT-Master II 116710
Arguably one of the most popular Rolex sports watches to date, the GMT-Master has a history that stretches back six decades. And the GMT-Master II 116710 is the current version of the famed pilot watch with an ultra-modern Cerachrom ceramic bezel sitting on the stainless steel 40mm Oyster case. Why does Cerachrom matter? Because it’s both scratchproof and fade resistant, meaning that this GMT-Master II will look fresh for decades.
Looks aside, it’s hard to beat the usefulness of the GMT-Master II ref. 116710. Its extra GMT-hand on the black dial coupled with the bi-directional rotating bezel marked with 24 hours lets the user track up to three different time zones. Perfect for the globetrotter.
Rolex Submariner 16614
When it comes to Rolex sports watches, the Submariner diver’s watch is king. And for a dressier approach, there’s the Rolex Submariner ref. 16614. Flaunting an appealing mix of robust stainless steel and precious yellow gold, this two-tone Submariner is the definition of sporty elegance.
Moreover, with its vibrant blue dial and matching blue bezel, it’s a head turner. Since this is a dive watch, albeit an ultra-luxurious one, the 40mm Oyster case is water resistant to 300 meters, while the two-tone Oyster bracelet comes fitted with an extension system to permit the watch to fit over a wetsuit. At just under $8,000, you’ll want to dive right into this luxurious Rolex sports watch.
Since Rolex sports watches are built to last several lifetimes, the pre-owned market is the savvy way to shop for a luxury watch. For under $8,000, you can add any of these four iconic timepieces to your watch collection.
