Rolex Discontinued Models: March 2023 Update
Finally, after a 7-year production run and 3 years of speculation, the Rolex “John Mayer” Daytona has officially discontinued with no upgraded model; the 116508 Green Dial and 116509 Blue Dial. We will be covering what Rolex has discontinued completely with no upgraded model and discontinued with an upgraded model.
Of course, we had to talk about the “John Mayer” Daytona. The “John Mayer” Daytona especially in the green dial has been at the forefront of watch speculation and is often dubbed the bitcoin of Rolex. With rumors of discontinuation in every Baselworld and now Watch & Wonders, we’ve seen prices in the secondary market skyrocket each time and come crashing down after the rumors proved to be false. On the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Daytona, speculators celebrate as this would definitely drive up prices to the moon.
Next which comes as a surprise to us, we have the discontinuation of the Meteorite Dial on the Rolex Daytona in both Oysterflex and Full Gold Bracelet with no upgraded model. Released in 2021, the Daytona Meteorite Dial has only a 2-year production run. These watches along with the “John Mayer” Daytona have been at the forefront of speculation. At its initial release, we saw crazy prices in the secondary market which it maintained and even increased well after its release, only dropping along with everything else during the 2022 price adjustment. Prices of the Meteorite Daytona remained sky-high even before discontinuation and this would push prices even higher. With this discontinuation, only the Rolex Pepsi GMT and Day dates carry the Meteorite dials.
We now see a major cutdown in the number of dials offered in the Rose Gold models both in Oysterflex and Full Gold Bracelet, the Chocolate, Ivory, and Sundust baguette diamond are discontinued with no upgraded models.
Next, the entire Rolex Milgauss has been discontinued with no upgraded models, this comes as a major shock to all of us as we all expected Rolex to follow up with an upgraded model. With its’ discontinuation, we currently do not have any models that spot the iconic green sapphire glass of the Milgauss. Will we see an upgraded model down the line? I personally believe so.
The Rolex Cellini has been discontinued with no upgraded models to make way for the new Rolex 1908. Only time would tell if the 1908 would revive Rolex dress watches lineup. With this, both the Milgaus and Cellini lineup are gone from the Rolex’s catalogue.
Interestingly, the Mother of Pearl dial has been discontinued only in the Rolex Datejust 41 line.
As you all probably know, the entire Daytona and Skydweller line has been discontinued. The rest of the discontinued model all comes with an upgraded model. Each spotting an upgrade in the movement and subtle changes to the dial in the Daytona line. Do stay tuned to our posts where we will spot the differences between the new and old Daytona.
Let us know what you think of the Rolex discontinued models and whether you were one of the lucky ones that own a”John Mayer” or Meteorite Daytona?
Check out the newly released Rolex (2023 March) here.