Summer’s around the corner, or depending on who you ask, it’s already started. If you’re the kind of person who rotates your watches with the seasons, this is a great time to make a move. Today, we’ve selected a daily wearer, a vacation-ready diver, and something a little dressier for those summer night dinners. The pre-owned Rolex market still has strong summer-ready buys if you know where to look. Let’s get into it.
Oyster Perpetual 36mm, Turquoise Dial (Ref. 126000)
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000. Image Source: The Marin Vault
Let’s start with the obvious outlier: a Rolex that retails for $ 6,100 and trades for more than double that on the secondary market. Not exactly the definition of a “deal”—until you look at what it’s up against.
The 36mm turquoise OP (ref. 126000) might not seem like a bargain at ~$ 13,800 to $ 15,000, but it’s a far better buy than its discontinued big brother. The 41mm version (ref. 124300), which originally retailed for $ 6,500, now changes hands for just under $ 30,000.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000. Image Source: Atelier de Griff
So if you want the fun, summer-perfect turquoise dial without spending Daytona money, the 36mm is a sharp way in. If you’re lucky enough to score one at retail, even better. If you’re looking to spend under $ 10k, look at the other colors of the ref. 126000. You can find the black, green, blue, silver, pink, and others much closer to actual retail pricing.
Personally, I like bold dial colors in smaller sizes. The brightness feels more balanced at 36mm, especially on a clean three-hand watch. It’s playful, compact, and easy to wear—exactly what you want for warm-weather days, beach trips, or just a little something different in the rotation.
Sea-Dweller 4000 (Ref. 16600 and Ref. 16660 “Triple 6”)
Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16600. Image Source: Wind Vintage
Often called the Sea-Dweller 4000 for its 4,000ft depth rating, the ref. 16600 has been a sleeper hit in Rolex’s dive lineup for years. It wears like a beefier Submariner—40mm case diameter, 14.5mm case thickness (compared to the 12.7mm thick Submarner of the era), aluminum bezel insert, helium escape valve—but feels more compact than the specs suggest, thanks to its dramatically tapered bracelet (down to ~16mm at the clasp). No Cyclops lens over the date, which is a major bonus if you like a cleaner dial.
It was discontinued in 2008, and good examples have been sitting in the $ 8,500–$ 10,000 range, holding relatively steady even after the market cooled off in 2022. For a classic, no-nonsense tool watch that still flies under the radar, that’s hard to beat.
Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16660. Image Source: Sotheby’s
Want something slightly earlier? The ref. 16660—aka the “Triple Six”—offers the same depth rating and core look with a few transitional traits: an older 3035 movement, slightly thicker case, and a wider-feeling bracelet. They tend to sit in the $ 8K–$ 11K range depending on condition, which is fair for what you get.
Either way, this is a killer summer watch. Built for real use. Just make sure to get it pressure-tested if you’re buying pre-owned and planning to take it swimming.
Four- and Five-Digit Day-Date 36mm Models
Rolex Day-Date ref. 1803. Image Source: Analog:Shift
The Day-Date 36 might not be the first watch that comes to mind when you think of summer, but hear me out: you wear the Sea-Dweller during the day, and when it’s time for dinner or drinks, you throw on a vintage gold Day-Date on leather. Instant reset. Total style shift.
References like the 1803, 18038, 1807, and even the older 6611 can still be found well under $ 20K—some closer to $ 10K. Compare that to the $ 40K+ you’ll spend on a new Day-Date, and you start to see the value.
Rolex Day-Date ref. 18038 ‘Jubilee Dial’. Image Source: Tropical Watch
What makes these watches especially fun is the variety. You’ve got all kinds of dials, metals, and finishes to choose from—and paired with a strap (like a 20mm Everest Universal Leather Strap), they wear light, look clean, and don’t scream for attention.
One tip: bracelets drive up the price, so don’t shy away from a head-only listing if you plan on wearing it on leather anyway. Just be sure to check case condition and confirm the service history—refinished lugs and redials are everywhere in this segment, and they can really take away from the vintage charm.
Final Thoughts
Rolex Sea-Dweller ref. 16660 with Ghost Bezel. Image Source: Hairspring Watches
These aren’t bottom-of-the-barrel bargains. You shouldn’t be looking for those anyway. In Rolex terms, these are smart buys. You’ve got a colorful current-production piece that’s still trading well below its ultra-hyped sibling, a serious dive watch that continues to fly under the radar, and a lineup of vintage Day-Dates that give you that precious metal, complicated charm without hitting new-Daytona prices.
Prices are stable, availability is decent, and none of these feel like a compromise. If you’re looking to add something seasonal with lasting value, this is a solid place to start.
