Encyclopedia / Rolex / Datejust 41
No real new deal right now · checked Oct 19, 2026, 10:05 PM ET
$9,400 – $14,150 pre-owned street range
126300 (smooth bezel) (median ~$12,000)
No credible new discount: new Rolex watches are available only through Official Rolex Jewelers. Range = middle 80% of Chrono24 asking prices on the first results page for the reference, used and unworn mixed. The search covers every 126300 dial and bracelet combination, so prices vary a lot by dial. Jomashop listed a new blue 126300 at $10,950 ($10,750 with a coupon).
Price comparison: fixed-price listings
| Store | Condition | Box & papers | Asking price | Link | Checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Watchfinder | pre-owned | Yes | $9,685 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Swiss Watch Expo | pre-owned | Yes | $10,080 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Jomashop | new | Yes* | $10,750 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Chrono24 marketplace seller | pre-owned | Yes | $10,950 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
| Swiss Watch Expo | unworn | Not stated | $12,605 | View | Oct 19, 2026 |
Fixed-price (buy-now) asking prices in USD for ref. 126300, cheapest new and cheapest pre-owned with box and papers per store, sorted low to high and checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Buy-now listings only. Pre-owned listings are shown only when the listing states box and papers. * New from a grey-market dealer: comes boxed, but the warranty card may be the dealer's rather than the brand's. Chrono24 rows are individual third-party marketplace sellers. Prices change fast; confirm with the store.
What it really costs
| Market | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Rolex US retail | $8,950 (126300-0001) · $11,650 (126334-0001) | rolex.com |
| Grey-market new | $10,950 at Jomashop (blue 126300), above retail | jomashop.com |
| Pre-owned 126300 | about $9,400 – $14,150 (median ~$12,000) | Chrono24 |
All prices in USD, checked Oct 19, 2026 (ET). Pre-owned ranges are the middle 80% of asking prices on the first Chrono24 results page for that ref (about 60 listings, used and some unworn), fixed-price listings only. Grey-market = brand-new from a non-authorized dealer.
Buying guide
Key references
| Ref. | What it is | US retail |
|---|---|---|
| 126300 | Oystersteel, smooth bezel | $8,950 (-0001) |
| 126334 | Oystersteel with white gold fluted bezel | $11,650 (-0001) |
Which one I'd pick
126300 vs 126334: the 126300 has a smooth steel bezel and is $2,700 cheaper at retail. The 126334's white gold fluted bezel is the dressier, more traditional Datejust look. For an everyday watch, I'd take the 126300.
Oyster vs Jubilee: the Oyster bracelet is sportier; the Jubilee is the original Datejust bracelet. Pre-owned, check which one the listing actually includes.
What to check before you buy
- Box and papers: a Rolex warranty card that matches the serial on the watch is the single biggest resale factor.
- Service history: ask when and where it was last serviced. A Rolex service record helps resale.
- Ref and dial: '126300' covers many dials. Match the full ref and dial before comparing prices, and avoid aftermarket dials or bezels.
Alternatives worth a look
- Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41: Same 41 mm Rolex case without a date, cheaper at retail. (41 mm Oystersteel, Calibre 3230, retail $7,050 (134300-0001, Oystersteel))
- Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M: A dressy everyday Omega with a date, below retail grey-market. (41 mm stainless steel, Calibre 8900, retail $7,400 (220.10.41.21.01.002, 41 mm steel on steel))
- Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 'Snowflake': Titanium Spring Drive with one of the best dials around. (41 mm high-intensity titanium, Calibre 9R65 Spring Drive, retail $6,900)
History
Rolex launched the Datejust in 1945. It was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to show the date in a window on the dial.
The 1945 watch used Rolex's waterproof Oyster case, first introduced in 1926, a fluted bezel and a new bracelet named for the occasion: the Jubilee.
Today the Datejust comes in sizes from 28 mm to 41 mm in steel, two-tone and solid gold. The Datejust 41 uses Rolex's Calibre 3235.
The Jubilee bracelet was designed specifically for the Datejust's 1945 debut.
Specifications
| Brand | Rolex |
|---|---|
| Model | Datejust 41 |
| Key references | 126300, 126334 |
| Launch year | 1945 (Datejust) |
| Case | 41 mm Oystersteel (126300) |
| Date | Cyclops lens over the date at 3 o'clock |
| Bracelet | Oyster with Oysterclasp and Easylink 5 mm extension (126334-0001); Jubilee also offered |
| Movement | Calibre 3235, automatic |
| Power reserve | 70 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Approx. US retail (Oct 2026) | $8,950 (126300-0001); $11,650 (126334-0001, white gold bezel) |
Specs from the brand's official product page for the main reference. Retail prices are list prices, not market value, and change often.
Highlights
- Cyclops magnifying lens over the date
- Smooth or fluted bezel options
- Oyster or Jubilee bracelet
FAQ
How much is a Rolex Datejust 41?
Rolex US retail is $8,950 for the 126300-0001 and $11,650 for the 126334-0001 with a white gold bezel (checked Oct 19, 2026). On Chrono24, the middle of the market for a 126300 was about $9,400 to $14,150.
What's the difference between the 126300 and 126334?
The 126300 has a smooth Oystersteel bezel. The 126334 has a fluted bezel in white gold and costs more.
When was the Datejust introduced?
In 1945, as the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to show the date in a window on the dial.
Is the Datejust a good first Rolex?
It's the most classic everyday Rolex, and pre-owned asking prices start closer to retail than sports models like the Submariner or GMT-Master II.
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Get the free weekly issuePrices and availability last checked Oct 19, 2026. No affiliate links: I don't earn anything if you buy. Sources are listed in our research notes and linked above.