Top 10+ ultra-rare Rolex watches collectors are chasing right now

Recently, our colleagues over at Esquire Japan visited renowned Osaka watch boutique Libertas to take a look at some extremely rare Rolex timepieces. Below, you'll find ten standout models that every serious Rollie fanatic should have on their wishlist.

1963 Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513

The 3-6-9 Explorer-dial Submariner

The 3-6-9 ‘Explorer’ dial appears on a small handful of early Submariner references (including 6200 and later 5512/5513 examples). Some feature the rare "underline" dial variant, generally associated with Rolex’s early-1960s transition toward tritium lume.

1958 Rolex Submariner Ref. 6538

James Bond's Submariner

This is believed to be the Submariner worn by Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No. The Ref. 6538, commonly known as the "Bond Sub," has an 8mm "BREVET"-signed crown and is water-resistant to 200m.

1969 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6241

Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona

The popularity of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona surged when the ref. 6239 was worn by actor Paul Newman in the 1960s. Fast forward to 2017, and a Ref. 6239 worn by the man himself was sold for record-breaking $17,752,500 at a Phillips auction, the highest price ever paid for a Rolex.

1970 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6264

The "Cherry" Cosmograph Daytona

This model earned the nickname "Cherry" due to the red "DAYTONA" inscription above its 6 o'clock subdial.

1956 Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 6542

An Ultra-Rare GMT-Master

The Ref. 6542 was produced from around 1955 to 1959. Models made between 1955 and 1956 are extremely rare, and the majority of those seen on the market are from 1957 onwards (and in many cases the bezel has been replaced). This is a 1956 model that uses a thin case called a "tin case" with a 5.3mm crown.

1964 Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675/8

The Solid Gold GMT-Master

Positioned as a high-class professional model, the GMT-Master has been available in solid gold since its first model. This early version of the Ref. 1675/8 features a "guardless" crown and alpha hands.

1965 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6240

A Cream-White Dial Ref. 6240

The manual-winding Daytona Ref. 6240 is essentially a prototype for the "Cosmograph Daytona" with screw-down pushers. This particular example features the word "DAYTONA" printed on the cream-white dial.

1990 Rolex Day-Date Ref. 18366

A Day-Date in Rolex's Corporate Colours

The Day-Date is Rolex's highest-ranking prestige model. The first model, the Ref. 6511, was released in 1956. Many special editions followed, including the Ref. 18366, featuring diamonds and emeralds symbolizing Rolex's corporate colors.

1964 Rolex Chronograph Ref. 6280

A "Pre-Daytona" with a mirror dial

Rolex released a number of chronographs before the birth of the Cosmograph Daytona. Among them is the Ref. 6238, known as the "Pre-Daytona." It's highly sought after among enthusiasts, and the black gilt dial is particularly rare.

1958 Rolex Ref. 6236

Jean-Claude Killy's favorite model

A watch that earned its nickname from French alpine skier Jean-Claude Killy, who famously wore it, the 6236 was produced in very limited numbers during the late '50s and early '60s.