Sign In
(817) 503-2334
Contact Us
By:
Rolex Off-Catalog: 2026’s New Boutique Editions
As many of you are probably aware, the watches you see on Rolex’s website or in their stores (you know, the ones with ‘For Exhibition Purposes Only’ signs underneath them) only tell part of the story.
Behind the models available to mere mortals is another level of Rolex watch; the so-called ‘off-catalog’ pieces only accessible or even shown to a very select few.
These generally take the form of massively bejeweled versions of some of the old favorites. If you cast your mind back a couple of years to the quite wonderful ‘Rainbow Daytona’, with its multicolored gemstone bezel, or the ‘GMT-Master Ice’, swamped head to foot in diamonds and the most expensive Rolex ever, both were off-catalog models.
A new round of these ultra luxurious VVIP-bound specimens are created annually, and this year Rolex came out with 11 fresh versions. Now, because they are so exclusive, details are somewhat thin on the ground. But below we take you through what you might be seeing on the wrists of the likes of Roger Federer, Lionel Messi or Drake in the months to come.
The Rolex Daytona ref. 126502 and the Day-Date ref. 228235JG
We covered these two models in our W&W 2026 round up article, and they are a little different to the others on this list.
While both are formally off-catalog pieces, you can actually find them on the official Rolex website on the ‘Exceptional Watches’ page.
The ref. 126502 is the first Daytona and the first non-Yacht-Master model to be given the Rolesium treatment; Rolex’s name for a mix of steel and platinum. Admittedly, the platinum in this case is reserved solely for the bezel ring—by all accounts the amount used weighs less than an M&M, but still. The real story here is the dial, one of the rare instances where the brand has used Grand Feu; an enameling technique which produces a high gloss but relatively delicate finish.
As for the Day-Date, this 40mm example has been produced in Rolex’s new precious metal for this season, what they’re calling Jubilee Gold. A lovely, low-key material, it is given a pop on the ref. 228235JG with the use of a green aventurine dial, finished with 10 baguette-cut diamonds for indexes.
These are two of the most understated additions to the off-catalog collection, and also the least expensive. The Daytona retails at $57,800, while the President is $57,000.
The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 126678SAJOR-0003
With the demise of the two pavé dialed Yacht-Masters (which we also covered in a previous post), this striking and highly elitist variant goes some way to filling the gap. Not that we’ll ever likely see it.
Starting off with a yellow gold case, the model is fitted with a dial made from carnelian, a reddish-orange semi-precious quartz. That beautiful warm hue is complemented by an off-black Oysterflex strap, lugs and crown guards set with brilliant cut diamonds and a bezel of rainbow-colored sapphires (which is where we get the reference number designation SAJOR: SA=sapphires, JOR=joaillerie, meaning high jewelry).
A stunning, autumnal watch, the price is expected to be around $162,900.
The Rolex GMT-Master II Chrysocolla ref. 126755EMSA
Many of the more outrageous off-catalog Rolexes, I have to admit, are just a bit too much for me. However, every now and again, the designers do come up with something I really like. This year, it’s the ref. 126755EMSA.
Starting out with an Everose case, the top half of that famous GMT bezel is set with baguette-cut blue sapphires, the bottom with green emeralds. Dotted at the five-minute marks are diamonds, which also swamp the lugs and guards.
But it’s the dial which really elevates this piece. Made from chrysocolla, which I don’t need to tell you is a hydrous copper phyllosilicate mineral, it’s naturally occurring blue/green veining means no two samples are ever alike.
On the GMT it is incredibly vivid and yet calming, its swirling colors almost like looking at a tropical coral reef.
It is all around an absolute triumph, and should Rolex ever invite me to buy one, I’ll hand over my $355,000 with a big smile on my face.
The Rolex GMT-Master II Blue Quartz ref. 126759SABL
For the more budget-minded, Rolex added a second GMT-Master-based watch to their restricted collection for 2026.
The ref. 126759SABL comes on a white gold base with the same diamond lugs and crown guards as before, but with a bezel solely set with blue sapphires and a dial of blue quartz.
It’s the first time Rolex has used the stone for the dial of a modern GMT, and where the chrysocolla had a playfully effervescent look, this one is all cool as ice monochrome.
No less stunning for all that and arguably more wearable day to day, the model is neighboring on the restrained. $253,000 and it’s yours.
The remaining eight watches all take the endlessly adaptable Day-Date as their platform. Seven of them are 36mm and have a natural stone dial fitted to a mixture of yellow, white or Everose cases; four worn on a color-matched alligator leather strap and three on a President bracelet.
The eighth is a 40mm variant and offers a new take on the all-time classic President look.
With prices ranging from $62,705 to $76,600, let’s look at the leather strap collection first
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128148RBR-0002 $63,900
Starting with the most arresting model, the intense pink thulite dial and coordinated strap of the ref. 128148RBR-0002 gives a Stella-rivalling level of visual boldness.
The yellow gold of the case comes shining through, with diamonds restricted to the bezel and hour markers rather than the lugs. The thulite face, a manganese-bearing variety of zoisite sometimes called Rosaline, has a rich fuchsia tone and endlessly fascinating inclusions, making each one unique
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128148RBR-0004 $62,705
A world away from the vivid pink but no less feminine in nature, the ref. 128148RBR comes with a cool mint green Amazonite stone dial and matching strap. Yellow gold again and with the same diamond haul, this has an overall relaxing freshness to the aesthetic and pairs flawlessly with a long hot summer
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128145RBR-0002 $64,700
A forest green version of the setup, the ref. 128415 has a Wyoming jade dial which, matched with the gold case, gives a luxuriously earthy feeling to the whole watch.
Wyoming jade is recognized as among the finest stones of its type in the world, renowned for its smooth texture, range of colors and durability. It has been prized by collectors ever since it was discovered in the Granite Mountains in 1936.
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128149RBR-0002 $64,700
The final piece on leather is a bit of a stunner.
The white gold case is home to a dark purple stone dial of crystallized lepidolite, a lithium-rich mica mineral often found in granite. Used in jewelry for cabochons or beads, it needs to set in quartz for watchmaking due to its extreme brittleness.
Its structure gives it a soft, scaly look and, on the ref. 128149RBR, beset on all sides by diamonds and set off by the deep lilac strap, it is the most brooding of the Stone Dial Collection.
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128238-0153 $73,175
Shifting gears slightly, the ref. 128238 is a far more subtle experience. Here we have an unadorned yellow gold case, with the dial a delicate pink Amazonite. The 10 hour markers are baguette-cut rubies and surrounding it is the traditional fluted gold bezel.
Unlike the others so far, this does everything but shout for attention. However, if you notice the prices, you will see that this piece, even with the complete absence of diamonds on the lugs or bezel, still comes in about $10k more. Which should give you a clue as to just how expensive President bracelets are.
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128235-0108 $76,600
All factors bar the case material here are identical to the reference above. But, due to the watch being made from Everose gold, it is the most expensive of the 36mm off-catalog models.
It’s a matter of taste which color you prefer. I personally like the yellow gold, as the pink in the dial negates much of the supposed brashness of the metal. But there’s no doubting the warmth of the Everose matches perfectly too, giving the watch as a whole an almost ethereal quality
The Rolex Day-Date ref. 128239-0083 $67,900
The final 36mm watch is undoubtedly my favorite. A bright and cheerful aspect, pairing white gold with a sky-blue turquoise dial lifts the entire visual. Couple all that with the inspired use of dark blue sapphire hour markers and you have possibly one of the most cohesive Presidents of recent times.
The Rolex Day-Date 40 ref. ref. 228235JG-0002 $57,000
Finally, the single 40mm outlier. And it, too, is something very special.
This is a reworking of the signature gold-on-gold, champagne-dialed Day-Date, a look which has become the watch’s trademark.
For this piece, though, Rolex has used its new Jubilee Gold alloy and combined it with a dial featuring a textured gold leaf motif.
The soft yellow/warm grey of the new gold—seen also this year on the green aventurine dial model—is a real triumph, enticing even those who would never normally dream of wearing a yellow gold watch. Together with the shimmering, frosted quality of the dial, this is a President for a whole new age.
Featured Photo: Mixed art by Oriol Mendivil for BKT Archive.
