One Of The Cheapest Rolex Watches Features A Timeless Design Without The Painful Price Tag

There's a misconception that you have to be a millionaire, or at least very wealthy, to own a Rolex. In reality, the average income of Rolex watch owners in 2023 ranged between $100,000 to $150,000. While the low-end of that range is almost double the median income of a full-time worker in 2025, it does prove that many above average salary earners — with a few extra thousand dollars to spare — can own a piece from Switzerland's most renowned watchmaking brand. 

One of the more attainable Rolex model lines is known as the Datejust. First introduced in 1945 to mark Rolex's 40th anniversary, it was the first self-winding wristwatch to feature an automatically changing date window at the 3 o'clock position. But, what really makes the Datejust special is how little it has changed since 1945 — it retains the same famous Rolex all-occasion Oyster case, sealed with a screw-down crown and a signature Cyclops magnifying lens (in the 1954 models and later) — all framed in a fluted, smooth, or gem-set bezel. Many enthusiasts agree that it still looks good even today, and this has given the watch a timeless allure.

You can find Datejust watches for under $5,000 on the secondary market. Of course, this largely depends on how old the watch is and what specific type of Datejust model is for sale. While the design of the watch has mostly stayed the same, older and more worn models could be cheaper. Finding a used one, in acceptable condition, could save you from spending $10,000 or more on a brand-new Datejust timepiece.

When trying to save money while buying a Datejust, you need to consider what kind of models are available. Historically, this model line doesn't have that many variations. There is the original 1945 model with a 36mm case in yellow gold on a Jubilee bracelet, then the Cyclops date-magnification lens was added in 1954, followed by the introduction of the 26mm Lady-Datejust line in 1957. In the 1960s and 1970s, Rolex also added the mid-sized 31mm version and the "quickset" date feature that let you set the date independently of the time.

This information is important because saving money on the used market means you'll likely be shopping for models from the 20th-century, as newer ones will almost certainly be more expensive. For instance, a 20th century Lady-Datejust can sell for under $2,500 if you don't mind an older, fairly used piece. The same applies to the 31mm Datejust, which can sometimes be found for under $3,500. 

On the other hand, the standard 36mm men's model is usually more expensive than the rest, with many offerings within the $3,500 to $5,000 range, per listings on Chrono24. However, if you don't mind forgoing the manufacturer-fitted strap, or some specific paperwork like ownership logs and polishing receipts, you could possibly find one for under $3,500. These used Datejusts may not be as budget friendly as something like Timex Legacy's under $200 answer to the Rolex Day-Date or even Seiko's alternative to the Rolex Submariner, but you can still find a more affordable price on an all-purpose Rolex for a fraction of what they typically go for.