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The Low-Cost 2-Tone Rolex to Watch For

   February 27, 2026  Posted in Money, News

24, 2026 12:30 pm EST

Several Rolex watches on display in a storesaeid poorat/Shutterstock

Okay, so Rolex watches can seem pretty out of reach for most folks. But the truth is, Rolex pricing is pretty dynamic – you can find pieces ranging from a few thousand bucks all the way up to hundreds of thousands. The rare, in-demand models are the pricey ones, while certain classic Rolexes are actually quite affordable.

Two-tone Rolex watches have a fancy, timeless look that might make you think they’re super expensive. But one particular model, the Rolex Datejust ref. 16013, is surprisingly affordable. According to the experts, this Datejust 36 has a market price of around $5,400, and you can even find them listed online for as low as $4,800. That’s way cheaper than other two-tone Rolex models like the Submariner ref. 16613, which costs almost double at over $10,000.

The Datejust 36 has been around since 1945 and features the classic date window at 3 o’clock with a Cyclops magnifier. It’s got the signature Oyster case in stainless steel and yellow gold, plus a Jubilee bracelet. The case size is a modest 36mm wide and 11.5mm thick, with a Plexiglass crystal, automatic caliber 3035 movement, and time plus quickset date functions. You can find dial options in metal, champagne, silver, white, black, and dark blue.

Why the Datejust 36 model is so affordable

Rolex datejust 36 ref. 16013 on a wooden tableTobias A Dahlberg/Shutterstock

The Datejust 36 ref. 16013 is affordable not because there’s something wrong with it, but because it’s been around for a while. This model was first introduced in 1977 and produced until 1988, so there are plenty of them available on the market. That competitive supply is why the pricing is so reasonable.

Plus, the Datejust line just doesn’t have the same level of demand and appeal as some other Rolex models, like the iconic Submariner or the GMT-Master. The Datejust is seen more as a classic, traditional watch, while the sports models are viewed as specialized tools. Things like the Submariner’s waterproof case or the GMT’s ability to track two time zones keep those models in high demand and fetch higher resale prices.

Another factor is the condition of the vintage Datejust 16013 watches. Since they’ve been around for decades, finding a completely brand-new one is pretty rare. Most of the ones you’ll find on the market are pre-owned, sometimes with some wear and tear on the bracelet or mixed service histories, which affects the price.

Author: John Meyer