Rolex have always followed the pattern of in with the new, out with the old and 2023 is no different. Just as they launch their latest collections and updated models, a whole swathe of watches find themselves out of production and discontinued. Here is every watch Rolex has discontinued in 2023.
Daytona Ref. 116500LN, 116503, 116508, 116518LN, 116509, 116519LN, 116505, 116515LN, 116506
Ref. 116500LN
Kicking of the discontinuations are a host of Daytona references, in fact ever single pre-2023 edition of the iconic racing chronograph has been shelved. However, this is not the end of the Daytona, far from it in fact, as the old models have simply been replaced by the new 2023 collection.
Ref. 116506
Ref. 116508
Ref. 116518LN
There are some notable departures though. The meteorite dial versions and “John Mayer” green colourway have no counterparts in the updated collection and so those truly are disappearing. However, considering that the modern Daytona is back to the essentials, there is a lot of room for growth and new colourways over the coming years. Expect to be reading headlines along the lines of “Meteorite Dials Return to Daytona” by 2026.
Sky-Dweller Ref. 326933, 326934, 326938, 326238, 326932, 326235
Ref. 326934
Ref. 326235
Ref. 326938
The story with the Sky-Dweller is the same as that of the Daytona. As the updated collection takes a step forward, the existing models move to the rear. However, unlike the Daytona, the majority of Sky-Dweller colourways find no replacement in the new editions. The blue dial option, the yellow gold editions and several black dial variations are all going away.
Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535
The discontinuation of the Cellini Moonphase Ref. 50535 strikes me as odd. Not the fact that it has been discontinued, but the fact that it wasn’t discontinued last year when 95% of the remaining Cellini collection was retired. This was the sole Cellini in the Rolex catalogue last year and now it too is gone.
However, while the Cellini name is now completely gone, its spirit has been reborn in the form of a new collection called the Perpetual 1908. The Cellini’s dress watch style, gold cases and elegant dials all find a home in the 1908. Although we’ve yet to see a complication model like the Moonphase and it’s as yet uncertain if such a watch may follow in time.
Milgauss Ref. 116400GV
The fact that the Milgauss has been discontinued is not a surprise. In fact, many people in the industry have been saying for years that the Milgauss has teetered on the edge of the chopping block. However, every single time anyone hinted that this might be the case they were quick to add that this would be so that a new, updated Milgauss could take its place. But this is not the case, the Milgauss is simply gone and no replacement is forthcoming.
More details at Rolex.
