
The Most Popular Vintage UK Best Fake Rolex Watches Models On Chrono24
21st October 2025Modern or vintage? This is maybe one of the best icebreaker questions among cheap rolex replica watches enthusiasts. There are countless reasons why vintage is the only thing that counts for some, while others fiercely defend the advantages of modern models. But the vintage boom is not an isolated phenomenon only among watches. A look at fashion or furniture reveals the same trend: more and more people seem to be looking for objects with character and history, not just pristine new goods. The annual ThredUp Resale Report, for example, predicts that the global second-hand market for fashion will grow twice as fast as traditional retail by 2027. A look at Google Trends also reveals that terms such as vintage watches, vintage Rolex, or vintage furniture have been recording a steady increase in search interest for some time.
Why do collectors choose vintage over new?
On the one hand, the zeitgeist plays a role: in a world characterized by fast fashion and an oversupply of products and marketing messages, the longing for authenticity and individuality is growing. Brands and influencers are seizing on this promise and communicating it specifically to watch fans via vintage models. There are also very practical reasons: Vintage top Rolex fake watches UK in particular are often more readily available than current models, which are still subject to (sometimes long) waiting times at the dealer. Although the situation on the market has eased somewhat, it remains unrealistic to expect to simply stroll into a Rolex dealer and pop back out with a Submariner or Datejust on your wrist. Prices are a factor as well: A Datejust 16014 from the 1980s is often significantly cheaper than its current counterpart, which today starts at a list price of around $8,600. There are also emotional reasons: For many enthusiasts, a “birth year watch” is an absolute must-have in their collection. Others are specifically looking for a reference worn in films by the likes of James Bond or prominent style icons like Marlon Brando. And let’s not forget that value retention also plays a role – many vintage Rolex models have proven to be stable collector’s items over decades. They convey a sense of security – after all, these models are no longer manufactured.
A Market Overview On Chrono24
We looked at the listings on Chrono24 to find the most popular vintage Rolex models. There are currently over 39,743 listings online in the “Vintage” category. When filtered to include buy Rolex copy watches, more than 10,000 remain – almost a quarter of the vintage watches on Chrono24. The variety is very impressive here. From the sporty Submariner to the elegant Day-Date, every Rolex lover will find what they’re looking for. We’re focusing on the most popular reference per model line for our following top 5. The five most popular models on Chrono24 are:
- Rolex Day-Date 36 ref. 18238
- Submariner ref. 5513
- Datejust 36 ref. 16233
- GMT-Master Ref. 1675
- Oysterdate ref. 6694
The Five Most Popular Vintage Rolex Models In Detail
Rolex Day-Date 36 Ref. 18238 – The Presidential Model
The Day-Date 18238, also known as the “President,” currently has 345 listings on Chrono24. The model stands out with its all-gold case, President bracelet, and the famous dial with the day of the week fully written out at the 12 o’clock position. Since the 1950s, the best clone Rolex Day-Date watches has been a symbol of power, success, and prestige. No other watch has been seen as often on the wrists of politicians, business leaders, and celebrities as the Day-Date. The ref. 18238, produced from around the late 1980s, even then featured a modern automatic movement with a quickset feature and sapphire crystal – in other words, luxury with pleasant everyday practicality in a classic 36-mm case. It feels like anyone looking for a classic Day-Date will almost automatically end up with this reference.
Rolex Submariner Ref. 5513 – The Icon
With 424 listings, the Submariner 5513 is a popular timepiece on Chrono24. This watch was produced from 1962 to around 1989. Probably no other watch embodies the image of the diver’s watch as authentically as the 5513. With 200 meters (20 bar, 656 feet) of water resistance, a classic 40-mm case, and the characteristic rotating bezel, it is a true tool watch that has long since become a style statement. And vintage models in particular make it clear that through all of their discoloration and wear and tear, the Swiss replica Rolex Submariner watches is and remains a genuine tool watch. The dial variants are particularly exciting: From the early gilt dials to the famous maxi dials, the 5513 has many facets that drive collectors wild. And then there’s of course James Bond: Sean Connery wore a Submariner ref. 6538 in the film Dr. No. For many, the 5513 is the epitome of sex appeal when it comes to vintage Rolex models.
Rolex Datejust 36 ref. 16233
Hardly any other watch embodies the Rolex style as perfectly as the Datejust 16233. Its stainless steel case, often combined with a fluted bezel and a Jubilee bracelet in yellow gold are almost too much of a cliché, and still the perfect blend of everyday practicality, elegance, and prestige. The classic champagne dial with Roman numerals is particularly popular, even while this reference offers countless variations and colors. As mentioned, it’s also the price that can make vintage watches attractive. While a new 1:1 fake Rolex Datejust 36 watches costs well over $7,000 today, the Ref. 16233 can often be found for considerably less on Chrono24.
Rolex GMT-Master Ref. 1675 – The Globetrotter
The Swiss movement copy Rolex GMT-Master 1675 watches is one of the most sought-after vintage references ever. Introduced in 1959, it was the watch for pilots and jet-setters for decades. Of course, this watch is particularly legendary thanks to its two-tone bezel in blue and red, which makes it easier to read a second time zone, and gives the watch its “Pepsi” nickname. Another reason for its popularity is of course Hollywood. Marlon Brando, for example, wore a GMT-Master 1675 in “Apocalypse Now.” And the GMT-Master Pepsi also quickly achieved icon status on the wrists of real pilots and globetrotters thanks to Rolex’s cooperation with Pan Am to create this timepiece. Collectors particularly love the variety of differently aged colors of the dials, which means that each piece tells its own story while always remaining immediately recognizable
Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref. 6694 – The Insider Tip?
The high quality clone Rolex Oysterdate Precision ref. 6694 watches currently ranks just behind the Day-Date in terms of availability. It is one of the longest-produced Rolex references – from around the 1960s to the 1980s – and one of the few Rolex watches with a hand-wound movement. Its understated 34-mm case makes it almost a vintage statement for purists and collectors who have an eye for something other than the obvious choice. Precisely because it is not a typical status symbol, the 6694 has its own charm. It offers classic Rolex DNA, reliability, and often attractive prices. For newcomers to the world of vintage Rolex models, it may very well be a real insider tip
Final Thoughts
The best-selling vintage Rolex models on Chrono24 reflect the entire range of the brand: from the elegant Datejust, to the sporty Submariner and GMT-Master, to the prestigious Day-Date, all the way to the simple, functional Oysterdate. All of these timepieces stand for Rolex design, reliability, and the history of possibly the most stable watch brand in the world. This makes the vintage market attractive to many perfect Rolex replica watches enthusiasts.