Rolex Wimbledon Watches

Rolex Wimbledon: Overview & Key Specifications

The Rolex Wimbledon is a specific style within the Datejust watch family. It is not a separate model like the Rolex Submariner or Rolex Daytona. In fact, it is the classic Datejust, featuring beautiful colors that evoke memories of grass courts and traditional scoreboards. The watch uses an Oyster case, which is famous for keeping water and dust out. The mixture of the dark grey face and the deep green outline on the numbers makes the Wimbledon model look different, and it depends on how the light hits the sunburst dial.

Model Description and Naming

The watch community and collectors have given the name “Wimbledon” to this model. The reason is very simple: the color scheme. The slate grey face shows the court surface or the slate roofs, and the green numerals are the exact shade of green found on the lawn courts of the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. Actually, the story started in 2003 when Rolex made this dial appear on the Datejust II watch.

However, it really became famous because of Roger Federer, who is the biggest legend in tennis and a Rolex ambassador. When he lifted the trophy in 2017 for his 8th title, and even when he was just watching games courtside in 2022, he often wore this exact dial. That’s the reason everyone calls it the Rolex Wimbledon dial.

Technical Specifications

Although the Rolex Wimbledon looks fancy, it is a beast inside. Here are the most important specs you get with modern models, particularly with reference “126” series.

• Movement: The model uses the Calibre 3235, which is a self-winding mechanical movement developed by Rolex. 
• Power Reserve: The Rolex Wimbledon watch has an excellent power reserve of 72 hours. 
• Precision: It is a Superlative Chronometer, which means after the movement is put in the case, Rolex tests it to ensure the accuracy is within -2/+2 seconds per day. 
• Water Resistance: The watch features the Twinlock double waterproof system, so you can swim with it up to 100 meters or 330 feet deep. 
• Crystal: It uses scratch-resistant sapphire. And of course, it has the Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock to make the date big and easy to read.
• Lume: The Chromalight display is only on the hands and the single baton marker at 9 o’clock. Remember, the Roman numerals do not glow in the dark. 

Main Variants

You have choices when buying a Rolex Wimbledon. Although the dial stays the same, which is grey and green, the rest of the watch changes based on your preferences. For instance, you can get this model in the classic Datejust 36 or the modern and larger Datejust 41. The old Datejust II also had this dial, but Rolex has discontinued that model now. When it comes to metals, the most popular is Oystersteel, which is an advanced stainless steel that resists corrosion and rust.

On the other hand, these watches also come in Rolesor (two-tone) metals that offer a more luxurious look. You can also find the Wimbledon watch in steel and yellow gold, or steel and Everose gold. Moreover, the bezel changes the look of the watch a lot. For example, the smooth bezel made of steel looks clean and sporty. The fluted bezel made of 18k gold, which is either white, yellow, or rose, shines a lot and looks very dressy.

You can find the Rolex Wimbledon with an Oyster bracelet that looks strong and sporty due to its three flat links. A Wimbledon watch with a Jubilee bracelet has five-piece links, which ensure comfort and hide scratches. But the most wanted combo is the Wimbledon on a Jubilee bracelet with a fluted bezel.

Rolex Wimbledon Prices: Retail vs Secondary Market

If you are in Dubai or shopping globally, you will see a huge difference between the retail and secondary market prices. The Rolex Wimbledon is in high demand, which means buying it at retail is very difficult.

Secondary Market Price Overview

You pay for the speed of getting the Rolex Wimbledon watch on the grey market, also called the secondary market. You don’t wait. The price depends on the condition, and if you have the full set, which includes the box and papers.

• A 36mm steel model reference 126200 on the secondary market has a price around AED 35,000. 
• Two-tone models are pricier. For instance, a 41mm Yellow Gold/Steel Rolesor has a price that can go up to AED 67,000. 
• The 41mm Steel with White Gold Fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet, such as the reference 126334, is very popular. So, expect to pay around AED 53,000 for this watch. And this is much higher than the retail price. 
• The slate dial is unique, and people can’t wait for 1 or 2 years on a list. That’s why the price is much higher than other models. 

Official Retail Price List

Buying from an Authorized Dealer is cheaper, but you need luck or a good purchase history. Here is an estimate of retail prices, and keep in mind that prices for Rolex watches can change. 

Rolex Wimbledon as an Investment

Yes, the Rolex Wimbledon is a good investment. Unlike the Rolex Daytona watches with prices going up and down drastically, the Datejust Wimbledon retains value steadily. So, it is less volatile. However, the liquidity factor is high. You can sell it easily because this is one of the most popular watches. If you need cash, a dealer will always buy a Wimbledon dial from you. Even used watches trade above their retail price thanks to the combination of the fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet, which retains the best value over time. Moreover, people associate this watch with Roger Federer and tennis. Thus, this makes people believe that the dial will remain desirable for decades.

Authenticity, Certification & Warranty

The Rolex Wimbledon watch has specific signs to look for when ensuring the watch is authentic: 

• The Green Seal: Every new Rolex comes with a green seal tag, which means it is a Superlative Chronometer with a 5-year guarantee. 
• The Warranty Card: The modern has an NFC chip inside. Although you can’t see it, dealers can scan it. The card is green and gold with raised text. 
• Laser Etched Crown: You will need a loupe to see the crystal at the 6 o’clock position. There is a tiny and very invisible Rolex crown laser-etched into the glass. 

Rolex Certified Pre-Owned (RCPO) is an important term to understand. Now, Rolex sells used watches too, and these come with a 2-year international guarantee and a special “Rolex Certified Pre-Owned” seal. So, this is the safest way to buy used Wimbledon watches. You can see the serial number engraved on the inner ring, also called the Rehaut, at 6 o’clock.