Large Rolex Watches

Rolex watches stay true to their designs for decades; but they also never fall behind when it comes to watch trends. As “oversized” watches infiltrated the market and the average watch size gradually increased, Rolex successfully adapted.

Rolex continued to produce classics like the Datejust and the Submariner in traditional sizes of 36 and 40mm; all while developing larger designs like the Yacht-Master II, Explorer II, and Datejust 41.

When the Rolex Yacht-Master II was launched in 2007, it was truly a different breed. At 44mm, not only was it much larger than the traditional Rolex, it was also technically unique.

The Yacht-Master II is a flyback, regatta timer, specifically created for timing countdown intervals of one to ten minutes. It debuted Rolex’s Ring Command Bezel system, which allows the wearer to set the countdown using the bezel — a feature that would also later be used in the Rolex Sky-Dweller.

The Yacht-Master II is available in 18k yellow gold, 18k Everose gold, and stainless steel, 18k white gold with platinum, and stainless steel.

Launched in 2008, the Rolex Seadweller Deepsea is still the largest watch in the Rolex portfolio. While it has the same case size as the Yacht-Master II, it has a much thicker Oyster case, in order to accomodate the Ringlock System – a central ring that supports its extra-thick sapphire crystal and titanium caseback. All these features give the Deepsea an amazing water resistance of 3,900 meters or 12,800 feet.

Rolex Seadweller (43mm)

In 2017, Rolex launched an updated version of its saturation dive watch, the Sea-Dweller. From its 40mm case, the Sea-Dweller now measures 43mm. This move distinguishes it from Rolex’s classic dive watch, the Submariner, and also provides another option for those who want larger dive watches.

The Rolex Explorer II was first launched in 1971; and it has seen many iterations since. Its latest incarnation is the reference 216570, which comes in a generous 42mm case.

Launched in 2011, the 216570’s new size also came with corresponding updates: a “Maxi Dial” with larger hand and lume plots for greater legibility, a synthetic sapphire crystal, and a bright orange 24-hour hand, reminiscent of the hour hand on the original 1970’s Explorer.

Launched in 2012, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is the brand’s most complex watch. The 42mm watch has GMT / dual time zone complications and annual calendar features, meaning it can simultaneously show the local time, a second time zone, the month, and the date. The generous case size allows the Sky-Dweller to display all these on an organized dial.

For years, Rolex has provided the dual time zone functionality with the GMT-Master. What sets the Sky-Dweller apart, aside from the annual calendar feature are its design cues. The GMT-Master is decidedly more sporty and in line with Rolex’s tool watches, while the Sky-Dweller is a dressy design, taking its cues from the Datejust and Day-Date.

Launched in 1945, the Rolex Datejust was exclusively offered with a 36mm case for over 60 years. This changed in 2009 when Rolex introduced the Datejust II, which measured 41mm. The Datejust II was discontinued in 2016, and was replaced with the current Datejust 41. While it kept the larger case size, Rolex made the Datejust 41 more refined, with a slimmer case, thinner bezel, and leaner lugs. It also comes with a new generation movement, the caliber 3235, which extends its power reserve to 70 hours.

In 2008, Rolex also updated the Day-Date to 41mm, with the now discontinued Day-Date II. With the larger case size and heftier proportions, it was seen as a sportier version of the classic 36mm Day-Date. Just like the Datejust II, it was later replaced with the Day-Date 40 — a larger version of the Day-Date, but with a tapered case design and the next generation caliber 3255.