The Watches and Wonders 2024 is still happening now! This time of year always sparks a flurry of excitement and speculation in the watch community. The two big questions on everyone's lips are: What new treasures has Rolex introduced in 2024? And equally intriguing, what has Rolex decided to discontinue?

Before this year's event, the rumor mill was abuzz, particularly about the Yacht Master 2's potential farewell due to its lackluster performance. The speculation turned out to be spot on. But the real jaw-dropper was the discontinuation of another model, freshly introduced in June 2023. It's like parting ways with a friend you've only just gotten to know.

The phase-out of a Rolex model transforms it from a mere timepiece to a sought-after collectible. These discontinued models step off the retail stage and onto the secondary market's spotlight, where their prices can soar to unexpected heights, driven by their new scarcity.

So, grab a comfortable seat, and let's embark on a journey to find out which Rolex watches were discontinued in 2024 and whether the discontinuation of Rolex models in 2024 was as big as the discontinuation in 2023.

The watch community's prediction about the discontinuation of the Yacht-Master 2 turned out to be accurate. It's a rare move for Rolex to retire an entire collection, and the Yacht-Master II's phase-out is particularly noteworthy given its unique and costly 4161 caliber, a standout not just in Rolex's lineup but in luxury watchmaking at large.

The Yacht-Master II is equipped with a programmable countdown regatta chronograph, a feature that is as innovative as it is specialized, operated through a combination of a crown, two pushers, and the Ring Command bezel. Despite a few updates over the years, including a shift to the “Professional” style hands, the collection has remained relatively unchanged, contributing to its status as an outlier within the brand.

The watch's niche complication, the "Regatta Chronograph," is designed for precise timing of regatta races, offering a level of specificity that hasn't captured the broader collector's interest. This feature, while technically impressive, has limited day-to-day practicality, contrasting with more universally appealing chronographs like the Rolex Daytona.

The discontinuation reflects Rolex's response to the watch's reception in the market, marking an end to a collection that, despite its technical marvels and unique features, remained on the periphery of the brand's mainstream appeal. This move might pave the way for future innovations, as Rolex continues to evolve its offerings.

If you check out our Instagram post about this discontinuation, you'll see many people commented, agreeing that these Rolex models apparently weren't appealing, with some even calling them the ugliest Rolex models.

Right from its release in June 2023, the Rolex Daytona "Le Mans" reference 126529LN was earmarked as an exceptionally collectible and rare piece, elusive even to the brand's VIP customers. 

Surprisingly, less than a year later, Rolex decided to discontinue this model, which had been in production only from June 2023 until April 2024. This particular Daytona, crafted in 18k white gold and featuring a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel with a distinctive red "100" marker, was created to commemorate the centenary of the Le Mans race.

The release of the Daytona "Le Mans" during the summer of 2023 was unexpected, particularly because it followed the major overhaul of the Daytona collection announced at Watches and Wonders 2023. Its introduction outside the typical release windows added to the industry's surprise. This special edition model, a rarity for Rolex, boasted a white gold case and bracelet with red accents, aligning with the Daytona's iconic color schemes and featuring a highly sought-after reverse-panda dial.

Despite its popularity and unique status as a special edition, Rolex has now discontinued the Daytona "Le Mans." This decision aligns with the watch's commemorative purpose, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans race—a milestone that is now in the past. 

As we move into 2024, the model returns in 18k yellow gold, marking a new chapter for this exceptional timepiece.

Once again, Rolex has decided to discontinue some of the more specialized models in the Datejust Collection. The collection, not as popular as Rolex's sport watches, has seen niche and textured dials that left many enthusiasts questioning their appeal and target audience.

The introduction of the fluted dial was met with mixed feelings, as some felt its design seemed outdated. The palm dial, on the other hand, didn't resonate well with younger watch enthusiasts, who weren't drawn to its "Retire in Florida" aesthetic. These dials were on the chopping block, making way for Rolex's newer, more playful and innovative dial designs that don't take themselves too seriously.

Among the Rolex watches discontinued in 2024are the Datejust models with Palm and Fluted dials. These pieces, known for their intricate laser-etched detailing, showcased a remarkable depth and interplay of light, demonstrating Rolex's manufacturing expertise. However, after a brief production run, these models are being retired, marking a shift in Rolex's design direction towards more modern and whimsical styles.