I have always regarded 36‑mm men’s watches as a somewhat niche size. This case diameter was popular back in the middle of the last century, and today only a handful of brands including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Jaeger‑LeCoultre and Vacheron‑Constantin release new models in this dimension. Rolex alone possesses the market‑shaping influence to set trends. If Rolex launches a watch, it becomes fashionable. A perfect example is the recent 36 mm stainless‑steel smooth‑bezel Datejust reference 126200, known as the Green Palm.
Green dials are already a hit for Rolex, yet this model went one step further with engraved green leaf motifs on its dial, delivering a rainforest‑inspired mint‑toned aesthetic. The watch instantly became a huge talking‑point within watch‑collector circles. Enthusiasts even gave it playful nicknames. Hype inevitably drove up demand. Its retail price was reasonably affordable at just over 60,000, yet resale prices peaked as high as 110,000.

It is hard to imagine such a large premium for a 36‑mm Datejust, and this power stems purely from the brand’s market appeal. Once the Green Palm had boosted overall interest in the Datejust line, Rolex quickly followed‑up with additional palm‑motif variants: the Silver Palm and Golden Palm. VS‑Factory has begun production with the most sought‑after version, the Green Palm.

Apart from this green‑palm variant, more conservative buyers may choose from the other colour options shown in the pictures below.

Rolex introduces very few changes to the designs and styling of its watches. Guided by its brand philosophy, the watch functions and case‑shape are largely “locked‑in” and rarely undergo major revisions. Apart from making a watch instantly recognisable as a Rolex, this consistency greatly benefits long‑term owners, since these timepieces hardly ever feel outdated. By contrast, Omega offers such a dizzying variety of dial colours and case‑size combinations that new variants appear constantly, rendering existing models old‑fashioned in as little as six months.

The palm‑leaf dial represents a surprisingly bold design breakthrough. It can be seen as another major advancement following last year’s hugely‑successful Oyster‑Perpetual collection with ceramic dials. The dial pattern is created using femtosecond laser engraving technology, which boasts precision comparable to that of femtosecond laser eye‑surgery. Engraving accuracy reaches one‑thousandth of a millimetre.

I had always assumed these special‑edition dials would first appear on the higher‑volume 41 mm versions. Curiously, however, the green‑palm dial is exclusive to the 36 mm size. This neutral‑sized release signals Rolex’s clear determination to revive popularity for the 36‑millimetre case. Many watch enthusiasts across online forums have followed this trend and begun collecting 36 mm timepieces.

All of the above covers the dial design and Rolex’s market direction. There are not many extra details to mention about this VS‑Factory replica. The most exciting upgrade is that the highly‑reliable Dandong‑made clone 3235 movement with a 70‑hour power reserve has been fitted inside the 36 mm case. Its finish and craftsmanship are identical to the 41 mm version, further strengthening its market position among replica Rolex models. Hardly any new points need to be covered. You may refer to all the detailed reviews of the 41 mm variant, since this watch is essentially just a scaled‑down edition.

Its luminous performance is roughly as strong as that of the Submariner. When briefly shielded from natural light, the blue luminescence glows visibly. In addition, the Datejust maintains a relatively high‑bar water‑resistance rating. Now that international travel has resumed, why not take this Green Palm watch with you to explore the rainforests and beaches of Southeast Asia?

This article has gone into considerable detail covering the watch’s origin, Rolex’s market strategy and its peak resale premium. While you wear this replica watch, we hope you can also learn background knowledge about this collection. At the very least, you will be able to explain its story when other people ask, gaining useful insight alongside your enjoyment of the watch.