Feature: Rolex releases TOTALLY unexpected Daytona and more at Watches & Wonders
Amongst all the speculation about Rolex releases at Watches and Wonders, there can’t have been many people who predicted a platinum Daytona with an open caseback and a new movement. Rolex has also released a raft of other models at the event that will be the talk of the industry for weeks to come. Read on for some of the highlights…
Daytona in platinum with open caseback
This platinum Daytona—released in the year of the model’s 60th anniversary—is something very special, even for Rolex.
Yes, they’ve made minor adjustments to the case and dial (the most noticeable of which are the more slender hour markers), but the double “wow factor” here is the fact that it comes with an exhibition caseback, a first for a Rolex sports watch, and that the movement inside is brand-new: the 4131 being an updated version of the long-running 4030.
Rolex has even taken the opportunity to dress up the movement, giving it a hollowed out gold rotor and Geneva stripes—no utilitarian-looking calibre for this prestigious piece!
Other versions aren’t quite as attention grabbing, and have the regular closed caseback, but make no mistake, this is a major Rolex landmark that will have its fans dizzy with excitement.
But that’s not all…
Two new luxury GMT Master II models
Once a humble tool watch, the GMT-Master II seems to be ever inching towards being a true luxury piece, up there with the Day-Date. Possibly geared towards the uber-wealthy jet-setter, these two versions of this Rolex favourite—in two-tone Rolesor and yellow gold—come with matching Jubilee bracelets.
There’s also a brand-new bezel colour combination, black and grey, while the GMT hand is also in yellow gold. It’s not the first all-yellow-gold GMT Master Rolex has made but it is the first for a while.
Fans of the GMT-Master II with an unlimited budget are going to go wild for these ones.
The Day-Date has gone crazy
There are some who accuse Rolex of lacking the occasional creative flourish and playfulness displayed by other brands. They’ve answered this with the release of six new Day-Dates in some pretty crazy colour schemes.
Our favourite has to be the version in yellow-gold with a jigsaw-patterned enamel dial. Not only is it one of the most idiosyncratic dials Rolex has ever made, the day and date windows don’t actually reveal the day or the date.
Instead, you’re treated to “inspirational” words like “gratitude” and “peace” in the aperture at 12 o’clock, while beneath the cyclops window at 3 o’clock you’ll find a daily emoji, such as a heart icon, smiley face and the "Mercedes" sign found on the hour hand of Rolex sport models. Yes, Rolex watches displaying emojis! This isn’t a joke, apparently.
For those whose budget doesn’t stretch to a Day-Date, Rolex has also released an Oyster Perpetual with a “celebration” dial featuring a colourful “bubbles” design (basically a load of circles in all of the Oyster Perpetual dial colours). It comes in a 31, 36 or 41mm case size, so it’s suitable for all wrists.
This, then, is Rolex in full-on circus mode. Is it a stroke of genius or has the Crown totally lost the plot? You decide!
Goodbye, Cellini. Hello, the 1908
Sitting at the dressier end of Rolex’s catalogue, the new 1908 range offers a collection of four minimalist timepieces.
The name ‘1908’ is, of course, a reference to the date the Rolex trademark was officially registered in Switzerland. These new watches may look familiar; that’s because the 1908 is the new revamped Cellini collection, and we think it’s about time Rolex paid some more attention to its dress watch offering.
Inspired by an Oyster Perpetual from 1931, the new 1908 line is endowed with modernity. Featuring an 18k yellow-gold or white-gold case and an understated dial with Arabic numerals at 12, 3 and 9 o’clock, this is one elegant Rolex, whatever colour combination you go for. The classic fluted bezel found on original Cellini models remains on the 1908—a welcome addition. Each piece comes with a black or brown alligator leather strap with new Dualclasp technology that offers enhanced comfort by adapting to the shape of the wrist.
Possibly the most interesting addition of all, though, is the exhibition caseback, something that until this year was very rare for Rolex to include on its models, focusing more on function over aesthetics. Through this open caseback, you can get a glimpse of the entirely new in-house self-winding 7140 calibre, with a cut-out oscillating weight in 18k yellow-gold and Côtes de Genève decoration. It also offers a power reserve of around 66 hours.
All in all, this is an exciting release from Rolex that is set to give a second wind to its dress watch offering.
