Rolex Unveils New Models for 2023

In the lead-up to Watches and Wonders there is always plenty of anticipation about what Rolex, also known as the green giant, will release. The company is notoriously secretive about their releases, keeping their novelties under guarded lock until the moment the embargo lifts. There are always plenty of predictions put out from plenty of watch blogs and many claim to have leaks in social media posts, but these are often hopeful releases from those penning the lists. But when Rolex posted an Instagram reel less than a week in advance of Watches and Wonders, the predictions only intensified. Today, on the first day of Watches and Wonders, the Swiss king of watchmaking announced their time tellers for the year. And for one particular model, there has been plenty of polarizing chatter.

Oyster Perpetual

This is one watch nobody predicted. The eye-popping colours and design of the Oyster Perpetual “Celebration” watch has generated a particular level of heat. The 31mm, 36mm, and 41mm case sizes have been introduced in various candy-coloured dials: turquoise, pink, yellow, coral red, and green and each is decked with multicoloured bubbles that just put you in a party mood. Some love it, others loathe it. But no matter what side of the fence you are on, there is no doubt this timepiece will have a list longer than the brand can fill.

Cosmograph Daytona

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the emblematic model, Rolex celebrates with a new-generation Cosmograph Daytona range. And while the new looks like the old, it is decidedly different. Dubbed “an icon defying time” by the Swiss watchmaker, the collection gets an updated dial with a new graphic balance, as well as resized indices and counter rings. Available in a range of builds from yellow gold, Everose gold, Oystersteel to platinum, the highlight is the platinum version. With an ice-blue dial, the watch bears the first transparent caseback of a Daytona exposing the new chronograph movement, calibre 4131 with up to 72 hours of power reserve.

Perpetual 1908

Classic and contemporary, the Perpetual 1908 is understated elegance. Its name is an homage to the year Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf came up with the term “Rolex” and registered the brand in Switzerland. With the Perpetual 1908, Rolex is launching its new Perpetual collection. In a 39mm polished finish in 18-karat yellow or white gold, the timepiece is offered in a white or black dial. This is Rolex, dressy.

Yacht-Master 42

This nautical watch is reinterpreted yet again and this time in a titanium alloy called RLX titanium. The 42mm satin-finish Yacht-Master is fitted with a bidirectional and rotatable bezel complete with Cerachrom inserts in a matte black ceramic. The watch is equipped with calibre 3235, a perpetual, mechanical, and self-winding movement that powers for up to 70 hours.

GMT-Master II

Rolex introduces two new versions of the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, arriving in a 18-karat yellow gold as well as a yellow Rolesor version with a Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic, a new colour combination. Both are driven by Rolex’s own 3265 calibre with a bidirectional self-winding function and fitted exclusively on the Jubilee bracelet. This novelty does feel like an obvious release, but nothing is ever a sure bet with Rolex.

Sky Dweller

The Sky Dweller is a trusted companion for world travellers as this timepiece operates between two time zones, and is powered by the new-generation 9002 calibre. The new editions are offered in 18-karat white gold on an Oystersteel bracelet with mint green dial, a radiant-blue-green dial solely for the Everose gold reference, and the white gold/black dial on an Oysterflex bracelet, made from elastomer.

Explorer 40

The Explorer range has expanded with this new 40mm model. This Explorer 40, like the Explorer 36, is faithful to the original model launched in 1953 after the first successful summit of Mount Everest. The indices and hands are integrated with a Chromalight display that emits a long-lasting blue glow in low-light conditions. Essentially, what has changed on this model is the size, as the calibre is still 3230.

Day-Date

Of the new variants of the Day-Date 36, the most noteworthy is the jigsaw puzzle motif dial with champlevé enamelling available in yellow gold, white gold, and Everose. The watch displays inspiration keywords at the 12 o’clock display—Happy, Eternity, Gratitude, Peach, Faith, Love, and Hope—and 31 emojis in place of the date at 3 o’clock. The hours are marked by baguette-cut sapphires in various hues. As per Rolex, this is “time stamped with emotion.”