Rolex Novelties for 2020

Colour me happy.

Writer Claudia Cusano

Rolex fever is at a high pitch. This year, the is-it-on or is-it-not-on Baselworld (the show was cancelled and has since been transformed) coupled with the pandemic delayed the release of the Rolex novelties for 2020. Like every year, there were plenty predictions of what may be; what is, are four new tickers by the marque.

While the highlight, unarguably, is the enlarged no-date Submariner with calibre 3230, the Oyster Perpetual collection (first introduced in 1926) has been revamped, and, notably, a new 41mm version—in a silver or black dial—has ousted the 39mm one. Colour is the order of the day for its smaller sibling, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36, with lacquer dials in shades of candy pink, yellow, green, coral red, and turquoise. The Oyster Perpetual is a classic, easily worn by many, and the entry-level price point at $6,550 makes it one of its most popular.

The new Sky-Dweller on Oysterflex bracelet (left) and 41mm no-date Submariner (right).

In the beloved Datejust line (the first self-winding waterproof wristwatch to display the date at 3 o’clock), the newness also comes in the form of colour. The new Rolesor Datejust 31mm (in Oystersteel and 18-karat white gold) features a diamond-set bezel and an aubergine-coloured dial. Finally, the Sky-Dweller, Rolex’s leading aviation piece, dons an Oysterflex bracelet and Glidelock extension that allows for easy resizing in testing environments (think skydiving).

All models are intended to be “commercially available” this month. One Vancouver retailer had a torrent of calls querying availability mere hours after the September 1 novelties announcement. Seems Christmas has come early.