rolex oyster yacht master 42

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Introducing The Rolex Yacht-Master 42 In White Gold (Live Pics & Pricing)

Matte black bezel. need i say more.

From a distance, you'd be forgiven for not even realizing that this watch is a new introduction to Rolex's collection. I mean, it looks so much like something that could have been in the catalog for decades, but it's actually as fresh as it gets. This is the first 42mm time-and-date Yacht-Master, offering a larger option for those who still find 40mm too conservative, and it comes with a sleek combination of a black dial and an unbelievable bezel made of white gold with a matte black Cerachrom insert. The markings on that insert are raised and polished and the result is totally stunning. Inside is the caliber 3235, which is Rolex's most state-of-the-art, time-and-date movement. It uses the Chronergy high-efficiency escapement and is regulated to a crazy +2/-2 seconds per day. If you liked the Everose gold Yacht-Master introduced back in 2015 but wanted something bigger and sleeker (and somehow even more reliable), your prayers have been answered.

The Yacht-Master line can be a bit confusing, even for people who know their Rolex references backwards and forwards. First off, like with the Explorer, there's a standard Yacht-Master (which is what you're looking at here) and a Yacht-Master II (which is 44mm and has a regatta timer complication). As far as the simpler time-and-date models go, there are now three sizes: 37mm, 40mm, and 42mm. There are a mix of metal configurations, including steel and platinum, steel and Everose gold, all Everose gold, and now all white gold. And don't even get me started on the various incarnations of the Oyster bracelet and Oysterflex bracelet that you can choose from.

For me, the new Yacht-Master 42, despite adding a bunch of new options to the mix, is the purest expression of the model yet. The white gold case is luxe and hefty while still giving off the appearance of being a hearty tool watch, the matte black bezel is straight-up mean looking, and the Oysterflex bracelet is practical and casual. This is a watch for someone who wants to look low-key but likes things just so. And I can squarely get behind that.

Brand: Rolex Model: Yacht-Master 42 Reference Number: 226659

Diameter: 42mm Case Material: 18k white gold Dial Color: Black Indexes: Applied white gold and Chromalight Lume: Chromalight on hands and hour markers Water Resistance: 100 meters Strap/Bracelet: Oysterflex bracelet with white gold Oysterlock clasp

Caliber: 3235 Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Diameter: 28.5mm Power Reserve: 70 hours Winding: Automatic Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph) Jewels: 31 COSC Chronometer Certified Additional Details: Regulated to +2/-2 seconds per day, utilizes Chronergy escapement

Price: $27,800 Availability: Later this year

For more click here.

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Why the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 Is the Perfect Poster Boy for a New Age

The watch industry is always changing, always evolving, always reacting to the conditions of the world. But some things seem eternal. Through good times and bad, one brand has, since its foundation in 1905, seemed immune to weakness. A history of constant innovation and textbook PR has resulted in a Rolex watch becoming one of the most desirable products in the world, and the brand name that is easily one of the most recognizable.

To establish the kind of reputation Rolex has, you have to do things differently. You also have to be ahead of the curve. Rolex has done that with aplomb in the past, and by carefully controlling the supply of steel watches, while moving the brand forward in a slightly different direction through the release of some headline-grabbing pieces at this year’s Baselworld (including the new Rolex Yacht-Master 42), Rolex is continuing to map its own destiny.

It didn’t begin with the renaissance of Tudor, but that event in 2007 now looks in retrospect to be the beginning of a transformation that elevated Rolex from a brand to some kind of looming deity. Simply put, Tudor is the new Rolex, and Rolex is a new thing entirely. When I speak to brand managers the world over (many of whom are trembling and sleep-deprived as the struggle to conceive strategies to lever attention away from the Crown) they all say the same thing in one way or another.

Rolex is no longer a brand; Rolex is a phenomenon. Trying to go toe-to-toe with Rolex is like boxing with your reflection, or shooting at smoke. It’s a fight you can’t win. It isn’t about the fact your opponent is stronger than you, it’s about the fact that your opponent is fighting on a different plane of existence entirely.

For three years I managed the sales accounts of a well-known German brand across 17 countries. Despite the vastly differing cultures, tastes, and consumer motivations, the presence and adulation of Rolex were ever-present. The power of the Crown is never more felt than when trying to negotiate space in a retail environment for the product of another brand.

For example, I once asked a retailer if I could commandeer thirty centimeters of unused counter space in his store. His face screwed up instantly as if suddenly overtaken by a crippling bout of indigestion. “Well,” he said through gritted teeth, “I’ll have to check with Rolex.”

Duly, he made the call. The answer came back as predicted.

“No,” he said, unable to make eye-contact with me. “Rolex wants that space now.”

I had offered him a full collection of watches with an extended payment terms so he could get the models into his store and test the water before making a significant financial investment. In contrast, Rolex had offered him one GMT Master II “Batman” (on the professional bracelet, not the Jubilee). The choice, for him, was simple. The “Batman” was already sold. It was money in the bank. And his relationship with Rolex – the lifeblood of his livelihood – was intact.

Trying to build a brand next to Rolex is like growing a tree in the shadow of a mountain. It’s not impossible, but there isn’t much light left to go around.

That kind of power is hard to contend with. Rolex has cultivated it over generations. One way in which they’ve managed this is to have been a tireless inventor. The brand’s watches have always been innovative and eminently practical. With every stone turned over in search of incremental gains, Rolex even changed the type of steel it uses in the production of its watches because it could.

Rolex uses 904L, while most of the industry uses 316L stainless steel. Most notable is 904L’s higher molybdenum content, which reduces the chance that the steel will pit or corrode. Although this kind of benefit is the sort of thing you might imagine other brands trying to cash in on, it isn’t that simple. 904L stainless steel is notoriously difficult to work with. Not only do you need special tools to cut it, you also need to be patient as it has an annoying tendency to overheat while being machined. This means manufacturers using 904L must be patient to avoid it blowing up (almost literally) in their faces.

Despite its foibles, Rolex’s first use of 904L steel was in a 1988 Sea-Dweller, and its collection-wide adoption of it in 2003 has been one of the brand’s calling cards. It makes perfect sense for a rugged sports watch brand that is hell-bent on improving the performance of its products. But the thing is, Rolex is changing. Rolex, for all its insistence that it is still a brand built around endeavor and adventure, is transitioning into something else, and its special steel (Oystersteel as they’ve started calling it since 2018) is no longer as central to the brand’s image as it once was.

Around the time of the Tudor rebrand (2007), you could still buy a Rolex no-date Submariner for around four and a half grand. Today the price is double that. Even adjusting for inflation won’t make you feel much better about not loading up on Submariners when you had the chance to get them for a relative song.

But crazier than the current retail prices is the current availability. In 2007, you could walk into a store and buy a green dial, green bezel Rolex Submariner “Hulk” out of the cabinet. If you had the money, you could get the watch. Waiting lists, enforced scarcity, and secondary market prices double the ticket just didn’t exist like they do today. Now, finding a retailer that has a professional model in stock is harder than finding a hen with teeth.

Tudor, meanwhile, has remained very fairly priced. With all the benefits of Rolex’s know-how and freedom to reinvent the brand, Tudor has carved its own niche with its own audience. It is, almost without a doubt, the Rolex of its generation.

Its savvy marketing campaign, excellent build quality, and never-overstated connection to the industry’s Big Brother has made it a hit with the customers discovering the industry for the first time. The Pelagos and Black Bay watches of today will likely be future classics in the way the Submariners and the Datejusts of old are today.

But since Rolex became an industry super-power, removed from the regular concerns of watch companies, it needed a new champion, a poster boy for a new age, a darling that is at once everything Rolex was and everything it is going to be…

The Rolex Yacht-Master 42

The stage could not have been more perfectly set for the release of the Rolex Yacht-Master 42 ref. 226659 at this year’s Baselworld. With its white gold case, simple black dial, matte black Cerachrom bezel, and black Oysterflex rubber strap, it is the epitome of stealth luxury. It also happens to be just about the most hypnotic black/black diver on a rubber band that anyone could imagine.

Why is the Yacht-Master 42 so perfect for this new age? Well, its a barrel load of contradictions packed into a 42mm case. But those contradictions are what make Rolex the brand it is these days. They are what makes it so hard to copy what the brand does. Because, on paper, it just doesn’t add up.

For all intents and purposes, the Yacht-Master 42 is a sports watch. And yet it’s not. Not really – its white gold case puts paid to that idea before the conversation even begins. It is instead, perhaps the most luxurious, desirable, deliciously devil-may-care thing the brand has ever produced.

Within the 18k white gold case of the Yacht-Master 42 is the Rolex Caliber 3235. The recipient of 14 patents, it includes the new Chronergy escapement, which is highly efficient and dependable. It contains all the hallmarks of a Rolex Perpetual movement suited to an active lifestyle, such as the Blue Parachrom hairspring (highly resistant to magnetic fields and temperature interference) and the Paraflex shock absorption system.

When you think of crazily luxurious watches made by Rolex, you’d be forgiven for thinking of a diamond-encrusted case, or even a rainbow bezel. But this trumps them all. The Yacht-Master 42 is the kind of luxury that only people in the know understand. For your investment, you don’t get anything that will scream your wealth across a room. Instead, you get something that is deliberately pared back. Something that is designed to catch the corner of an onlooker’s eye, but not their full attention. The Yacht-Master 42 is a watch that demands awareness to be appreciated. This is something for the wearer themselves to enjoy. Something deeply personal. Something deeply Rolex.

There are many stories as to where the five-pronged logo of Rolex comes from, and even more about what it represents. But if we take it for what it simply appears to be, it could not be more fitting. This brand is king. It may not have the finest movement finishing, the most mind-boggling complications, or price tags on a level with mansions or private jets, but Rolex has a heritage, a character, and a reputation that cannot be usurped. With this new direction with the Yacht-Master 42 carving out an evermore inaccessible niche, the brand next to whom any other would be happy to sit continues to stride further and further away from the pack.

About Rob Nudds

Rob Nudds is a WOSTEP-trained watchmaker, who graduated from the British School of Watchmaking. After working at the bench with brands such as Omega, Longines, Blancpain, and Bremont, he began working for NOMOS Glashütte, managing a retail network covering 17 countries, most notably the UK and USA.

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Rolex Yacht-Master 42 226659 Watch & The Message It Sends To Other Timepiece Fans

At least once a year Rolex introduces a product which is a high-end, albeit extremely understated luxury watch product.  I’ve edited this article a bit from how it was originally published because I used the term “F-You watch” without properly explaining the term to all members of the aBlogtoWatch audience. This term is used often by certain watch collectors and it isn’t an insult to anyone that made or wears the watch (not at all). It is a playful way of explaining the psychology at play when someone chooses a high-end product that isn’t noticeable as a high-end product to all but a select few who can identify it for what it is. For 2019, that type of product from Rolex is the 18k white gold and 42mm-wide new ref. 226659 Yacht-Master 42 , that I also like to call the “Yacht-Master Noir.”

The F-You watch, in general, serves a very specific value for wealthy watch enthusiasts. F-You watches are always expensive but are meant to look as though they aren’t nearly as expensive as they are. Not that F-You watches look cheap, rather, they are designed to not look very expensive when viewed from afar. The perfect F-You watch looks ordinary or unremarkable (perhaps generic) to an ordinary onlooker, but can quickly be identified as being expensive to the trained eye (i.e., someone so trained in watch prices they would know its value and also be cognizant that other non-watch enthusiasts might likely mistake its value).

Other people who know watches will recognize an F-You watch as not an ordinary watch, but as a high-luxury watch. That will make many of the people who view and recognize the F-You watch frustrated or even angry. Why angry? Because F-You watches are a really aggressive message to other people (those who can identify what you are wearing) who also openly wear more expensive products. The F-You watch is a taunt at other rich folk. F-You watches say “I have so much money to spend, I can even spend money on expensive things that don’t really increase my sense of social prestige when I wear them out and about.”

In that respect, F-You watches are a particular flavor of conspicuous consumption, though merely for a niche audience of other people rich in nuanced watch knowledge. For those who recognize the F-You watch, the message is that you conspicuously spent money on a humble-looking product… and perhaps that you are somewhat proud of that fact. Rolex, when it wishes to, makes very effective F-You watches. Let’s look at their latest one for 2019 as Rolex has a wonderful modern history in producing select products which send very specific messages to other watch lovers.

How would anyone think this handsome, elegant sports watch, in military-style silver and matte black on a rubber-style strap, is an almost $30,000 luxury item? As stated above, only other watch people. Aside from the F-You watch status of the Rolex 226659, what is really new is the 2mm enlarged Yacht-Master 42 case. The broad lugs actually make this watch a bit too large for my wrist, even though I really admire the slightly expanded overall proportions over the standard Yacht-Master 40. Rolex actually updated the entire Yacht-Master 40 collection for 2019, in addition to coming out with the Yacht-Master 42. The entire lineup gets the brand’s latest-generation case-making and finishing processes, and the modern-generation in-house-made caliber 3235 automatic movement. Again, that includes the 40 and 42mm Yacht-Master. Consider this solid 18k white gold Yacht-Master 42 an experiment to test sales of a 42mm-wide case on the Oysterflex bracelet.

Rolex almost always introduces new cases and movements in high-end watches first, in order to trickle them into the market and test them out. It is very (very) possible that Rolex will eventually produce a steel version of the Yacht-Master 42 case somewhere down the road. That really all depends on the success of the model. Rolex has already done pretty well breathing new life into the Yacht-Master by selling the 40mm-wide and 37mm-wide (gold) Yacht-Master pieces available on an elastomer Oysterflex strap. The Rolex Daytona on the Oysterflex strap was also a hit, and again, all of these watches are in gold. It is sort of amazing that in a time of so much variety in the market of high-end sports watches on colorful high-tech straps, Rolex continues to kill it by putting really fancy gold watches on black rubber straps.

Mind you that Rolex quality is enviously impeccable. The Oysterflex strap is no slouch and is among the most comfortable and well-made sport watch straps available anywhere. What people say is that once you start wearing it, the comfort can be so convenient it is hard to go back to anything else (especially if you are coming from wearing a previous watch with an ill-fitting bracelet). Perhaps the most important thing to say about the Oysterflex bracelet is that, on the Yacht-Master 42, Rolex finally added its Glide-Lock micro-adjustment system to the deployant clasp. So, this is really good news for those who have been wearing for that (and can afford it in gold).

My nickname for the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold and black ceramic is the “Yacht-Master Noir” because it reminds me of the stylized moodiness of film noir . Visually speaking, this silver and black watch could easily be mistaken for a Submariner at a glance — save for the different bezel and case shape. The Yacht-Master continues to be Rolex’s only sport watch with a swoopy case shape. The bezel also has markers in relief, but the insert is also black ceramic. It is worth pointing out that, unlike the uni-directional rotating bezel of the Submariner or other Rolex dive watches, the Yacht-Master 42 has a bi-directional rotating bezel (not really sure why). Note that even though the Yacht-Master and Submariner look very similar, the Yacht-Master is water-resistant to 100 meters, while the Submariner is water-resistant to 300 meters.

Rolex has enough customers out there for discussions like, “Doesn’t the 42mm Yacht-Master dwell a bit close into 43mm Sea-Dweller territory?” The answer is no. Rolex understands its customers well enough to know that the market for a 43mm-wide steel watch on a bracelet is different from the market for a 42mm-wide 18k white gold watch on a strap — despite the fact that they have virtually identical dials. In fact, the 226659 Yacht-Master 42 watch will probably be hard to get, not because it is sold out everywhere, but rather because Rolex simply won’t make a ton of them.

Inside the Yacht-Master 42 is Rolex’s newer-generation workhorse movement, the caliber 3235. Accurate to about 2 seconds or better a day, this 4Hz frequency movement offers 70 hours of power reserve. Too bad you can’t see it through the caseback of the watch. It would have been really cool to see the movement through the sapphire crystal with a black-colored automatic rotor. No, Rolex will not likely ever do that (at least not any time soon).

Put the Yacht-Master 42 Noir on your wrist, and you’ll likely agree it is a very nice watch. How could it not be? This is Rolex’s most successful dial design formula and now in a flavor for weekend poolside warriors who smirk at the idea of wearing an F-You watch to the club for the guys to see. Or perhaps you want something low-key to wear while off-roading 40 feet away from the main road in that Land Rover Defender you spend far too much money maintaining merely for on-road use. There is no shortage of applicable scenarios when you want a toy on your wrist that doesn’t glaringly remind you of how expensive your hobbies are when you just want to act a little childish. Price for the ref. 226659 Rolex Yacht-Master 42 watch in 18k white gold on the Oysterflex strap is $27,800 USD . Learn more at the Rolex website here .

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New watches 2023

With its latest creations, Rolex demonstrates its perpetual pursuit of excellence. An ever-present challenge manifested in the brand’s ambition to perfect every component, question every method, and master every aspect of watchmaking expertise. The watches unveiled illustrate a desire to reinvent while preserving a sense of continuity, to innovate while being mindful of tradition, and to leverage technology in daring to create. It is through such efforts – bolstered by the ‘superlative’ vision that permeates the entire creation process down to the finest detail – that exemplary timepieces are formed, and prevail. Watches that, with time, become icons.

OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA

The emblematic style and technical performance of the Cosmograph Daytona have cemented its iconic status well beyond the motor racing circuits. To mark the 60th anniversary of the watch, Rolex ensures the legend lives on by revisiting the entire range.

PERPETUAL 1908

Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the 1908 immortalizes Rolex’s age-long daring spirit. Its conception is the result of the brand’s comprehensive in-house expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence.

OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 42

Light and robust, the new Yacht-Master 42, in RLX titanium, is the ally of those who revel in freedom. Especially suited to the demands and pressures of competitive sailing, it delivers exceptional performance.

OYSTER PERPETUAL SKY-DWELLER

With its two time zones and annual Saros calendar, the Sky-Dweller is an elegant and trusted companion for world travellers. The range has been updated with numerous enhancements illustrating the role that excellence plays even in the tiniest details.

OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT-MASTER II

The GMT-Master II is available this year in two new versions – yellow Rolesor and 18 ct yellow gold – with a Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic, an entirely new colour combination.

OYSTER PERPETUAL EXPLORER 40

The Explorer range is expanded with the arrival of a new 40 mm model. Offering enhanced legibility, this timepiece carries all the qualities that have made the Explorer – one of the brand’s first Professional watches – a reference throughout the decades. Simple, robust and corrosion resistant, the new Explorer 40 is crafted from Oystersteel, a Rolex proprietary alloy.

OYSTER PERPETUAL

Alive with colour, vitality and positivity, the new dials of the Oyster Perpetual in 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm are dotted with many-coloured bubbles that joyfully reunite the five hues introduced to the range in 2020.

OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 36

The new Day-Date 36 welcomes dials made of decorative stone in shimmering tones that evoke the atmosphere of the Mediterranean coast. 

With these versions of the Day-Date 36, Rolex brings an unexpected creative twist to one of its iconic models. By displaying a new emotion each day, the watch brings an element of spontaneity into the wearers’ daily life and allows them to invest the reading of time with their changing mood.

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• The New Rolexes Are Almost Here: We Asked 9 Watch-World Insiders for Their Predictions

Collectors, dealers, and auction house experts offer their best guesses.

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The 13 Most Expensive Rolex Watches Ever Sold at Auction, From the Paul Newman to the Unicorn

Robb Report asked a cohort of Rolex lovers—a mix of pre-owned sellers, collectors, and auctioneers—to weigh in with more specific predictions. Based on the comments below, an updated Rolex GMT-Master II “Coke” reference (featuring a distinctive black and red bezel) may well be the brand’s big reveal. A new Submariner and precious metal variations of the Daytona would also be in line with expectations. A few people also made it clear that, hope against hope, the Crown would see fit to unveil a new Milgauss.

“Rolex are experts at keeping secrets,” says Ganjei, CEO and head curator of European Watch Company . “The truth is, nobody knows what Rolex is going to do, ever.”

William Massena, founder of Massena LAB

My bet is that Grandpa Rolex will go back to what it knows best: introducing an improved version of an existing model on the Oyster line. The surprise might occur with the new 1908 collection—I would not be surprised if they added some references there and expanded the line.

Finally, the use of titanium in the Oyster Professional collection will be something that many observers will be looking for (but Rolex is known to be rather slow when it comes to evolving and expanding that line).

Paul Boutros, Phillips’ deputy chairman and head of watches, Americas

Eugene Tutunikov, CEO of SwissWatchExpo

In 2024, the anticipation surrounding Rolex releases is high, with expectations for a blend of predictability and innovation. Building upon the previous year’s trend of emoji-themed watches, 2024 could witness a shift towards revitalizing Rolex’s timeless classics with innovative materials and vibrant color schemes. This could entail introducing new hues to traditional models or experimenting with novel materials to enhance durability and aesthetic appeal.

One of the most significant events in the Rolex timeline is the 70th anniversary of the GMT-Master, which debuted in 1954. This milestone is likely to be commemorated with special releases and editions that pay homage to the iconic timepiece. Given Rolex’s penchant for exclusivity and luxury, enthusiasts can expect to see exciting variations of the GMT-Master, possibly incorporating precious metals like gold or platinum.

A new iteration of the GMT-Master II is anticipated, possibly featuring a revived version of the beloved red/black “Coke” bezel. This iconic design element may receive a modern twist, such as being crafted in a precious metal that hasn’t been utilized before, adding a fresh dimension to the classic aesthetic.

I also foresee a new watch to commemorate the Rolex Submariner that was first unveiled at Baselworld in 1954. Again, a variation of precious metals might be added to the mix such as platinum. I’m also hoping for an element of surprise—perhaps a hint of red text adorning the dial, which hasn’t been seen since the ’70s.

Henry Flores, founder of the Classic Watch Club in New York City

Maybe Rolex will release a “Coke” GMT with a black and red bezel and discontinue the “Pepsi.” I’ve heard anecdotally through some authorized dealers that they’ve hardly seen any Pepsi GMTs come through their doors last year or the first quarter of this year. 

Paul Altieri, founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches

We could see an updated Rolex GMT-Master II “Coke” reference 126710BLRO [a “Pepsi” version of the model is pictured below] at Watches & Wonders. The current-gen model with the black and red “Coca-Cola” bezel has been around since 2018, putting it near the typical six- to seven-year Rolex product cycle for refreshes.

Don’t expect any dramatic aesthetic departures from the beloved bi-color bezel look. But Rolex may update the movement with a new caliber offering extended power reserve or other technical enhancements. An increased case size from 40 mm to better align with modern 41 mm models like the Submariner is also possible, though I doubt they’d stray too far from the classic Coke formula.

As a pillar of Rolex’s lineup, you can count on refinements versus any radical overhaul of this icon. But a new Coke variant would definitely generate buzz as a highlight release. The GMT collection is hugely important, so Rolex will be careful while aiming to improve the product. An updated Coke would be a major unveiling.

Giovanni Prigigallo, co-founder of EveryWatch

I do not anticipate Rolex making a habit of releasing unconventional watches like the Emoji Day-Date or the Celebrations dial on the Oyster Perpetual. As usual, Rolex aims to maintain an element of unpredictability in their releases, so offering similar pieces would be out of character for the brand.

Instead, I expect Rolex to shift its attention back to its timeless classics. I wouldn’t be surprised to see an evolution in the Submariner, as it has been a while since its last update. Likewise, the GMT line may see some exciting innovations. There have been longstanding rumors about the challenges in producing the Pepsi Bezel, so it wouldn’t be unexpected if Rolex decides to discontinue this model and introduce something fresh in its place.

Eddie Goziker, president of Wrist Aficionado

Firstly, I believe Rolex will finally bring back the highly anticipated GMT-Master II “Coke” with its iconic black and red bezel. Fans have been clamoring for its return, and Rolex seems ready to deliver, especially considering the rumored patent they filed for the black/red ceramic bezel.

Moreover, we may see the discontinuation of the left-handed GMT-Master II “Sprite,” as Rolex is known for its conservative approach and likely won’t keep a funky left-handed watch in their catalogue for long. Or, maybe, they’ll flip it back to a regular right-handed watch.

Moving on to the Daytona, I foresee the new model to herald the return of the meteorite dial, reminiscent of the very popular meteorite dial that was recently discontinued. Additionally, Rolex may introduce gold Daytona models with colorful dials, which would be a refreshing change from the current monochromatic designs. Colorful Daytonas have been popular so it makes sense Rolex will bring them back to push precious metal Daytona sales.

For the Submariner and Sea-Dweller collections, we are hoping Rolex finally introduces steel models with the Oysterflex bracelet, fulfilling the wishes of sports enthusiasts seeking a rubber-clad waterproof option. Another possibility is a rose gold Submariner with a green dial, perhaps in the popular olive shade. Alternatively, we would love to see a white gold “Hulk” variant, a “Hulk 2.0” if you will.

Joshua Ganjei, CEO and head curator of European Watch Company

With the reintroduced Pepsi already out for a number of years, it seems logical for a “Coke,” or black and red, bezel GMT. Both vintage references are highly popular.

Geoff Hess, Sotheby’s head of watches for the Americas and founder of RollieFest

I predict Rolex this year will remain loyal to its unparalleled track record of consistency and will focus on making only incremental and slight changes to current models. I think we’ll see their tried-and-true formulas in full force, with only modest modifications to existing designs to make the product minimally better. 

When it comes to innovation we typically think of large, dramatic alterations, but far more than in recent years, I believe the Rolex product this season will remain largely the same, and consistently great, but with only slight enhancements to the current lineup.  

Like no other brand, Rolex has found a way to make mass-produced luxury timepieces appear truly rare, and in turn, they become instantly coveted. New product is typically somewhat predictable for them, and always consistent. Accordingly, the brand is protected from market mistakes. In this exciting time of year for our hobby, Rolex will present an evolution, not a revolution.  

Victoria Gomelsky is editor-in-chief of the jewelry trade publication JCK and a frequent contributor to the New York Times and Robb Report. Her freelance work has appeared in AFAR, WSJ Magazine, The…

Read More On:

• GMT-Master II
• Rolex Daytona
• Watches and Wonders

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Rolex and golf

Honouring the collective

Team spirit

Team competitions hold a special place in the world of golf. They reflect the highest qualities: selflessness, solidarity and faith in a unit of players. The matches, sometimes fierce, unfold with utmost respect between opponents. These encounters are also privileged moments of transmission between accomplished champions and rising younger talent. Rolex partners the three major intercontinental competitions: The Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup and the Presidents Cup™.

Presidents Cup™ A rivalry spanning the globe

Launched in 1994 and modelled on The Ryder Cup, the Presidents Cup™ is a biennial competition that pits players from the United States of America against a selection from the rest of the world (except Europe). Each team is made up of 12 golfers guided by their captain. During the 2005, 2007 and 2009 editions, this role was entrusted to Jack Nicklaus of the United States and South African Gary Player, both Rolex Testimonees. As captains, these legendary players revived their rivalry of the 1960s and 1970s. The USA team has held the title since 2000.

Rolex has been the Official Timekeeper of the Presidents Cup™ since 2005 and Worldwide Partner since 2007.

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Solheim Cup Transatlantic summit

Three days of intense competition, two teams of 12 women golfers, each led by an experienced captain – the Solheim Cup pits Europe against the United States of America every two years. Launched by an industrialist couple from the USA whose name it bears, the Solheim Cup first took place in 1990 and was modelled after The Ryder Cup. More than 30 years later, the competition has become one of the most important events in women’s golf. Over the years, it has gained the support of the greatest golfers who throughout the season aim to qualify automatically or to be selected by the captains.

Rolex Testimonee Annika Sörenstam lifted the Solheim Cup as a player in 2000 and 2003, and across eight editions, won 22 of her 37 matches. Norway’s Suzann Pettersen, a Rolex Testimonee and captain of the European team in 2023 and 2024, was on the winning outfit as a player four times (2003, 2011, 2013 and 2019). Anna Nordqvist is a five-time winner (2011, 2013, 2019, 2021 and 2023), including as a playing vice-captain in her eighth consecutive appearance in 2023.

Rolex has been Official Timekeeper and Worldwide Partner of the event since 1994.

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