At the Watches and Wonders 2024, all eyes rolled on Rolex’s new releases. The highlight of the show rested in the GMT-Master II which has been introduced in two Oystersteel versions. The other release which got the spotlight is the new Daytona crafted in white gold and set with diamonds on the bezel and a mother-of-pearl dial. The other novelties include a Day-Date, a 1908, a Deepsea, and a Sky-Dweller.
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II
The new Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II is unveiled in two Oystersteel models, one with an Oyster bracelet and the other with a Jubilee bracelet. The 40mm Oystersteel watches feature a bidirectional rotating bezel with a graduated two-colour Cerachrom bezel insert in grey and black ceramic with a 24-hour scale, coated with platinum with the help of Physical Vapour Deposition or PVD. Both timepieces feature a black lacquer dial with the inscription ‘GMT-Master II’ in green, as well as the tip of the triangular 24-hour hand.
Automatic calibre 3285 powers the watch offering it about 70 hours of reserve. The movement utilises Chronergy escapement which enhances efficiency through its magnetic-resistant properties. The bracelets come with Easylink comfort extension link for quick adjustments. The water-resistance of the watches is up to 100 metres.
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date
The Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40 and Day-Date 36 models have been unveiled at the fair.
The Day-Date 40 debuts ombré dials, with the 18 ct Everose gold variant showcasing a slate ombré hue, transitioning from a colored center to a deep black perimeter. This edition introduces faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and index hour markers in 18K pink gold, a departure from the traditional diamond hour markers. Another iteration of the Day-Date 40, crafted from 18 ct white gold, boasts a dial made of pearlized white mother-of-pearl, a first for this model. Extracted from the oyster shell, the mother-of-pearl exhibits a texture resembling overlapping clouds, accentuated by ten baguette-cut diamonds serving as hour markers.
In the Day-Date 36 watches, the faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals, and index hour markers are introduced, which were earlier exclusive to Day-Date 40, adorning the 18K yellow gold variant with a white lacquer dial. Additionally, the Day-Date 36 in 18K Everose gold debuts a striking blue-green dial, adorned with ten baguette-cut diamonds, while select models feature a bezel set with trapeze-cut diamonds.
Both the Day-Date 40 and Day-Date 36 models are equipped with the calibre 3255 movement with a power reserve of about 70 hours. The watches are flanked with a President bracelet.
Perpetual 1908
Rolex introduced a new Perpetual 1908 crafted in a 950 platinum case of 39mm and an ice blue dial featuring a guilloche rice-grain motif. The standout feature of the Perpetual 1908 is its distinctive dial design, characterized by a rosette-like pattern created through guillochage, or engine turning. This motif extends across the surface of the dial, starting from the small seconds counter at 6 o'clock. The minute track is surrounded by a filet sauté with a crimped pattern, also executed with guilloché technique.
Equipped with automatic calibre 7140, the watch offers a power reserve of approximately 66 hours and features Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration on its bridges. The patented Chronergy escapement incorporated into the movement ensures high energy efficiency and dependability, while the Syloxi hairspring, made of silicon, guarantees the movement's regularity in any position. Also, the Paraflex shock absorbers are mounted with oscillators which enhance the movement's shock resistance.
The watch is water-resistant upto 50 metres and is presented on a brown alligator leather strap fitted with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp.
Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea
Rolex unveiled the new Oyster Perpetual Rolex Deepsea for the first time in 18K yellow gold, and an exceptional water resistance of 3900 metres.
The new Rolex Deepsea features a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in blue ceramic and a blue lacquer dial adorned with the name 'DEEPSEA' in powdered yellow. With the Ringlock system, the Cerachrom ring made with ceramic, coloured blue with a circular satin finish and gilded engravings, enhances the watch's compression resistance and anti-deformation properties, contributing to its exceptional waterproofness. The patented Ringlock system, comprising a sapphire crystal, compression ring, and case back in RLX titanium, ensures the watch's durability and robustness in extreme conditions.
Curated for professional divers, the Rolex Deepsea is designed with a Chromalight display on the pared-back dial providing long-lasting blue luminescence for enhanced visibility in low-light conditions. Powered by the automatic calibre 3235 movement, the timepiece displays the date, hours, minutes, and seconds. Additionally, the unidirectional rotatable bezel with a Cerachrom insert allows divers to monitor their time accurately, while the helium escape valve protects the watch during decompression phases.
The Oyster bracelet of the Rolex Deepsea features the Oysterlock folding safety clasp and the Rolex Glidelock extension system, enabling easy adjustment of the bracelet length without tools. Furthermore, patented ceramic inserts inside the links enhance flexibility and longevity.
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
The brand has introduced two variations of the iconic Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona at Watches and Wonders 2024. These distinguished timepieces are crafted in 18K white gold and feature mother-of-pearl dials with eight diamonds and three Chromalight hour markers.
The first model, equipped with an Oysterflex bracelet, boasts a white mother-of-pearl dial with black mother-of-pearl chronograph counters. The second, fitted with an Oyster bracelet, features a black mother-of-pearl dial with white mother-of-pearl counters.
Housed inside the Cosmograph Daytona is the automatic calibre 4131 movement, which drives the chronograph function, in addition to displaying hours, minutes, and seconds. The power reserve is about 72 hours.
The Oyster bracelet version incorporates the Easylink comfort extension link, allowing for easy length adjustment. Both bracelets are equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, ensuring a secure and comfort fit. The water-resistance is about 100 metres.
Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller
Rolex has unveiled two new opulent versions of the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, adorned with a Jubilee bracelet for the first time in precious metal. Crafted in 42mm 18K Everose gold or 18K yellow gold, both variants feature a striking contrast in their dials, one in slate and the other in intense white.
Ideal for frequent travellers, the Sky-Dweller showcases dual time zones simultaneously and boasts an annual calendar named Saros. This innovative feature automatically differentiates between 30- and 31-day months, with the current month highlighted in red. The Ring Command system allows seamless selection and adjustment of the timepiece's functions.
Driving the Sky-Dweller is the advanced calibre 9002 movement, which enables the display of date, month, an additional time zone in 24-hour format, as well as hours, minutes, and seconds. The movement incorporates Rolex's patented Chronergy escapement, Parachrom hairspring, and Paraflex shock absorbers, delivering outstanding precision and reliability.
The Jubilee bracelet, originally designed for the Oyster Perpetual Datejust in 1945, is equipped with a folding Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension link, the bracelet offers adjustability for a perfect fit. Ceramic inserts within the links enhance flexibility and durability.
Images: Courtesy Brand
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