ROLEX COLORFUL RELEASE FOR 2023
Let there be color, fancy, and free. That phrase must have been uttered during a meeting at Rolex headquarters because that is exactly what has taken place with this year’s new releases from Rolex. They not only stepped outside of the box they completely threw the box out the window. There were of course technical advances in some of the movements, but, the presentation is where the emphasis reined for Rolex this year. Put your happy face on and let’s take a look at the new Rolex attitude.
Rolex Daytona
Starting off the list is the Rolex Daytona celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and its changes ranged from subtle to undeniable. First off the Rolex resized and restyled the hour markers and counter rings along with a redesigned middle case.
Version 950 platinum now comes with an 18ct. Oscillating weight visible through a transparent sapphire case back, a first for Rolex, but a very calculated first. Rolex strikes again! Also included is a new movement 4131, which comes with a better escapement, and an optimized ball bearing enhancing self-winding. Exclusive Rolex Cotes de Geneve decoration on the movement is displayed through the transparent case back
Perpetual 1908
If you did a quick glance you would not think the Cellini was discontinued at all, but the new Rolex 1908, the name reflecting the first year the Rolex trademark was registered in Suiza, is very much its own watch. With numerals at 3,9, and 12, and a small seconds hand at 6 it looks back to the Oyster Perpetual style of 1931. Its slim 39 mm case comes in either yellow or white 18ct gold, with once again a sapphire transparent case-back displaying a new Rolex caliber 7140 with 66 hours of power reserve. The elegant style of the past is tastefully wrapped around a technologically advanced watch. Well done.
Yacht-Master 42
Next, we take a look at a stunning new release, the Rolex Yacht-Master 42. Straight up I love it. Offered in RLX titanium, a grade 5 titanium alloy that is particularly lightweight. The Yacht-Master 42 with the titanium case and bracelet comes in at about one-third of the weight of a similar stainless steel model. A subtle blend of textures and light is achieved with a combination of polished high sheen and technical satin finishes exhibiting its pronounced grain.
Sky-Dweller
Sky-Dweller
18ct white gold returned to the Sky-Dweller collection this year combined with a bright black dial and for the first time ever on an Oysterflex bracelet. New dial colors immediately snatch your attention like the delicate mint green offered on the white Rolesor versions along with a beautifully executed blue green offered exclusively on the 18 ct. Everose reference on Oyster bracelet.
GMT-Master II
The Rolex GMT-Master II gained two new versions this year, each one evoking GMT’S style of the past with plenty of attention to the present time. Offered is an 18ct. Yellow gold and a yellow Rolesor with a cerachrom bezel in a new grey and black color combination. The muted tones meld nicely with the gold cases and the iconic jubilee bracelet, which is the exclusive bracelet on these 2 references.
Explorer 40
The changes were few on the Rolex Explorer. It is now 40 mm, up one from 39 mm. The 36 mm version will remain in the collection. A 40 mm version may open up a larger audience for this time-only watch.
Oyster Perpetual
And now the fun really begins as Rolex went wild, by Rolex standards at least, with the new dial combinations offered on the 31 mm, 36 mm, and the larger 41 mm reference of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual collection. The dials are dotted with a variety of colored bubbles outlined in black. Each of the colors including, candy pink, turquoise blue, yellow, coral red, and green represents the five hues introduced to the collection in 2020. The watch is beautifully executed and the timing, once again of its release, is completely on point.
Day-Date 36
The new Rolex Day-Date 36 reveals decorative stone dials meant to evoke memories of the Mediterranean coast. Green aventurine, carnelian, and turquoise are offered in 18 ct. Everose yellow and white gold respectively. Each of these new dials has a unique appearance due to the natural veining, lines, and crystallized nature of the various stones. The watches are then embellished with bezels set with 52 brilliant cut diamonds along with diamond-encrusted hour markers and Roman numerals making for a stunning timepiece.
This next Day-Date release is its own article for another time because I can’t think of anyone who predicted Rolex would release a Day-Date with emojis and inspirational words instead of the day and date but that is exactly what Rolex has done. Words like happy, eternity, gratitude, love, peace, faith, and hope fill the day window. The date window is now an assortment of emojis, I will let your imagination fill in the blanks.
As always the Rolex Day-Date is the “statement,” now more than ever!
So overall I would call the Rolex release party for 2023 a huge colorful success, one to be talked about, debated, and analyzed for a long time to come.
