The wristwatch worn by movie stars, royalty and sports stars is never far from the wishlists of collectors and style-minded overachievers.
For 2021, its novelties, presented virtually during the opening day of Watches & Wonders, reveal a brand that continues to be top of its game.
The broad theme that unites its new timepieces is adventure, be it geographical, technical or aesthetic, and as usual, fans of the brand have not been left wanting.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer and Explorer II
The Explorer models were originally created to accompany the most extreme exploration missions on earth: the first explorers to summit Mount Everest in 1953 wore Rolex Oysters. An advert from the 1950s bears the legend: “Rolex watches are always found where frontiers are being advanced” and this has underpinned this elegant, yet mighty tool watch ever since.
The new Explorer and Explorer II models are emblematic of the brand’s perpetual forward drive, and this flagship launch for the year doesn’t disappoint.
The Oyster Perpetual Explorer is released in a yellow Rolesor edition that combines Oystersteel and 18-carat yellow gold. A black dial is crafted from lacquer – new for this model – and the display, highlighted in powerful Chromalight, ensures visibility even in dark conditions.
The watch is powered by a leading-edge Calibre 3230, which gives it over 70 hours of power reserve, while the case, a paragon of robustness and reliability, is guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres, with its caseback hermetically screwed down with a special tool that only Rolex watchmakers can open.
The Explorer II, meanwhile, is a COSC and Rolex-certified chronometer, which makes it amongst the most accurate timekeepers on the planet. Forged in proprietary Oystersteel, a white lacquer dial offsets the black PVD hour markers and characteristic orange seconds hand.
The 2021 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer
At 42mm in diameter and featuring the same highly scratch-resistant sapphire crystal as the Explorer, the watch features a Cyclops lends over the date window, and fits seamlessly around the wrist thanks to the bracelet that is completed with the three-piece Oysterlock folding safety clasp.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 and Oyster Perpetual Lady-DateJust
Rolex’s expertise in diamond-setting takes a resplendent step into the limelight courtesy of two women’s watches that display staggering complexity in gem-setting.
Set one by one into the dial, the diamonds adorn the full surface of the dial and bezel of the Day-Date 36, which is presented in a yellow gold and burgundy, white gold and turquoise or Everose gold and orange.
The watch boasts enamel markers to match the different coloured straps, and is powered by the Calibre 3255 manufacture movement. It is water resistant to 100 metres, should you be wild enough to go deep-sea diving while wearing one, and packs an impressive 70 hours of power reserve.
The 2021 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II
The Lady-Datejust takes the presence of diamonds to its most glorious extreme, with 158 on the case sides and lugs, 44 on the bezel, 596 on the bracelet and 291 on the dial. That’s 1,089 sparklers in total, encasing a Superlative Chronometer certified watch, with a decidedly diminutive 29mm case diameter.
Petite and powerful, this statement wristwatch is about as much of a statement watch as any woman of formidable means could hope for.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36
Four editions of the Datejust 36 are released as part of the brand’s 2021 novelties and feature intriguing new palm and fluted dial motifs. The palm motif is seen on three of the new watches, in olive green on Oystersteel, in gold on the Rolesor version, and silver on an Everose Rolesor version.
The fluted motif meanwhile, is seen in a yellow gold Rolesor version. Each of the four watches is equipped with Calibre 3235.
The Datejust was the first self-winding chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’ clock on the dial when launched in 1945 and its timeless design has spanned eras, retaining the enduring aesthetic that makes it such an instantly recognisable Rolex.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Three versions of its iconic motorsport-inspired watch should satisfy diehard Daytona fans, each of which features rare meteorite from space on the dial. The three editions are powered by calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Role.
It incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby enhancing the movement’s reliability. Launched in 1963, it’s one of the brand’s most sought-after models so fans will be delighted with the choice of 3 new models to hanker after, a classic amongst sports chronographs.