The crowned house presented the new 2024 models at the Watches and Wonders in Geneva.
For this 2024, Rolex focused its attention on some of the most emblematic models of its production, proposing some new variants. We start with theOyster Perpetual GMT-Master II, with thegrey/black combination, introduced last year on the gold version, which now appears on the Cerachrom disc of the bidirectional, 24-hour graduated bezel. There are two versions of the new model in Oystersteel, with an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet. The black lacquered dial is enlivened by the green 'GMT-Master II' inscription and the 24-hour hand, which, with its triangle-shaped tip, has become a key element of the watch's design.
The dial is framed by a 40 mm case, water-resistant to a depth of 100 metres, which houses the automatic calibre 3285, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, unveiled in 2018 and introduced in the model the same year. Certified as a Superlative Chronometer, like all watches from the Geneva-based company, incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which guarantees high energy efficiency, extreme operational safety and ensures an autonomy of approximately 70 hours. Price of 11,200 euro.
The new Rolex Deepsea in yellow gold
Rolex launches a version of this professional diver, combining the colour blue with 18-carat yellow gold.
The Deepsea is now also offered in a sumptuous variant with a 44 mm case and an 18-carat yellow gold Oyster bracelet, Matching elements in Cerachrom ceramic dial, flange and bezel ring blue in colour. The Deepsea benefits from the Ringlock system, a case architecture developed by Rolex and patented. In summary, this system is based on the superimposition of sapphire glass (thick and slightly convex, and benefiting from an anti-reflective treatment), a high-strength compression ring that is capable, on its own, of withstanding the pressure exerted by water, and a RLX titanium case back. The helium valve located at 9 o'clock on the case middle is also made of the latter material.
In the Rolex Deepsea, waterproof up to 3,900 metres, the glass is 5.5 mm thick and the back is held against the ring by a second screwed-in ring. The compression ring of the 18-carat yellow gold version is made of a high-tech blue ceramic, a first for this component. The watch is driven by the in-house Rolex calibre 3235, mechanical automatic. Price54,600 euro.
Other Rolex 2024 news
Particular attention has been paid to the use of new dials.
As for the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date collection, Rolex enriches the range with two new versions of the 40 mm case model and two new versions of the 36 mm case model, exhibiting unpublished quadrants. There are therefore four new Day-Dates in total, and here we offer the two variants of the 40 mm case model. The first has a President case and bracelet made of 18-carat Everose gold and features a slate dial ombré (colour, which had never before been used on these dials) and whose surface, coloured in the centre, changes to a denser black at the edge. The facetted bar hour markers and facetted untied Roman numerals are also made of gold. Price43,600 euro.
The second new declination of the Day-Date 40, with an 18-carat white gold case and bracelet, features a dial in pearly white mother-of-pearl. These are a premiere for the collection (price of 49,300 euros). Both models are driven by the Rolex-manufactured calibre 3235, mechanical automatic, obviously with day (at 12 o'clock) and date display (at 3 o'clock, with Cyclope lens).
The Perpetual 1908 also comes with a new dial. This watch, presented a year ago, now adopts 950 platinum for its 39 mm case and, above all, displays a ice-blue dial decorated with a rice grain pattern. The design is obtained by guillochage and resembles a rose window, with the three-dimensional geometric motifs that are repeated until they cover the entire surface of the dial, starting with the small seconds counter at 6 o'clock. It adopts the Rolex manufacture calibre 7140, mechanical automatic. The strap is matt brown alligator with green lining, and the 950 platinum Dualclasp clasp has a double folding clasp Price31,700 euro.
As for the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, Rolex presents two new versions, combining a contrasting black and white dial in natural mother-of-pearl with a diamond-set bezel. In one model, the dial is white and the counters are black, while in the second declination, the colours are reversed. The two varieties of mother-of-pearl are worked with the utmost care by the company's craftsmen. Hourly indices also consist of diamonds.
Both declinations are topped by a bezel set with thirty-six brilliant-cut diamonds and are fitted with a bracelet matching the colour of the counters: Oysterflex bracelet when the counters are black and 18K white gold Oyster bracelet when they are white. The movement is the IWC-manufactured calibre 4131, mechanical automatic. Prices64,350 euros (white dial); 73,450 euros (black dial).
Finally, Rolex also presents two new declinations of the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, both combined with a Jubilee bracelet. For the first time, this model equipped with GMT function and annual calendar is combined with a precious metal Jubilee bracelet. The 18-carat Everose gold version has a slate dial, while the 18-carat yellow gold version adopts a deep white dial.
The case measures 42 mm in diameter. It is animated by the self-winding Rolex manufacture calibre 9002. Prices54,300 euros (Everose gold); 51,300 euros (yellow gold).
