New for 2021, Rolex has presented its new suite of enduring designs for the year ahead.
The first week of April saw the Watches & Wonders convention where the biggest watchmakers in the world shared the new creations for 2021. For watch collectors and connoisseurs, some of the most exciting announcements have come courtesy of Rolex.
A new range that taps into the brand's adventurous identity. These timepieces are designed to take you to the paths less travelled, the deepest caves and the highest mountain peaks. With new iterations to six of the most treasured creations, Rolex has made some truly exciting new moves. Here's what's new and exciting
The Explorer and Explorer II
Possibly the biggest announcement comes in the form of the new Explorer line. The watches of mountaineers, the original Explorer watch and the Explorer II have evolved. The New Generation of Explorer comes in a new colourway, the Oyster Perpetual Explorer is available in a yellow Rolesor with 18 ct gold version. It's a big move since this design has historically only ever come in stainless steel. The Explorer's size has changed too, down to 36mm from 39mm.
The Explorer's sibling, the Explorer II has received some gentle changes too with new black hands to appear on the matte black iteration of the watch. Of course, the iconic bright orange hands (designed for cave explorers to see in the dark) will still remain on most of the other iterations of the Explorer II.
The Daytona
This iconic and hotly desired creation is getting a makeover. The new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona will come in new materials: white gold, yellow gold and Rolex's own everose gold. Each will come with meteorite detailing, a material from space. Yes, literally from outer space. The Daytona is easily one of Rolex's most popular designs and this only serves to make it even more in demand.
The Datejust
This creation comes with two exciting new watch faces, one featuring a Palm motif and the other a motif replicating the Rolex fluted bezel. In olive green, silver or golden, these are made from classic materials such as copper, zinc, nickel, chromium, titanium and silicon. But it's Rolex's tech that allows these materials to showcase the new vibrant metallic colours.
Day-date
The president's watch, the Day-date gets colourful update, with new leather tones and designs bedazzled with diamonds. The new versions of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 have matching and coloured hour markers and straps of alligator leather. It's Coral on the 18 ct yellow gold model, turquoise on the 18 ct white gold version and burgundy on the watch in 18 ct Everose gold. It's all topped off with in swathes of diamonds.
Lady Datejust
While we feel that most watches tend to be genderless, the women's specific Lady-Datejust also received a delicate and female-focused new iteration. The new Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust is set with exactly 1,089 diamonds on the middle case, bezel, dial and President bracelet. It's an exceptional watch designed for a slender wrist that loves to sparkle.