Rolex: Boldness and fantasy

Published on August 18, 2023Updated on October 02, 2024

Rolex, the world-renowned watch brand, amazes watch lovers with its latest Daytona collection.Between refined aesthetics, exceptional functionalities and prestigious heritage, discover our selection of models from the emblematic Rolex range.

The mythical Day-Date 36

The winds of change are blowing around the crown. With its shimmering colours, uplifting designs and technical avant-garde approach, the 2023 vintage at Rolex is one of surprise and enchantment.

The brand was the talk of the Watches & Wonders trade show in Geneva from 27 March to 2 April this year. And it had some intriguing new creations to share! Not content with celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Daytona and the 70th anniversary of the Explorer, the watchmaker has ventured off the beaten track this year, revisiting its iconic DayDate 36. Surprise number one is on the dial: it features a joyful arrangement of 12 jigsaw pieces in champlevé enamel. The next surprise happens at noon. Glimpse at the arc-shaped aperture and an inspiring word – Hope, Peace, Love, Happy, Eternity, Gratitude or Faith – replaces the day of the week. Meanwhile, in the date window, a rainbow of emotions is revealed at 3 p.m. embodied by one of the 31 emojis that has been designed especially for this model. A heart, a 4-leaf clover and a smiley are some of the reminders that spontaneity should come first, before we worry about the date.

Photo: Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 mm, yellow gold.

Kaleidoscope of emotions

There three versions for future collectors: yellow gold, white gold or Everose gold, with a turquoise blue dial for the first two and an orange dial for the third. The watches are all fitted with an avantgarde movement: calibre 3255. And to push the Rolex optimism to the max, the hours are represented by ten baguette-cut sapphires in six different shades. The same joie de vivre is also apparent on the new face of the 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm Oyster Perpetuals.

In a spluttering of colour, the lacquered dial brims with a profusion of bubbles. This chromatic effervescence and graphic euphoria are made possible by the technical mastery and dial-making know-how of the Rolex workshops. Colour is star of the show for the new Day-Date 36 watches too, which are adorned with pretty dials in ornamental stones whose glints are a reminder of the beautiful atmosphere along the Mediterranean coast. Green aventurine for the Everose gold version, carnelian for the yellow gold model and turquoise for the white gold version. In short: Rolex stuns once again with its unbridled creativity.

Photo: Oyster Perpetual Explorer 40, Oystersteel.

A Future classic

How else could the brand demonstrate its inventive flair? By delighting lovers of fine watches with the launch of a brand-new collection. Named Perpetual 1908 – in reference to the year the brand was officially registered in Switzerland – this is a future icon. Inspired by one of Rolex’s first Perpetual rotor watches, it is an extraordinary combination of classicism, elegance and refinement. In terms of detail, the shape of the hands, the faceted indexes and the domed and finely fluted bezel are part of the brand’s watchmaking heritage. In yellow or white gold with an intense white or black dial, the Perpetual 1908 stands out for the finesse of its case. Another surprise? Its transparent back, which reveals a carefully decorated movement, somewhere between Rolex Côtes de Genève and openwork oscillating weight in yellow gold. Certified as a Superlative Chronometer, it is a combination of Rolex’s technical and design know-how. Finally, to affirm its sophistication, this timepiece boasts an alligator leather strap with a green lining and the unique Dualclasp.

Photo: Perpetual 1908, 39 mmm, yellow gold.