Dr. N.
Like every year, there is great expectation among fans regarding the news that Rolex could present this year. The advances are numerous, but, as happened in the past, this time too Rolex will succeed in displacing everyone. In fact, the Geneva-based company is known for the confidentiality with which it hides its new models and it is rarely possible to predict its moves correctly.
Awareness of the difficulty of guessing forecasts on Rolex range however, it is not an impediment to trying to reason on the subject. Reflecting on the characteristics of the current range and on what has been shown so far by the maison of the Crown, it can be assumed that Rolex will move this year on the fronts that we are now going to analyze.
The great awaited: a new Submariner?
Il Rolex Submariner 116610 it was undoubtedly a great success for Rolex. This model is in fact the evolution of the watch Rolex most recognizable ever, and it is for this reason that Rolex always intervenes with caution on his diving watch more representative.
However, it should also be considered that the Rolex Submariner 116610 of current production has room for improvement. First of all, it features the 3135 movement, a true Rolex workhorse, in production since 1988. It is an excellent self-winding movement, easy to maintain, precise and robust. But the technology Rolex in recent years it has continued. The caliber that could replace the 3135 is the 3235, which already serves in the Rolex Sea Dweller, in Rolex Deepsea, in Rolex Datejust 36 mm and 41 mm, as well as in the Rolex Yacht Masters 40mm and 42mm and, last on this list but first by introduction, the Rolex Pearlmaster, where this caliber was first tested in 2015.
But why should Rolex change the already great 3135? Caliber 3235 has numerous arrows in its bow. Innovations such as the Parachrom spiral blue, made of zirconium and niobium alloy: these materials are insensitive to magnetic fields, which greatly contributes to the running accuracy of the watch. But not only that, the Rolex caliber 3235 also features a redesigned high-efficiency escapement and a power reserve increased to 70 hours, from the 48 of cal. 3135 from which it derives. In short, a series of innovations that lead us to believe that Rolex's novelty of 2020 could be a new Rolex Submariner.
With the occasion of the introduction of a new movement, it is also reasonable to expect an aesthetic retouch. Many enthusiasts find the straight lugs introduced with the current production aesthetically heavy Rolex Submariner and they want a redesign with more fluid and elusive forms. Below is a reconstruction taken from the internet on how a possible one could appear Rolex Submariner redesigned, in comparison with the current production model.
Another rumor circulating regarding the Rolex Submariner is the possibility of introducing a new blue bezel. Similarly to what happened in 2003 with the introduction of the Kermit Submariner, it is thought that the newly colored bezel can initially be combined with a traditional black dial, only to see the arrival of a dedicated model in which the bezel and dial are the same. color. As happened in fact with the green color, which after having decorated only the Kermit bezel in 2003, has also become dominant on the dial with the Submariner Hulk of 2010. Speaking of Rolex Hulk, according to some rumors this year could also see the presentation of a yellow gold Submariner with green dial and bezel…
The Daytona unknown
The Rolex Daytona is a watch that needs no introduction. It is undoubtedly one of the most successful models from Rolex. In 2005, Rolex introduced the Cerachrom bezel on the Daytona, made of scratch-resistant ceramic. This is not just a technical innovation: it changes the aesthetics of the entire watch. The change has been well received by the public, so it is believed that Rolex may introduce the new bezel on models with steel and gold cases as well. So far, in fact, the Daytona range has hosted the Cerachrom bezel on the steel models and on some of the gold ones - those with an Oysterflex bracelet, specifically -, while those in steel and gold have retained the metal bezel. One possibility is that the black Cerachrom bezel is applied to these latest models, with golden accents made by gold vapor deposition, to bring out the numbers on the speedometer.
Rolex Explorer: what's new?
The Rolex Explorer range is likely to see some major innovations, but not all of them right away. Many expect that for the 2021th anniversary of the Rolex Explorer II, in 1971, a new series will be presented, more faithful to the style of the model that was introduced in XNUMX.
The Rolex Explorer I, on the other hand, could benefit from an intervention already in 2020. The choice of Rolex to stir the waters around this true veteran of the Rolex range - not everyone knows that this model before both the Submariner and the GMT - could turn out to be focused on a single detail: the dial. In fact, many believe it probable the introduction of a white dial for the heiress model of the watch that accompanied Hillary to Everest.
Various and possible: Milgauss, Air-King and the others
The main novelty in the rest of the Rolex range is probably the possible arrival of a new edition of the Rolex Milgauss. The current version does not convince everyone: it is in fact considered too informal by the standards of the House by critics, but above all it has been surpassed by the range of the rival Omega with its new models resistant to magnetic fields of fifteen thousand Gauss. It is therefore reasonable to expect a rather important technical update, combined with an equally significant redesign of the watch. It seems there is the possibility of seeing the new Rolex Milgauss - which would retain its name while increasing the extent of its anti-magnetic properties - with an unprecedented rotating ceramic bezel. One way if we want to mention the first Rolex Milgauss, which approached the aesthetics of the Rolex Submariner of the time. Of course, the famous stylized lightning seconds hand would remain.
Above, the possible new Rolex Milgauss, below, the first model from 1954
A novelty in subtracting instead could concern the Rolex Air-King. This model, which for aesthetic reasons has never fully convinced fans in its current version, could be removed from production. But with Rolex, these withdrawals are actually pauses for reflection: should production cease, we would have a hiatus of a few years, after which Rolex would certainly launch a revised and corrected Air-King.
Another excellent divestiture would concern the Submariner Hulk. Of course, here it would not be a question of withdrawing a model that is not very popular with the public, quite the opposite: the idea would be to preserve its exclusivity and prepare to launch a new model in the future, which would be even more awaited due to the suspension of the production of the current version.
A model that could see the light instead is the Rolex Yacht Master 42 in steel. This Rolex model is in fact currently available in white gold, and it is reasonable to imagine that Rolex wants to gradually complete the range.
Finally, some foresee the arrival not of new models or versions, but only of new dials, for another great classic of the Crown House: the Rolex Day-Date. The degrade dials are very popular with enthusiasts and it is not excluded that Rolex wants to exploit this niche.
Rolex news: let's take stock
The novelties planned for the Rolex range are, as we have seen, numerous and interesting. Even without the traditional Basel frame, skipped due to the restrictions following the spread of the Coronavirus, Rolex knows how to keep the attention of enthusiasts and collectors alike. Rolex Submariner, Rolex Daytona, Rolex Explorer, Rolex Milgauss… There are so many models that could surprise us. We just have to wait for the arrival of the September Rolex news!
And you, what do you think of the possible innovations of Rolex? Let us know your opinion in the comments!
