FRESH FACES
ROLEX presents six new collections with enhanced aesthetics and technologies, including an unprecedented GMT design and the first ever Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42 in yellow gold, FLOREY D MIKIL reports
The f irst quarter of 2022 sees Rolex releasing the latest creat ions of its emblematic timepieces. With t heir enhanced aesthetics and t echnolog ies, the new watches ser ve as a testament to the brand’s per petual quest for excellence. Rolex, w ith its in-house master y of watchmak ing expertise, ensures that the timepieces of fer the same promise of outstanding qualit y as their predecessors. As w ith all Rolex watches, each one comes w ith Superlative Chronometer certif ication, it s status symbolised by the g reen seal, and is of fered w ith an internat ional f ive-year g uarantee.
OYSTER PERPETUAL AIR-KING
The new-generation Air-King continues to celebrate the pioneers of aviation, offering enhancements that provide optimal navigational time readings. Presented in a completely redesigned 40 mm Oyster case, it now sports a crown guard and straight sides like the majority of Professional category models. Its distinctive black dial displays 3, 6 and 9 numerals marking the hours and a prominent minute scale which, thanks to the addition of a ‘0’ before the ‘5’, features a more balanced appearance as each five-minute interval is now marked by two digits. An optimised Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence guarantees maximum legibility in dark conditions. The same material, which is exclusive to Rolex, also fills or coats the hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock and the 3, 6 and 9 numerals, ensuring higher visibility. In a first for the model, its Oyster bracelet, which sees its centre link broadened, comes equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp. The self-winding calibre 3230 nestled within enables the display of hours, minutes and seconds, and offers a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.
OYSTER PERPETUAL DATEJUST 31
F loral-motif dials adorn the three new iterations of the Datejust 31. Each watch, measuring 31 mm i n diameter and equipped with calibre 2236 that of fers approximately 55 hours of power reser ve, features 24 f lowers on its dial. The f lowers’ f inishes – either sunray, matt or grained – distinguish them from one another, with each one further made more prominent thanks to a diamond set into its centre. The f irst new timepiece, with an azzurro blue dial, is a white Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and white gold) f itted with a f luted bezel. The second timepiece, featuring an olive-green dial, is in 18 ct yellow gold and comes on a President bracelet. The third watch presents a silver dial set against Everose Rolesor (a combination of Oystersteel and Everose gold) and is f itted on a Jubilee bracelet. The bezel on each of the second and third watches is set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds.
OYSTER PERPETUAL DAY-DATE 40
For the first time, the Day-Date 40 is presented with a fluted bezel. Making t his even more remarkable is t he fact that it is made of 950 platinum, the same material the watch is crafted from. This marks an impressive technical feat as platinum is a challenging material to work with, hence the need for Rolex to create an innovative new manufacturing process in order to produce the bezel. The fluted bezel, a cornerstone of the brand’s aesthetic heritage that can be found on Classic models in the Oyster Perpetual, h as p reviously o nly b een m ade o f 18 c t gold. Powered by the calibre 3255 with approximately 70 hours of power reserve, the watch remains highly recognisable thanks to its ice-blue dial that displays faceted, deconstructed Roman numerals and faceted index hour markers in 18 ct white gold. A date window is placed at 3 o’clock, while a window displaying the day of the week spelt out in full is located at 12 o’clock.
OYSTER PERPETUAL GMT-MASTER II
An astounding feature of the GMT-Master II is its repositioned crown, which is now located on the left side of the watch’s 40 mm case. Shifting the crown and crown guard to the left, and the date aperture and Cyclops lens to 9 o’clock, is an impressive technical and mechanical feat that echoes the bold, adventurous spirit of the GMT-Master – a watch made for airborne adventures that has evolved into the timepiece of choice for travellers. Also a first for the model is the two-colour monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert in green and black ceramic. With its bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel, traditional hour, minute and seconds hands, and triangle-tipped 24-hour hand, the GMT-Master II is able to simultaneously display the time in two time zones. The watch draws its power from the calibre 3285 that beats within, providing approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 40
A gem-set Yacht-Master 40 greets horophiles this year, its colourful façade inspired by the glow of dawn and the aurora borealis. Trapeze-cut pink sapphire, light blue sapphire, diamond, purple sapphire and dark blue sapphire are arranged in the exact sequence and repeated eight times on the rotatable bezel, with a triangular diamond at 12 o’clock on its intense black dial further accentuating the twinkling hues. The 40 mm case in 18 ct white gold, a f irst for the model, is adorned with 46 diamonds from the lugs to the crown guard. The emblematic nautical timepiece is f itted with calibre 3235, which enables the display of hours, minutes, seconds and date, while of fering approximately 70 hours of power reserve.
OYSTER PERPETUAL YACHT-MASTER 42
Marking a f irst for the Yacht-Master 42, the new version sees it presented in 18 ct yellow gold. The material stands out in vivid contrast against the watch’s black l acquer dial and black Oysterf lex bracelet, resulting i n a majestic aesthetic. The emblematic sailing timepiece, which remains a seaworthy companion with its exceptional features, is equipped with calibre 3235 that of fers approximately 70 hours of power reser ve. Its bidirectional rotatable bezel, f itted with a 60 -minute graduated Cerachrom insert in matt black ceramic, can be turned with ease due to its knurled edge that of fers excellent grip. To allow time inter vals to be read with great precision, t he f irst 15 minutes are graduated minute-by-minute. An optimised Chromalight display enhances visibility; the same luminescent material f ills or coats the hour markers and hands, guaranteeing a longer-lasting intense glow.