As the most popular brand at present, the new products released by Rolex every year will receive special attention. These new products not only reflect the current fashion trends, but also play the role of "wind vane" in the watch industry to a certain extent. Let us review today, what new watches have Rolex released in the past 2021, and how are they currently performing?
DATE JUST
At the Watches & Wonders exhibition in April 2021, Rolex brought a new dial design of the DATE JUST Ref.126200. The most notable feature is the palm leaf pattern intertwined with light and shade in the dial, and uses the most popular green Rolex used as the main color.
Ref.126200
In my impression, palm leaves are also a more popular element in recent years, especially on INS, which are popular with many Internet celebrities. The Datejust is one of Rolex’s oldest and classic models, and the addition of this new dial also helps to change the “old-fashioned” stereotype of the Datejust and appeal to young consumers.
Ref.126231
In addition to the basic model with a smooth outer ring and green surface, the new DJ also has a triangular pit pattern of "wolf tooth ring" and an inter-gold version. Since there are many models, I will not list them one by one. They all have one thing in common, that is, they use a 36mm watch diameter. . As for whether the "Palm Leaf" will add a 41mm diameter in the future, we may as well wait and see.
Ref.126200
However, until now, the response of this new product is still relatively dull. Although there is a premium phenomenon in the secondary market, few watch friends discuss and post the purchase log, and its limelight seems to be dominated by another green dial watch ( Oyster Perpetual) exceeded.
Explorer
The Rolex Explorer type is positioned as a professional outdoor sports watch, and can be divided into two models: "Explorer" and "Explorer II". The Explorer is the most basic three-hand watch, simple and practical without complicated functions. In contrast, the Explorer II has added a 24-hour outer ring and a GMT pointer, and the appearance and function of the watch are more complicated.
Explorer
2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Explorer II series. At the beginning of the year, there were rumors that the series would usher in a major upgrade. This rumor is not groundless, because Rolex does have a tradition of releasing major products on anniversaries (such as the 50th anniversary Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600), and during this period, Social media released so-called "rendered pictures" using ceramic outer rings, which made countless Cousins are looking forward to it.
Ref.226570
However, the final product Ref.226570 poured cold water on everyone. It did not have a huge improvement as rumored. Compared with the previous generation, the movement was replaced from the original Cal.3187 to Cal.3285, and the GMT needle was changed. Fine-tuning the details, more like a conservative regular upgrade.
Ref.124270
Although the new product Explorer II did not give people any surprises, the highlight of the series' upgrades fell on Explorer. First of all, the most intuitive change of Ref.124270 is the diameter of the watch, which has been changed from 39 mm in the previous generation to 36 mm. Although there are two voices of mixed praise and criticism, there is no doubt that the 36 mm is better in terms of look and feel. It is retro and exquisite, and it is more in line with the initial design positioning of the product. It can be said that it is returning to the classic size.
Ref.124273
In addition, the Explorer series is not limited to the use of Oystersteel, for the first time, precious metals have been added to the product. Released alongside Ref.124270 is the gold version Ref.124273. The rose gold bezel and the intermediate gold chain strap reveal a little luxurious style, and the compact 36 mm diameter is very delicate and elegant.
GMT-Master II
Last year, Rolex also added the Oyster chain version for the GMT "Coke Circle" and "Blue and Black Circle", but it is not so much an update as a return to the classic, because in the previous generation of the series Ref.116710 have used the Oyster chain.
Ref.126710BLRO Oyster chain
Except for the different strap styles of the 2021 GMT, the rest of the details are the same as the 2018 Ref.126710BLRO, which can also be simply understood as "changing the strap", which makes people feel that the original design is also a kind of reincarnation. In fact, the controversy between the Oyster chain (also known as the flat three-piece links) and the five-piece links has a long history. In terms of aesthetics and wearing comfort, the two have their own advantages. It is difficult to say who is better than the other, so they have their own loyal supporters. This time, Rolex directly returned the right of choice to the user, and consumers can choose the most suitable version according to their preferences.
126710BLNR five-piece links
It should be noted that the launch of the new Oyster bracelet GMT did not stop the production of the five-piece links version, and the two straps are currently on sale at the same time. They are not iterations of old and new models, but two choices of the same model. Regardless of the premium factor, only from the adjusted public price in 2022, the price of the five-piece links version is more expensive than the Oyster chain. The brand's positioning for the five-piece links is obviously higher than that of the Oyster chain.
sky-dweller
The Sky-Dweller uses a 42 mm diameter, and the series of products contain precious metals, and the materials are luxurious. It is the youngest of many Rolex watches, and it has only been ten years since its debut at the Baselworld 2012.
Rolex Cal.9001 movement
The Sky-Dweller adopts Rolex's iconic triangular pit pattern "wolf tooth ring" design, and is equipped with the Cal.9001 movement specially developed by Rolex for it. It has GMT and annual calendar functions. This is the first Rolex watch with an annual calendar, so It can also be said that it is the most complex series of Rolex.
Ref.326933 and Ref.326934
In 2021, Rolex also updated the Sky-Dweller in a low-key manner. Unlike GMT, where the five-piece links was replaced by an oyster chain, the new Skywalker Ref.326934 was replaced by an oyster chain with a five-piece links . Correspondingly, the gold model Ref.326933 followed update. In addition to the blue dial surface, the Skywalker series has always been popular. At present, in the secondary market, even the prices of black and white dials are on the rise, and it is expected to become the next popular model.
Cosmograph Daytona
Cosmograph Daytona born to race,With chronograph function, the three chronograph small discs are designed with strong contrasting colors and have a high degree of recognition. Coupled with the influence of Paul Newman, Dayton became the "most expensive auction watch in history" in one fell swoop.
Ref.116519LN
Also in 2021, Rolex launched a new meteorite dial Daytona. Meteorite dial are nothing new, and the early models of the series have also been used, but the Daytona was far from being as hot as it is now, until the appearance of the meteorite dial with platinum bezel "Coke ring" really brought this material back to life. Rolex also strikes while the iron is hot, bringing this element back to the Daytona with the ceramic bezel.
Although many meteorites fall to the earth every year, very few can be used for dial processing. Because each piece needs to be sliced and chemically treated to reveal its inner structure and layered effect. After the meteorite is processed, the special texture it presents is also called "Wiedemann cross-angle pattern". Each piece is unique and different. Its addition adds scarcity to Daytona.
Summary: Rolex's new products in 2021, it is "seeking progress while maintaining stability". First of all, no drastic changes have been made in terms of product form, and the ceramic bezel of Explorer II that has been circulated before has failed. Keeping the appearance of the product stable and upgrading the movement can be regarded as stabilizing the basic. On the other hand, the newly designed palm leaf type, and the restart of the meteorite-faced Daytona, let us see its aggressiveness. I also hope that this year, Rolex can bring us more surprises.