Rolex Baselword 2019: New Watches To Discover
Baselworld, the most-awaited event for all watch lovers.
In case you didn’t know, Baselworld is a week-long event where dozens of brands showcase their new releases. One of those brands is Rolex.
Rolex is all about the detail and small changes make for a surprisingly large impact, as the Swiss watchmaker's new designs reveal.
Presenting the 6 new Rolex watches for 2019:
- Yacht Master 42
- Sea-Dweller
- GMT-Master II
- Day-Date 36
- Datejust 36
- Datejust 31
Yacht Master 42
The Watch of the Open Seas Rolex is extending its Yacht‑Master range with a new 42 mm model: the Oyster Perpetual Yacht‑Master 42.
Features:
1. High-Technology Ceramic
On the Yacht-Master 42, the bidirectional rotatable bezel is fitted with a 60-minute graduated Cerachrom bezel insert in matt black ceramic. Its raised graduations and numerals are first moulded into the ceramic and then polished.
2. Chromalight Display Like all Rolex Professional watches, the Yacht‑Master 42 offers exceptional legibility in all circumstances, and especially in the dark, thanks to its Chromalight display. The broad hands and hour markers are filled with a luminescent material emitting a long-lasting glow.
3. Oysterflex Bracelet and Oysterlock Safety Clasp The Yacht-Master 42 is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. The Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with a Rolex-designed Oysterlock folding safety clasp which prevents accidental opening.
4. Perpetual Calibre 3235 The Yacht-Master 42 is equipped with calibre 3235. This self-winding mechanical movement offers fundamental gains in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks and magnetic fields, convenience and reliability.
Sea-Dweller
The Watch of the Deep
Rolex is introducing an Oyster Perpetual Sea Dweller in a yellow Rolesor version, combining Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold. This new watch brings 18 ct yellow gold to the Sea Dweller range for the first time.
Features:
1. Underwater Exploration Tool The Sea-Dweller was designed in collaboration with the pioneers of professional deep-sea diving, who spent extended periods underwater. This ultra-resistant tool watch accompanied the first experimental underwater habitat programmes.
2. High-Technology Ceramic Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and monobloc bezel inserts. Not only are these new materials extremely corrosion-resistant and virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and unaffected by ultraviolet rays.
3. Oyster Case and Helium Escape Valve A paragon of robustness and reliability, the Oyster case of the Sea-Dweller is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 1,220 metres (4,000 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant Oystersteel.
4. Perpetual Calibre 3235 The new version of the Sea-Dweller is equipped with calibre 3235, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
GMT-Master II
The Cosmopolitan Watch
Rolex is presenting a new version of the Oyster Perpetual GMT‑Master II with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a two-colour 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in blue and black ceramic.
Features:
1. One Instrument, Several Time Zones Designed as a navigation aid for professionals criss-crossing the globe, over time the GMT-Master became the watch of choice for travelers.
2. High-Technology Ceramic Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special ceramics for creating mono-bloc bezels and mono-bloc bezel inserts. Not only are these new materials extremely corrosion-resistant and virtually scratch-proof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and unaffected by ultraviolet rays.
3. Jubilee Bracelet and Oysterlock Safety Clasp This version of the GMT-Master II is fitted with a Jubilee bracelet. Supple and comfortable, the five-piece link Jubilee bracelet was specially created for the launch of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust model in 1945.
4. Perpetual Calibre 3285 The new version of the GMT-Master II is equipped with calibre 3285, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
Day-Date 36
The Watch of Prestige
Rolex is introducing the new generation of its Oyster Perpetual Day‑Date 36, available in 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold with distinctive new dials and gem-set bezels on some versions.
Features:
1. Exclusivity At its launch in 1956, the Day-Date was a major innovation: it was the first calendar wristwatch to indicate, in addition to the date, the day of the week spelt out in full in an arc-shaped window at 12 o’clock – a technical feat at the time.
2. Noval Dial Design with a Concentric Gradient Of the new combinations, two feature a novel dial design with a concentric gradient: the first, in 18 ct yellow gold, is presented with a green ombré dial; the second, in 18 ct Everose gold, with a brown ombré dial.
3. Waterproof Oyster Case A paragon of robustness and elegance, the Oyster case of the Day-Date 36 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold.
4. Perpetual Calibre 3255 The new versions of the Day-Date 36 are equipped with calibre 3255, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
Datejust 36
The Watch with Everlasting Appeal
Rolex is introducing two new variants of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 – both white Rolesor versions (combining Oystersteel and 18 ct white gold).
Features:
1. Timeless Style Rolex’s Datejust is the archetype of the classic watch thanks to functions and aesthetics that never go out of fashion. Launched in 1945, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial, and consolidated all the major innovations that Rolex had contributed to the modern wristwatch until then. The Datejust has spanned eras while retaining the enduring aesthetic codes that make it so instantly recognizable.
2. Two Variants The first version has a refined, black sunray-finish dial and fluted bezel, while the second combines a white mother-of-pearl dial with 10 diamond hour markers in 18 ct white gold settings and a bezel set with 52 brilliant-cut diamonds. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the elegant profile of the 36 mm Oyster case.
3. Waterproof Oyster Case A paragon of robustness and elegance, the Oyster case of the Datejust 36 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant Oystersteel.
4. Perpetual Calibre 3235 The new versions of the Datejust 36 are equipped with calibre 3235, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
Datejust 31
The Watch with Enduring Elegance
Rolex is introducing two new variants of the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 – one in a yellow Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and 18 ct yellow gold), and the other in an Everose Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and 18 ct Everose gold).
Features:
1. Timeless Style Rolex’s Datejust is the archetype of the classic watch thanks to functions and aesthetics that never go out of fashion. Launched in 1945, it was the first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window at 3 o’clock on the dial, and consolidated all the major innovations that Rolex had contributed to the modern wristwatch until then. The Datejust has spanned eras while retaining the enduring aesthetic codes that make it so instantly recognizable.
2. Everlasting Appeal The first watch pairs an olive green, sunray-finish dial with 18 ct yellow gold hands and Roman numerals – the VI set with 11 diamonds – while the second features a rosé-colour, sunray-finish dial with hands and Roman numerals in 18 ct pink gold. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the elegant profile of the 31 mm Oyster case, which is fitted with a fluted bezel.
3. Waterproof Oyster Case A paragon of robustness and elegance, the Oyster case of the Datejust 31 is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant Oystersteel.
4. Perpetual Calibre 2236 The new versions of the Datejust 31 are equipped with calibre 2236, a new-generation movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex.
Conclusion
For a long time, Rolex never fails to amaze us with timeless elegance in their watches and yet they continue to upgrade them with details and small changes. Personally, my top pick from these new releases is the GMT-Master II. It is perfect for travellers as it can display the time in two time zones simultaneously. Additionally, who would love the supple and comfortable Jubilee bracelet? How about you, what’s your top pick?
