It’s that point of the 12 months once more when the MONOCHROME group seems to be right into a crystal ball and comes up with its predictions for the upcoming Rolex launches. Importantly this 12 months, the brand new Rolex 2022 fashions can be offered bodily at Watches & Wonders Geneva. And because the honest will begin on March thirtieth, we’re within the beginning blocks for the present and prepared for a spread of latest fashions. With out shock, probably the most anticipated novelties of the 12 months would be the new Rolex watches. Similar to our predictions for 2014 – 2015 – 2016 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020 – 2021, we’ve been working onerous to guess and design what the long run Rolex assortment would possibly appear to be. Listed here are our Rolex Predictions 2022, the watches we anticipate Rolex would possibly current this 12 months.
Please observe that this text is a figment of our creativeness. These are simply predictions. Nothing is official. It’s primarily based on our personal expectations and analyses.
Guessing which fashions Rolex would possibly launch – initially at Baselworld and now at Watches &Wonders Geneva – has develop into a sort of ritual for us at MONOCHROME. It’s one thing we really take pleasure in doing and which we all know can be extremely anticipated by our readers. We actually take it extra significantly now than we used to within the early years, but we nonetheless have nice enjoyable discussing, predicting and designing these potential novelties. However it additionally requires analysis and loads of time in Photoshop to carry you these practical renderings. We additionally spend loads of time exploring the present collections in addition to the model’s technique up to now to attempt to provide you with a collection of watches that make sense. We actually can’t count on Rolex to launch a brand new Explorer this 12 months or redesign the Submariner assortment fully. There’s a logic behind these new launches, and so is there with our Rolex Predictions 2022.
Making an allowance for the collections which are much less in style (if ever there was such a factor nowadays with Rolex) or fashions that haven’t been up to date but with the subsequent 32XX era of actions, listed here are the watches we count on Rolex to current at Watches & Wonders 2022.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – A brand new Technology of Rolex Milgauss (126400GV) with new amagnetic expertise
One of many final watches in Rolex’s assortment to be outfitted with a motion from the 31XX era is the Milgauss of 2007. In 2014, Rolex launched the Z-blue model with a blue dial. Aside from that, it hasn’t modified. To us, it’s time for the Crown to vary this example. And for a lot of causes. To start with, the watch is now barely outdated in comparison with the remainder of the fashions with its thick case/lugs/bezel. Second, its motion is sort of previous. Lastly, and most significantly, anti-magnetism is a significant subject nowadays, and Rolex has been overwhelmed honest and sq. by Omega with its Grasp Chronometer certification. We count on Rolex to strike again with a significant accomplishment within the subject of magnetic resistance. This might even imply that the title “Milgauss” (tailored from mille gauss, the French for a thousand gauss), the extent of magnetic resistance provided since its launch in 1954, can be irrelevant to the product. However we insist: the Milgauss (the watch and the title) needs to be stored alive.
Rolex has already began experimenting with Grasp Chronometer certification with its sister firm Tudor, offering expertise that mixes chronometer score and spectacular resistance to magnetism. This could possibly be a means ahead for the evolution of the Milgauss. We image Rolex adapting its calibre 3230 with new, extremely anti-magnetic elements to face up to the 15,000 gauss check of METAS, eliminating the necessity for an internal soft-iron or delicate metal cage.
Nonetheless, at MONOCHROME, we’re anticipating one thing even bolder. We take note of a significant innovation: a motion that isn’t magnetic-resistant to a sure stage however totally, fully AMAGNETIC. And by amangetic, we’re referring to a watch and motion which are completely impervious to magnetic fields. It might be one thing unprecedented and altogether novel within the watch trade, and an indication of the supremacy of Rolex when it comes to R&D.
Relating to the design of the watch, we’ve imagined our 2022 Rolex Milgauss 126400GV in a considerably conservative key. The case would use the bottom of the Oyster Perpetual 41, thus with a barely enlarged diameter however slimmer proportions (lugs and bezel) than the present reference 116400GV. And because the watch wouldn’t depend on an internal cage anymore to withstand magnetic fields, the case would even be far thinner than up to now. As for the dial, our 2022 Rolex Milgauss 126400GV would decide up on current codes of the model, with double markers however nonetheless the basic orange accents, lightning-shaped seconds hand and the oddly engaging glace verte or green-tinted sapphire crystal. And since we’re speaking a couple of skilled mannequin, we’d prefer it to be fully brushed, mid-links included.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – A brand new Assortment for the Rolex Air-King, again to the roots
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King was once a discreet but appreciated mannequin within the model’s assortment. A easy, strong and sporty mannequin, the Air-King has lengthy been seated subsequent to the Oyster Perpetual and the Explorer. Nonetheless, since 2016, this watch has come to occupy a quite particular place within the portfolio. And to us, it’s excessive time for a change. There are numerous explanation why the present Air-King 116900 needs to be changed. First, it makes use of an older case design and the calibre 3131. Second, the odd-looking dial has not made this watch a industrial success. Lastly, the present Air-King was impressed by a bespoke set of devices made by Rolex aboard a Bloodhound SSC, an try at a record-breaking automobile. However the partnership doesn’t exist anymore.
As a part of our Rolex Predictions 2022, we’ve imagined a brand new Air-King assortment that returns to its roots. Previously, the Rolex Air-King was an entry-level watch with a small 34mm case and a sportier really feel than the classical Oyster Perpetual. And most of us will undoubtedly bear in mind the Nineteen Nineties fashions with the 3-6-9 Explorer utilized markers. And with this in thoughts, right here’s our potential 2022 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King. To start with, to fill a void within the assortment, we’ve determined to present it a 39mm case, positioned between the 36mm Explorer 124270 and the 41mm Oyster Perpetual 124300. This watch would use present design components with a thinner bezel and extra tapered lugs.
The dial of this new 2022 Rolex Air-King would even be extra in keeping with the watch’s former persona. One thing much less instrumental than the Explorer, however one thing sportier and extra critical than the OP. The Air-King is, in spite of everything, a mannequin meant for aviation. As such, we’d give it some discreet touches of color, alongside the strains of the darkish blue mannequin right here, however nothing like the brilliant OP watches. And, as up to now, it combines conventional baton arms with the signature 3-6-9 utilized markers, handled with luminous materials. Naturally, the brand new calibre 3230 would energy the watch.
And since our founder Frank has a deep craving to make a white “polar” model of the brand new Air-King, and since we all know that there isn’t a snowball’s probability in hell that Rolex would produce a white dial for its Explorer, we’ve created a white mock-up. However admittedly, it actually does look good!
Rolex predictions 2022 – The Rolex Yacht-Grasp 42 Titanium no-date on Oysterflex
Just a few months in the past, we got here throughout a quite particular prototype (first noticed by Jake at Rolex Journal), a titanium version of the Yacht-Grasp 42 worn by Sir Ben Ainslie. Rolex has by no means used titanium to make a whole watch. Interval! Till the invention of this prototype, a No-Date YM with a matte titanium case. Evidently Rolex was going again to its roots with experimental watches, testing purpose-built fashions in real-life situations. Ainslie has been noticed on a number of events with this watch, together with in the course of the 2021 Prada Cup. The watch in query was an instrumental tackle this white gold model, made in an alloy named RLX Titanium, with a matte dial and no date.
Having noticed this watch within the wild impressed us to adapt the idea to a regular version obtainable to most people. So right here’s what could possibly be the first-ever commercialized Rolex titanium watch, a sporty, toned-down Yacht-Grasp 42 Titanium. The best way we’ve envisioned this watch is comparatively easy: a 42mm case in a matte, darker titanium tone, but an identical in form and proportions to the white gold model. The textured bezel with its raised scale would even be retained. Along with having a time-only show, the dial would additionally show a brand new matte texture and arms matching the color/materials of the case.
Under deck, we’d discover the basic calibre 3230, shared with the Submariner 124060. And to proceed with the nautical/regatta vocation, this model could possibly be worn on the model’s very good Oysterflex rubber bracelet – we don’t actually count on Rolex to launch a textile NATO strap… This fashion, this Rolex Yacht-Grasp 42 Titanium No-Date might recuperate the sporty credentials of the YM assortment whereas nonetheless being completely different from the Submariner.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – The tenth Anniversary Rolex Sky-Dweller Platinum
This 12 months, the Sky-Dweller, probably the most advanced watch Rolex has ever created, celebrates its tenth anniversary. Launched in 2012, this mannequin combines a GMT operate and an annual calendar, all ingeniously actuated by the “Ring Command”, a rotating bezel. With 11 patents and a number of indications, the great thing about the Sky-Dweller is its mixture of advanced mechanics and its extremely user-friendly interface.
To have a good time the tenth anniversary of this high-end mannequin, we’ve imagined it in platinum, probably the most valuable of metals, which might be used for the case, the bezel and the bracelet. And in typical Rolex custom, it might be paired with a lightweight blue dial. If Rolex did introduce such a watch, it might be costly (within the excessive 60k), and manufacturing can be low, as with most Rolexes in platinum.
We don’t count on extra modifications concerning the opposite particulars of the tenth Anniversary Rolex Sky-Dweller Platinum. The dials have been already up to date in 2017 with the launch of the metal and Rolesor fashions, and so they do look good as they’re. However with this gentle blue dial, there’s little question that Rolex would have successful watch in its assortment.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – The Rolex GMT-Grasp II COKE Bezel 126710RONR
This mock-up responds extra to a want and a collector’s dream than a possible launch. However anyway, we prefer to suppose that elevating the subject once more will give the creation groups on the Crown some hints. Whereas some wish to see the comeback of the basic full-black bezel on the GMT-Grasp II, we all know for a incontrovertible fact that the mannequin will solely be obtainable with two-tone bezels – and that’s what Rolex informed us after they launched the Pepsi and discontinued the black model. The gathering now includes, no less than for the chrome steel fashions, the black-and-blue 126710BLNR “Batman” and the red-and-blue 126710BLRO “Pepsi”, each obtainable both on Jubilee or Oyster bracelets.
We’d prefer to think about Rolex digging in its archives and bringing again the historic black-and-red bezel nicknamed “Coke” by collectors. Other than this new color scheme, which incorporates (after all) a red-coloured GMT hand, the potential 126710RONR can be an identical to the BLNR and BLRO fashions, with a 40mm metal case, black dial and calibre 3285. One other potential possibility for this Coke model could possibly be a white gold case, changing the white gold Pepsi with a blue dial reference 126719BLRO. In that case, the white gold Pepsi would solely be obtainable with a silver meteorite dial.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – The Rolex Submariner Date Rolesor Inexperienced dial and bezel 126613LV
These predictions are additionally a means for us to check doable combos and picture unprecedented fashions. We all know that Rolex is, by and enormous, a quite conservative watchmaker. But, on some events, the model might be daring. And Rolex does play rather a lot with supplies and color combos. So, to finish the Submariner Date assortment launched in 2020, we’ve imagined a brand new Rolesor (steel-and-gold) mannequin to be launched alongside the present Blue Rolesor 126613LB and Black Rolesor 126613LN. And for that, we gave our imaginary reference 126613LV a steel-and-gold (yellow) case with a inexperienced ceramic bezel and an identical dial – a theme that evokes the 116610LV Hulk watch.
This mixture of a Rolesor case/bracelet with a brilliant inexperienced dial and bezel is undoubtedly hanging, however it’s actually in keeping with a number of the model’s extra vibrant and daring launches of late. Aside from that, our potential imaginative and prescient of the 2022 Rolex Submariner Date 126613LV would retain all of the attributes of the gathering launched in 2020, with an an identical motion, case and bracelet.
Rolex Predictions 2022 – The Rolex Daytona Rolesor Ceramic Bezel 116513LN
We end our predictions with a Daytona in a model that we now have been anticipating for a number of years now: the ceramic Rolesor. Following the course taken in 2016 with the chrome steel 116500LN, in addition to the gold and platinum editions bearing this contrasting ceramic bezel, we’ve been anticipating this type to hit the steel-and-gold variations for a very long time… however it by no means made it to the gathering, regardless of bringing a much more trendy search for the Rolesor Daytona.
Utilizing the basic reference 116503 as a base, the model solely has to do one factor to make the two-tone Daytona much more engaging: add the ceramic bezel discovered on the gold variations. There’s no want to vary anything. Gold would nonetheless be used for the crown/pushers and the bracelet’s mid-links. However with a black ceramic bezel, the Daytona Rolesor would have a extra up to date look and could possibly be barely extra accessible too.
Notice: This Rolex Predictions 2022 article is predicated on our personal Photoshop mock-ups; Rolex has offered nothing formally. These are predictions primarily based on our creativeness and expectations. All pictures are beneath license of MONOCHROME and shouldn’t be used with out settlement or copyright (©Monochrome-Watches, 2022).
For those who appreciated this Rolex Predictions 2022 article, we’d love to listen to your ideas and reactions. Please use the remark field under. You can even share by way of our Fb web page and Instagram account (@monochromewatches).
https://monochrome-watches.com/rolex-predictions-2022-new-rolex-models-2022-rolex-watches-wonders-2022-gmt-coke-new-milgauss-new-air-king-new-daytona-rolesor-new-two-tone-submariner-yacht-master-titanium/