One month… That is the time left earlier than the biggest watch truthful, Watches and Wonders Geneva 2023, opens its doorways. And, as a few of you had been anticipating, it’s time for the MONOCHROME staff to get inventive and provide you with its predictions for the upcoming Rolex launches. As soon as once more, Rolex will likely be taking part within the Geneva-based salon since Baselworld is now a factor of the previous. And on March twenty seventh, at round 9 AM within the morning, the Crown will current its 2023 assortment. However for now, it’s time for us to look into our crystal ball and picture what the upcoming watches might be. Similar to our predictions for 2014 – 2015 – 2016 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020 – 2021 – 2022, we’ve been working exhausting to guess and design what the longer term Rolex assortment would possibly appear like. Listed below are our Rolex Predictions 2023, the watches we anticipate Rolex would possibly current this 12 months.
Please be aware 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.
These predictions have turn out to be a ritual for us at MONOCHROME. We love doing them, and we all know that you just, our readers, take pleasure in taking part on this investigation with us. What began as a somewhat light-hearted ritual has now turn out to be extra severe, and we take nice care in producing real looking renderings and correct portrayals of potential fashions. Nonetheless, we nonetheless have nice enjoyable discussing, predicting and designing these potential novelties. However that doesn’t imply that there isn’t logic behind these predictions. We spend a variety of time exploring the present collections in addition to the model’s technique previously to try to provide you with a collection of watches that make sense. We will’t count on the model to launch a redesigned Explorer II or a brand new Air King this 12 months, each being freshly revamped. There’s a logic behind these new launches, and so is there with our Rolex Predictions 2023.
However sufficient background particulars, time for us to have a look at the watches we count on Rolex to current as a part of its 2023 Assortment.
A Titanium Rolex Submariner For the Mannequin’s seventieth Anniversary (126617LB) With Full-Blue Scheme
As we talked about on this article earlier this 12 months, there are many vital jubilees and anniversaries to have a good time this 12 months. One in all them would be the seventieth anniversary of Rolex’s most vital sports activities watch, the Submariner, born in 1953. Rolex has demonstrated in its latest historical past that it may possibly have a good time vital milestones with particular fashions – take into consideration the Fiftieth-anniversary Submariner Kermit reference 16610LV with its inexperienced bezel or the Fiftieth-anniversary Daytona in platinum. Nevertheless, commemorative fashions aren’t at all times made by the model. Nonetheless, for its seventieth anniversary, we count on the Submariner to get a model new model… And one which might be an absolute killer watch!
As a part of these Rolex Predictions 2023, we’re imagining a brand new version of the Submariner Date watch, which may gain advantage from a latest transfer made by the model, the usage of titanium, with an alloy named RLX Titanium, first seen on the mighty and ultra-robust Deepsea Problem 126067 – one of many world’s most spectacular commercially out there dive watches. After all, the usage of titanium on this beast of a watch made full sense attributable to its huge dimensions and the necessity for resistance. However what if Rolex can be prepared to carry a light-weight, extra instrumental-looking version of its cult dive watch…? The outcome, as we envisioned it, is that this watch.
What can we are saying about this potential Rolex Submariner Titanium seventieth Anniversary – which might be the reference 126617LB, in keeping with the standard Rolex nomenclature? Initially, we don’t count on any adjustments concerning the general design and specs. The Submariner, as we all know it right this moment, is a reasonably latest mannequin that was revamped in 2020. The bottom can be the basic Date mannequin, with its 41mm diameter and calibre 3235. The updates would regard the usage of RLX Titanium for the case and bracelet and a brand new color scheme. The color inexperienced, which has as soon as been related to the Fiftieth-anniversary watch, is now a part of the everlasting assortment. So for a change, we determined to carry a full blue model – dial and bezel – as a brand new mixture that isn’t out there now. And since we’re allowed to be inventive, we gave it a crimson Submariner on the dial. And, after all, a completely brushed case and bracelet (however why not some polished bevels on the edges, just like the Deepsea Problem?).
A Full-Inexperienced White Gold Daytona 116509LV for the sixtieth Anniversary
As we defined on this article, there’s one other watch that will likely be celebrating an vital milestone in its historical past this 12 months. Born in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is arising for its sixtieth birthday. Rolex already introduced a devoted Fiftieth-anniversary mannequin in 2013 – the reference 116506, a platinum mannequin with a lightweight blue dial and a brown Cerachrom bezel. The Daytona is arguably essentially the most collectable watch now in your entire model’s portfolio, and a brand new particular version or commemorative mannequin can be, once more, an actual hit in shops (as if the mannequin wanted that…) However what might we think about as a Daytona sixtieth Anniversary?
Nicely, to comply with the custom, a inexperienced watch! It’s, in any case, the model’s signature color, isn’t it? However let’s make one thing unprecedented, lets? Inexperienced isn’t new to the Daytona, as this good-looking color is obtainable along with a yellow gold case and bracelet framed by a refined yellow gold bezel – beneath the reference 116508. In consequence, we’ve got imagined this engaging dial to be fitted into an 18k white gold mannequin with an identical stable gold bracelet… and to make it actually totally different, we carry the LV (lunette verte) to the Daytona with a brand new inexperienced Cerachrom bezel.
Inexperienced on inexperienced on white steel… A daring and fairly sudden mixture that might comply with the model’s thought of getting extra vibrant, extra daring watches in its collections. As for the specs, this potential sixtieth Anniversary Rolex Daytona would follow the standard proportions and be outfitted with the basic calibre 4130 … However we’ve got different concepts for the Daytona too!
A Full Replace of the Daytona – Reference 126520
This might be the massive one… A model new Rolex Daytona for 2023. However why would Rolex replace its most sought-after mannequin? Nicely, in the event you exclude the 2016 replace that added a Cerachrom bezel and black rings across the counters (ref. 116500LN), the Daytona has not modified since 2000. Technically talking, whether or not it’s the case or the motion, the watches out there right this moment are nearly the identical as when Rolex introduced the reference 116520 in 2000 – a mannequin that was most notable for the launch of the in-house computerized chronograph calibre 4130. Twenty-three years have handed with out a main replace to the Daytona, in the event you have a look at issues from a technical perspective. It is likely to be time for adjustments.
What might we count on from a brand new, up to date 2023 Rolex Daytona (doubtlessly reference 126520)? Contemplating the model’s latest technique and looking out on the updates of the Submariner in 2020, the Explorer II in 2021 and the Air King in 2022, we are able to hardly think about Rolex drastically altering its racing chronograph. Evolution somewhat than revolution… That being mentioned, the updates practised on the Submariner revealed the design cues behind the brand new collections: barely bigger instances, a redefined steadiness of the design with bigger bracelets and slimmer lugs, extra trendy mechanics and small changes on the dials. For our new 2023 Daytona, we’d count on minor adjustments to the design, with slimmer lugs, possibly a 41mm diameter with a wider bracelet, and for the sake of getting one thing extra sporty, a comeback of the totally brushed bracelet in addition to brushed prime surfaces of the lugs.
Different updates would come with a return of the metal bezel – with the Cerachrom bezel as an choice – and a panda dial with totally black counters – to carry again the basic 116520 look. The Daytona would (sadly) retain the screwed pushers (sure, we don’t like them at MONOCHROME) in addition to the excessive place of the counters. The bracelet would retain its 5mm Easylink consolation extension and Oysterlock clasp (no want for an replace right here). The query that is still unanswered considerations the motion. What might be performed to an already very highly effective and totally outfitted motion like calibre 4130? It has a Parachrom hairspring, a vertical clutch and a column wheel and shops 72h of power. There’s not a lot room for enchancment, besides if Rolex decides so as to add a date… One thing that has been a subject of dialogue for a few years now.
A Full Gold Rolex Explorer 36mm (124278) for the seventieth Anniversary of the Mannequin
Certainly, there’s a 3rd mannequin celebrating an vital anniversary this 12 months, and it’s the basic Explorer, a watch additionally born in 1953 and turning 70 this 12 months. The watch was revamped in 2021 when Rolex launched the brand new Oystersteel 124270 and Rolesor 124273. And importantly, the Explorer 1 returned to its authentic measurement of 36mm – fairly a daring transfer from Rolex to downsize a watch from 39 to 36mm. This replace was additionally the event to carry modernity to the mechanics with the calibre 3230. And sure, aside from the basic metal model, Rolex made a questionable transfer when it launched a two-tone Rolesor (metal and 18k yellow gold) version, understanding that valuable metals have by no means been used on the Explorer in its complete historical past.
Now, the mannequin is celebrating its seventieth anniversary, and as a part of our Rolex Predictions 2023, we determined to go full gold… And why not? Now that there’s a bi-metal model, every little thing goes, even a stable 18k yellow gold Rolex Explorer 36mm. Understanding that Rolex could be very eager on pushing valuable metals nowadays, it could even make sense commercially. The replace right here would solely concern the supplies used for the case, bezel and bracelet, which might all be made totally of yellow gold. The dial, nonetheless shiny black and that includes utilized markers and numerals in gold, would stay equivalent to the one discovered on the Rolesor reference 124273.
This Rolex Explorer seventieth Anniversary would carry the reference 124278 (the 8 being the quantity related to yellow gold within the Rolex assortment) and can be a part of the everlasting assortment – there aren’t any limited-edition fashions at Rolex except, after all, there’s a full change of technique. Surprisingly, the mixture of this luxury, heat and daring steel with a compact case and a black, smooth, sporty dial is somewhat interesting. There’s one thing cool to this watch, greater than we wish to admit…
Our Dream Explorer 36mm 124270 Polar White
For those who’ve learn our earlier prediction articles, you ought to be conversant in this watch… We’ve been utilizing these predictions as a way of getting Rolex to create this watch. We’ve been predicting (or truly wishing for) this look ahead to a number of years now, and we all know the probabilities to see it coming are low. However one can nonetheless dream, proper?
So right here we’re once more this 12 months with our newest interpretation of the Rolex Explorer Polar dial, primarily based, after all, on the most recent era of this mannequin, with a 36mm case. The thought is somewhat easy; utilizing the bottom of the reference 124270 and altering the dial to a white one would create a mirror picture of the basic black model. The entire idea isn’t only a figment of our creativeness, as such white dials have existed previously – see this extraordinarily uncommon instance as soon as auctioned by Christie’s, primarily based on a classic reference 6610. And regardless that this white dial Rolex Explorer is undoubtedly a unicorn, we are able to nonetheless dream of it coming again into customary manufacturing in a contemporary form.
And for the reason that closest you may get previously to this watch, the Oyster Perpetual 39 White Dial reference 114300, is now not a part of the up to date OP assortment, there’s room for a white dial Explorer. And once more, as soon as one has performed a two-tone Explorer, every little thing might be performed…
A Needed Replace of the Rolex Milgauss (126400GV)
Final 12 months, once we revealed our predictions for the 2022 assortment, we made it very clear already that 2 fashions wanted to be up to date. First, there was the Air King, which has been revamped final 12 months with a newly designed case and an up to date motion. Second was the Milgauss. And since Rolex hasn’t modified its anti-magnetic watch but, we nonetheless imagine that this comparatively confidential mannequin must be up to date quickly. The Milgauss as we all know it right this moment is without doubt one of the final fashions to be powered by a motion from the 31xx era, and aside from slight color adjustments, it hasn’t been up to date since 2007. This has to vary, and shortly. The primary purpose, moreover the implementation of a 32xx motion, is the truth that the competitors gives way more superior applied sciences on the aspect of anti-magnetism. This is a vital subject of the business at the moment, and Rolex has been overwhelmed truthful and sq. by Omega with its Grasp Chronometer certification. Omega gives resistance to fifteen,000 gauss on most of its watches, whereas the extent of magnetic resistance provided by the Milgauss is identical since its launch in 1954 (Mille Gauss, that means 1,000 gauss).
We actually suppose Rolex ought to strike again with a serious accomplishment within the area of magnetic resistance. It has to, to be able to keep related… Even entry-level watches from Mido, Tissot or Hamilton provide higher resistance to magnetism with the Nivachron expertise. Even Tudor has been experimenting with the Grasp Chronometer certification. Moreover a beauty evolution of the Milgauss, we count on Rolex to return with one thing spectacular… We keep in mind a serious innovation: a motion that isn’t magnetic-resistant to a sure stage however totally, totally AMAGNETIC. And by amagnetic, we’re referring to a watch and motion which are completely impervious to magnetic fields. For that, Rolex would both have to adapt its calibre 3230, through the use of silicon and non-ferrous components. Or possibly develop a wholly new calibre. And we all know the ability of Rolex in terms of R&D.
Visually, and following the replace of the Air King (which has lengthy been carefully associated to the Milgauss), we count on the brand new anti-magnetic watch to depend on an equivalent case form, with the newly-presented crown guards. For the remainder, we imagine in some updates on the dial, nonetheless, holding the basics alive, such because the distinctive and oddly-cool inexperienced sapphire, and the signature lightning-shaped orange seconds hand. Additionally, this new version – which might be the reference 126400GV – would profit from extra angular lugs, a barely thinner bezel and shoulders, a wider bracelet, and a bigger dial opening (all discovered on the Air King). And since we imagine within the anti-magnetism due to the motion and never due to an internal cage anymore, this is able to imply a thinner case altogether.
Lastly, this evolution of the Milgauss would decide up on latest codes of the model, with double markers however nonetheless the basic orange accents. All in all, a watch that must be up to date on all ranges… And totally on the recent subject of anti-magnetism.
The Comeback of the Rolex Day-Date Tridor Bracelet
For the final of our 2023 predictions, we’ve determined to go wild… To do one thing that has as soon as existed, and that a lot of you may need forgotten, or just by no means heard of. After all, we made it extra trendy, however nonetheless, the thought was to carry again a typical Eighties look, and never a two-tone model, however a 3-tone model… We’re speaking concerning the so-called Day-Date Tridor watches, which suggests the usage of white, rose and yellow gold on a single watch. The thought, again when these watches had been produced (late-Nineteen Seventies to early-Nineties) was that of a white gold Day-Date, blended with a yellow-gold fluted bezel and worn on a President bracelet in white gold, with a central hyperlink alternating bands of rose, yellow, and white gold. And sometimes, a gold-toned champagne dial too. You may’t do extra Gordon Gekko than that…
Now, why are we bringing it again? There’s a little bit of logic behind the return of the Rolex Day-Date Tridor. Initially, the Eighties are clearly on the rise and we’ve seen many fashions impressed by the flamboyance of this period. Second, Rolex is pushing exhausting on multi-tone watches lately, with textures and gold tones throughout. Trying on the model’s web site, you’ll be able to see a number of Rolesor fashions marketed because the hero watch. Lastly, only for the sake of being daring and flashy. And even Rolex has to embrace this love of youthful generations for flashy objects.
The thought for the return of the Tridor idea is sort of easy. It will be primarily based on a Day-Date 40 reference 228239 (40mm, white gold) with an up to date rose gold bezel (barely extra discreet than the yellow gold on the unique Nineteen Seventies model), and with a champagne-toned dial utilizing both Roman numerals or baton markers. After all, the primary replace can be the white gold President bracelet, with a central hyperlink with 5 bands in rose, yellow and white gold. The chance to see the Day-Date Tridor is low, however nonetheless, it has its personal attraction.
Observe: This Rolex Predictions 2023 article is predicated on our personal Photoshop mock-ups; Rolex has supplied nothing formally. These are predictions primarily based on our creativeness and expectations. All photos are beneath license of MONOCHROME and shouldn’t be used with out settlement or copyright (©Monochrome-Watches, 2023).
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