Monochrome Monday: 5 Watches We Hope to See From Rolex at Baselworld 2014


Rolex GMT-Master II - Pepsi Cerachrom bezelWelcome to our first “Monochrome Monday,” in which the WatchTime blog presents articles, reviews, and exclusive watch-industry interviews from the popular online magazine monochrome-watches.com. In our inaugural article, Monochrome founder Frank Geelen and his team hope and speculate on what Rolex might have in store for its fans at this year’s Baselworld watch fair.

Going on several decades now, the new Rolex watches making their debut at the Baselworld watch fair have been one of the watch world’s best-kept secrets leading up to the event. With just a few weeks to go before the start of Baselworld 2014, watch enthusiasts around the world are speculating what Rolex’s newest models will look like. Two years ago, Monochrome brought you the news about the likely debut of a “Sky-Dweller” watch and that proved to be a correct prediction — at least for the name, because nobody had a clue what the watch would look like. Last year, we hoped in vain for a new Rolex GMT-Master with a “Pepsi” (red/blue) ceramic bezel. So, another year, another Baselworld, another chance to make a correct call… here we go again!

Here at Monochrome HQ, we’ve had some pretty intense discussion about the new models we’d like to see Rolex introduce. A GMT-Master II with a Cerachrom “Pepsi” bezel is still top on everyone’s wish list. Beyond that, we would also love to see a modern remake of the Ref. 6263 Daytona, a remake of the Sea-Dweller, a blue-dial Milgauss, and a stainless steel Sky-Dweller. And thanks to the magic of Photoshop, we can take a look at what each might look like.

 

Rolex Daytona Ref. 116263

Rolex Daytona Ceramic Panda dial

Cerachrom bezels seem to be the latest trend for Rolex. They have some superior properties, including being virtually scratch-resistant and the ability to keep their color forever without fading. They are almost impossible to replace with after-market parts, which is an advantage for Rolex.

So let’s imagine a revival of one of the coolest watches that Rolex ever made, the Daytona 6263 Big Red. In short: “Panda” dial, red “Daytona” text, screwed pushers, and a black bezel. It would have the same case as last year’s platinum Daytona, but in stainless steel and with a ceramic bezel in black. Add to that the famous white face with black subdial configuration, which Rolex enthusiasts have nicknamed the “Panda” dial. To stay as close to the original 6263 as possible, we’d remove the five lines of text on the current dial and replace it with simply “Rolex – Oyster – Cosmograph.” How cool would that be?

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  1. Concur with Colin. Increase the diameter of your bezel; 44 to 48. Look at the Oyster Pertual DateJust ; the one with a Jubilee bracelet , gold and silver . The bezel is only 36mm. It is a classic. Should appear in DateJust 2 with a bigger bezel and in a jubilee strap.

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  2. Would like to see some more 42mm cases. I bought the new Explorer 2 last year and the 42mm size is perfect. Either a GMT, Daytona, Sub or Seadweller in a 42mm would be great. Would love to see the “Pepsi” come back as well although that bracelet shows fingerprints from across the room.

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  3. I would love to see more dials for the Datejust. I am quite puzzled as to why Rolex has so limited the number of dials fro choose from. They discontinue won of the most beautiful dials – the blue concentric. However, they don’t bother to replace it with another new design.

    Imagine being a Rolex guy like me who would spend the money on a new Datejust, but simply can’t because they don’t bother to reach out to their customers and ask.

    As much as I love my Rolex watches (I own five), I am afraid they will be in trouble if they don’t come out with some designs. Also, putting a new colour on the GMT II and then charging even more for it is not the answer. You fine gents in Geneva can do better than that!

    NOTE TO ROLEX – wasting your time with revamping Tudor is/was a gargantuan mistake. The Tudor line looks subpar and cheap and is an ugly line. DUMP IT NOW! Don’t dilute the Rolex name and image!

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  4. These are all great proposals, frankly.
    Personnaly I would appreciate to find this new sea dweller with minutes’ index all around the bezel, and not only for the first quarter.
    I would also appreciate to see a GMT III with the month indicators of the sky dweller. This would be sober and would allow to have an annual calendar.
    And for all new Rolex, at last, an anti reflective coating.
    That’s all for my wish list :-)

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  5. Bernard Caulfield

    On the face of it at least, the Rolex Sky Dweller appears an unfussy, if not understated timepiece. What then, gives the watch the crown of Rolex’s most complicated timepiece?

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  6. Roadster

    I need them to make a 75mm Daytona so I can use it to dangle on my white gold necklace….yeahhh buoyy!!!…like flavour flave…lol

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  7. S.E.Boyle

    Rolex! I understand most of the movement is made by Zenith? Look at the El Primo and Daytona, same watch? Different name.

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  8. BadgerHeel

    Wow I’d jump all over that Daytona. I think it would create a huge stir.

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  9. Rolex fanboys are at it again, ever amusing in their incredibly disproportionate worship of a brand whose highest distinction is perhaps the robustness of its timepieces.
    All for the better, we would’t want the zealotry and cash be thrown in the direction of actual watch makers, like say JLC.

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  10. Colin Agar-Rea

    Please Mr Rolex can we have a 48 or 50mm case…Please..x

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