Rolex Drops Precious-Metal Hits and a New GMT-Master II at Watches and Wonders 2024

The buzz of Watches and Wonders 2024 is upon us, and with that comes an assortment of new Rolex watches for 2024. Surprise, surprise, none of the forecasted “predictions” that were making the rounds came true; there’s no Coke Bezel GMT, no new titanium-cased watches, nor is there an updated Milgauss for 2024. It’s a year of technical updates at Rolex rather than big redesigns, though the year’s offering isn’t short on things to talk about.

Rolex Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

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Rolex Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

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Rolex Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

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Rolex Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

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Rolex Deepsea Ref. 136668LB

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In true go-bit-or-go-home fashion, this new Rolex Deepsea is the eye-catcher of the pack. 44mm across, with a vibrant blue dial paired to an 18ct yellow gold case and oyster bracelet, this is yet another adaptation of Rolex’s hardcore tool watches embracing precious metals to suit market demands. Yes, it’s a serious dive watch, but much like the Submariner, its typical buyer/wearer isn’t a professional diver these days. Adding to its aesthetic appeal, the brand’s patented ring lock system is now finished in a blue anodization that matches its dial, making the piece that much more cohesive aesthetically. On the technical side, this is also the first time we’re seeing the use of titanium on a Deepsea, as its caseback and helium escape valve are both cut from RLX Titanium.

Rolex Perpetual 1908

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Rolex Perpetual 1908

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Rolex Perpetual 1908

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Rolex Perpetual 1908

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Rolex Sky-Dweller

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Rolex Sky-Dweller

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Rolex Sky-Dweller

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Alongside the Deepsea, a new Sky-Dweller has landed in both Everose and yellow gold configurations, being fitted with a jubilee bracelet for the first time. The jubilee bracelet is more popular than ever, and thus its appearance on the Sky-Dweller is of little surprise. Meanwhile, the platinum offering of the pack — a new Perpetual 1908 dress watch — was at least a touch less expected. An expansion of the new dress watch line wasn’t necessarily unexpected on its own, however the use of a guilloché dial certainly was. The last that comes to mind was in the Cellini line in the early 2000s, if memory serves correctly. As always with Rolex, a platinum case means an ice blue dial, which is quite dramatic in contrast to last year’s Perpetual 1908 models.

Those who were pining for a new GMT-Master II weren’t entirely left out in the cold in 2024, thankfully, as Rolex revealed a new and understated reference for the frequent travellers. The new reference (the 126710GRNR, for those wondering) maintains the green GMT hand from the lefty variant that made our favourites list in 2023, pairing it with a black and grey ceramic bezel insert. Far more of a sleeper than last year’s model, however also a watch that will no doubt remain hard to acquire from Rolex retailers.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

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Rolex Day-Date

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Rolex Sky-Dweller

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Rolex Day-Date

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Rolex Day-Date

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Rolex Sky-Dweller

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Unfortunately, the one sneaky release of the year that we most wanted to show you is one that is an off-catalog offering that wasn’t shown in most press meetings, and one that Rolex isn’t sharing supplied imagery of. Last year’s buzzy Le Mans Daytona has a new sibling that you’re going to want to look for: a yellow gold Le Mans Daytona with a black dial, cream coloured subdials, a ceramic bezel, and an oyster bracelet. If we’re lucky enough, we’ll bring you all a hands-on review a little later in the year when the scarce few examples make it into Canada. Trust us, it will be worth it.