Watches & Wonders 2022 is a big event for watch aficionados in general but especially for Rolex fans, it’s like Christmas. Along with its sister company, Tudor, reclusive Rolex has opened the floodgates and revealed a spread of new timepieces that riff on its heritage designs.
Perhaps the biggest of the bunch is the revamped GMT-Master II, sporting a crown on the left side of its face and a new bi-color design (what to call it — Heineken?).
But that’s just the tip of the glossy iceberg, which includes everything from covetable new Yacht-Masters to a classy platinum Day-Date 40.
Rolex Perpetual Air-King
Though some of Rolex’s most famous timepieces stole the spotlight at W&W 2022, the luxury watchmaker didn’t forget its Professional line.
Its new Air-King sports a revamped façade that’s more streamlined than the prior model. Rather than taking cues from aircraft instruments like its predecessor, the 2022 Air-King now boasts a more legible dial bolstered by a “0” placed before the minutes scale “5.”
Rolex also straightened the sides and added a crown guard and a subtle light line across the middle case to reiterate the Air-King’s sky-high influences.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40
Hope you like platinum. Rolex’s classic Day-Date 40 has been given a high-shine makeover, including a matching fluted bezel.
In a press release, Rolex emphasized the challenge of creating platinum fluting, as the company normally only uses gold fluting.
The result speaks for itself, though.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31
The 2022 Datejust 31 is as luxe as it gets, now sporting a white Rolesor treatment (a gold and Oystersteel combo that here includes a white gold bezel) and lush floral dial designs.
Available in sunray “Azzurro Blue,” matte “Olive Green,” and grained silver, the Datejust 31’s dial is clearly the main attraction. Lit with dozens of diamonds, these watches ain’t just for spring.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42, 40
Two timeless Yacht-Masters get two very different treatments this year.
First, Rolex reimagines the Yacht-Master 42 in a special 18ct yellow gold that’s custom-made and cast in Rolex’s Geneva foundry. Scratchproof monobloc bezels and ceramic Cerachrom inserts highlight its contrasted finish.
The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 is far flashier, however, thanks to its stunning bezel.
Fitted with 46 diamonds and sapphires in its 18ct white gold bezel, the the 2022 Yacht-Master is enlivened with five pale hues inspired by the aurora borealis.
