Rolex 2014 Novelties – Or At Least What We Hope To See From Rolex at Baselworld 2014

For decades already, one of the world’s best kept secrets, are the new Rolex models that will be introduced during the Baselworld watch trade show. With just a few weeks to go, watch enthusiasts around the world are speculating and guessing what Rolex’ new models will look like. Two years ago we brought you the news about the likely appearance of a “Sky-Dweller” and that proved to be a correct prediction, for the name that is, because nobody had a clue what it would look like. Last year we hoped for a new GMT-Master with a pepsi (red/blue) ceramic bezel. A new year, new chances… here we go again with Rolex 2014 Novelties!

At the Monochrome HQ we had some pretty intense discussion about the new models that Rolex will introduce in a few weeks. A GMT-Master II with Cerachrom Pepsi is still top on everyone’s wish-list. Furthermore we would also love to see a modern remake of the ref. 6263, a remake of the Sea-Dweller, a blue dial Milgauss, and a stainless steel Sky-Dweller. Let’s dream a bit more, use Photoshop, and see what that would look like…

Rolex Daytona ref. 116263

Cerachrom bezels seem to be the latest trend for Rolex. They have some superior properties like being virtually scratch resistant, the ability to keep their colour forever, and never fade, and they are almost impossible to exchange them yourself or with after market parts – lots of advantages 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” writing, screwed pushers and a black bezel. Compared to last year’s platinum Daytona, it would feature the same case however in stainless steel with a ceramic bezel in black. Add to that the famous white face with black sub-dial configuration, which is referred to as ‘Panda’ dial. To stay as close to the original 6263 as possible, the 5 lines of text on the dial have to be removed and instead be replaced by Rolex – Oyster – Cosmograph. How cool would that be!

Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 116710 BLRO (Blue / Rouge)

As already stated, the Pepsi GMT-Master is still high on everyone’s wishlist. Last year, Rolex introduced the Blue/Black GMT-Master II, which already got the nickname “Batman GMT”. This year we will hopefully see the “Pepsi GMT”, featuring the classical Red/Blue configuration, as seen on the GMT 1675 (you can see some very nice examples here). No technical or aesthetic changes, except for the new Cerachrom bezel in red and blue.

Rolex Sea-Dweller II ref. 116600

When Rolex replaced the old Sea-Dweller 16600 with the humongous Deepsea, it didn’t cause that much turbulence. At first most enthusiasts were maybe a bit confused, however a bit later, when they realized the beloved Sea-Dweller was no more, disappointment took over. Many Rolex enthusiasts would love to see a renewed Sea-Dweller that holds the middle ground between the Submariner 116610 and the Deepsea.

Let’s imagine a 40 mm Submariner case, with a ceramic bezel, no magnifier on the date, a Helium escape valve on the left side and a depth rating of 1,200 meters or 4,000 feet. That would be more than enough and it would beat the Tudor Pelagos (the old master won’t let the young Padawan lead any more). And please Rolex, no more engraved inner-ring as in the Deepsea!

Rolex Milgauss ref. 116400

We heard rumours that the Milgauss with black dial and ‘normal’ sapphire crystal will be terminated. Only the black dial with green crystal and the white dial will remain in the collection. So how about adding a blue dial Milgauss?

Rolex Sky-Dweller in stainless steel

The last one we would love to see, is a stainless steel version of the Sky-Dweller, the most complicated timepiece of the entire Rolex collection. Rolex, like many other high-end watch brands, first introduce a new model in gold and one or two years later they will introduce that model in stainless steel. Chances that Rolex will ever introduce a stainless steel Sky-Dweller will be slim, because if we draw a parallel with the Day-Date, that one was only made in precious metal. But still, we would love to see a stainless steel Sky-Dweller and preferably with an athracite dial.

Baselworld 2014 is just around the corner, four weeks of waiting before we’ll discover all the Rolex novelties and to see if our wishes come true. Stay tuned for our Baselworld live report!!

And our photoshoped dreams…