Watches

The new 2020 Rolex Novelties (yes not just the Submariner) in hand and on the wrist

We feel up and try on the new novelties from Rolex. And we see the stuff that actually still said Baselworld 2020!
2020 Rolex NoveltiesOyster Perpetual Submariner
Shades of Baselworld, Batman! This is what we round a corner and walk in on.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Green Bezel
The 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Green Bezel. And more importantly, a nice pile of Swiss Chocolate

First of all, the big question. How big? The new Rolex Submariner measures 41mm, but it doesn’t wear too big. Most of us at the get-together, current sub owners or not, found the watch size a non-issue. Having said that, I’ve never had problems with subs. Sea Dwellers and Deep Seas yes, a bit too large after a while. Even the Sky-Dweller. But this sub was fine. Yes it is a size up at 41mm, but they took a bit off the lugs and even the crown guard actually, and adjusted the bracelet size proportionately. End result is it isn’t all that different, at least to those of us that were there.

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Blue Bezel White Gold
Heavy but very nice to wear. The Submariner Date in White Gold with a blue Cerachrom Bezel

I was a little worried about the overhang on a wrist that has been fluctuation with pandemic weight changes, and you see the photos here. But it turned out to be fine. 

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner Date Blue Bezel White Gold
This is a particularly tight cuff I probably shouldn’t have worn to go test dive watches. In my defense, when I put it on I was wearing a 60 plus year old zephyr. Now who knows what that is?

What else? The green bezel on the Oystersteel Date was nicer than I thought it would be, and I was never all that drawn to the combination. But the big winner for me was the blue Cerachrom bezel on a black lacquer dial. It looks wonderful, especially in the sun. It does however only come in white gold. Which is heavy. Which costs more that a steel sub, and a steel GMT, and a two-tone GMT combined. So it is great, but that’s a whole different ballgame. Still, wonderful move by the brand.

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 in Oystersteel and… a lot of colors. Please note that these watches still have the protective covers on the bezels. That’s my photo, from my phone. Not Rolex’s fault.

Speaking of color, think pink and turquoise and yellow and orange (they calling coral red). Thankfully these aren’t on any subs, though we do love our Doxas and their orange dials. The new colors are on the Oyster Perpetual. They are hugely eye-catching, and while they may not appeal to traditionalists we do see them catching many an eye of younger watch buyers.

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36
The Oyster Perpetual 36 with a “Coral Red” dial. Clearly their images are better than mine.

On a more calm note, the other new version of the classic Oyster Perp has hour markers and hands in 18 ct yellow gold on a silver or black Sunday-finish dial and encased in Oystersteel. A very nice somewhat old-school vibe on a modern interpretation. 

2020 rolex oyster perpetual 41
This was very nice, and an easy and classic wear. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 in Oystersteel with a silver Sunday-finish dial and 18 ct yellow gold hour markers and hands. Really really nice in person, lots of character yet simple and casual.

The Sky-Dweller gets an Oysterflex bracelet. The 18 ct yellow gold watch has a black Sunray-finish dial, and the heavy watch does sit a bit lighter and tighter on the wrist with the high-performance elastomer bracelet.

2020 rolex oyster perpetual sky-dweller yellow gold
This one is big and heavy. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller in 18 ct yellow gold. It now has an Oysterflex bracelet, which helps ion how it wears.

The Datejust 31s got some attention as well. New versions in white Rolesor are available. These new white gold and Oystersteel watches are offered with your choice of a mint green Sunday-finish dial, a white lacquer dial that is actually quite stunning, and a dark grey Sunday-finish dial. The fourth new piece has an submerging dial surrounded by a diamond-set bezel. 

2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31
The 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31 in white Rolesor, here with the mint green Sunday finish dial. Also in a grey Sunray-finish dial
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust diamonds
If you really want color and flash on your Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31, go for the Aubergine dial with the diamond-set bezel

It seems people were reading to the very end of the last article I posted here, and talked to me about what I said. So thank you. Here’s something for those that do so here. Something that’s not in the paperwork. Rolex did something to make the face more readable on the new Submariners, they said. What was it?

rolex 2020 oyster perpetual submariners
Even the tough need protection in transit. Very much appreciated by the end user. But the bezel cover really kills the actual brilliance of the colors in person and in photos.
rolex 2020 oyster perpetual submariner date white gold zephyr
Speaking of the zephyr…
rolex 2020 novelties Baselworld oyster perpetual submariner anchor
How’s this for something you may never see again..