Feature: Rolex’s 2025 Watches & Wonders highlights
Rolex has launched several fascinating new models at this year’s Watches & Wonders, including an entirely new series—a rarity for the brand. Read on to discover some of the other highlights making their debut in the Rolex line-up.
Land-Dweller, reference 127334
Reports of the all-new Land-Dweller surfaced a few days before this year’s Watches & Wonders got underway in Geneva, so, we’ve been eagerly waiting to see if the rumours were true, and we’re delighted to say that they are.
Featuring an angular design, the Land-Dweller harks back to watches from the luxury steel sports watch genre, as well as Rolex’s own Oysterquartz from the 1970s and 80s. The luxury sports watch influence extends to the brand-new bracelet—the Flat Jubilee—too, thanks to its integrated design with flat links, bevelled edges and a hidden clasp. The white dial boasts a honeycomb motif that resembles a golf ball and is accompanied by either a fluted or a glamorous diamond-set bezel.
Powering this piece is the calibre 7135 which boasts a dual impulse natural escapement in silicon—the new Dynapulse escapement, for which a special assembly and lubrication process has been created. This is the result of years of research and development, making the Land-Dweller a groundbreaking release.
It’s also the first men’s Oyster model to feature Syloxi hairsprings—also made of silicon. Finishing off this movement is the cut-out oscillating weight in yellow gold, which can be admired through the open caseback, making this the first steel sports Rolex to have an exhibition caseback.
The Land-Dweller comes in two sizes 40mm and the smaller 36mm. The latter is available in white Rolesor—Rolex’s name for watches with a steel case and gold bezel—and comes with a dial featuring two Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 o’clock, similar to those found on the Explorer and the Air-King, and a flued bezel. A platinum Land-Dweller 40 is also available, boasting the classic ice-blue dial.
The Land-Dweller 36 offers something more glamorous. In Everose gold, it boasts a diamond-set bezel, as well as a dial set with ten diamond hour markers.
GMT-Master II, reference 126729VTNR
Just when we were finally getting used to the idea of the “destro” GMT-Master II with a crown on the left side of the case, Rolex has brought out another one, this time in white gold. This new version comes with a green Cerachrom dial¬—the first time the brand has used its ceramic alloy for a dial—and is twinned with an Oyster bracelet rather than the Jubilee bracelet.
Like the model released at Watches & Wonders 2022, which came to be nicknamed “Sprite”, this version features a green and black Cerachrom bezel and runs on the same Calibre 3285 self-winding movement.
Daytona, reference 126518LN
Rolex has unveiled a string of models boasting colourful new dials this year, this eye-catching turquoise dial Daytona being one of them.
Its dial, made of blue lacquer, really pops against the black ceramic bezel and the yellow-gold case and black Oysterflex rubber strap. The trio of black chronograph subdials add to the visual feast of contrasting colours.
It’s powered by the in-house calibre 4131, which was introduced in 2023 and is exclusively supplied to Daytona watches.
1908, reference 52508
Originally released not so long ago in 2023, the 1908 replaced the Cellini, picking up where it left off to become Rolex’s dressiest collection.
This year, Rolex has improved its 1908 line to include a model on a bracelet instead of a leather strap. Not only that, but it debuts Rolex’s all-new Settimo bracelet—exclusive to the 1908. This lightweight bracelet consists of links made up of seven very small, slightly contoured link elements that are polished on every surface.
This yellow-gold model boasts a stunning white dial with gold Arabic numerals at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock and a Breguet-style hour hand and a minute hand shaped like a two-edged sword. The small seconds subdial balances out the dial at 6 o’clock.
It’s powered by the calibre 7140, which is visible through the open caseback.
Sky-Dweller, reference 336938
This Sky-Dweller is another one of Rolex’s creations that showcases a new flamboyant face. The striking sunray-finished dial in bright green is paired with a yellow-gold case and bracelet, two colours that marry in perfect harmony. The fluted bezel adds to the luxurious appeal of this stunning Sky-Dweller.
Inside, it runs on the Rolex calibre 9002, which is equipped with an annual calendar and an additional time zone in 24-hour format. Introduced in 2023, this calibre is exclusive to this model.
GMT-Master II, tiger iron dial, reference 126715CHNR
As this was the 70th anniversary of the GMT-Master, we expected Rolex to celebrate the occasion with a few extra-special iterations of their iconic jet-setter’s watch this year, and it hasn’t disappointed. As well as the new left-handed version above, it’s released two sensational versions in gold with a tiger iron dial.
This metamorphic rock, used in this collection for the first time, is characterized by its complex structure and, according to the brand, “pulses with golden and orangey tints”. Every dial will be unique, just like their meteorite dials.
We particularly love this one in rose gold with a bi-colour black and brown bezel, paired with an Oyster bracelet. The other newly released tiger eye version is the yellow-gold 126718GRNR, which comes with a grey and black bezel and is paired with an Jubilee bracelet. Both versions are powered by the self-winding Calibre 3285.
