Baselworld 2017: There was no new chronograph watch at the Rolex booth. Other than the new Cyclops bearing red Sea-Dweller, Rolex released a few watches that frankly aren’t worth writing individual posts for.
2017 is indeed uneventful and unexciting in the world of Rolex. Some might even call it disappointing. This will be a good year for everyone else at the show because less attention will be on The Crown. We’ll summarize the new models here:
What’s New?
- Sea-Dweller
- Yacht-Master II
- Daytona with new dial
- Sky-Dweller
- Datejust 41
- Ladies Datejust 28
- Cellini Moonphase
Red Sea-Dweller (Ref: 126600)
We wrote a full review of the new red Sea-Dweller which you can read all about here.
Yacht-Master II (Ref: 116680)
This one almost seems like a joke. The only things new about the 2017 Yacht-Master II are the sport hands (aka Mercedes symbol hands), a triangle marker at 12:00, and a rectangular marker at 6:00. It has the same robust caliber 4161 movement, the same operating instructions, the same bezel. It even has the same model number. It’s the same watch! The original model has a cleaner look with beautiful blued hands that remind you of the surface of the open ocean.
Daytona (Ref: 116518 LN)
You won’t find much excitement around the Daytona case this year either. After all, collectors are still waiting for their ceramic bezel models from last year! The new Daytona is in an 18K gold case, has a ceramic bezel of course, and sits on a rubber strap that Rolex insists on calling a bracelet. It’s a strap.
“…Fitted on the innovative Oysterflex bracelet in elastomer reinforced with a metal blade.” -Rolex
Sky-Dweller (Ref: 326933)
You can now get the 2017 Sky-Dweller on a two-tone Oyster bracelet. Updated dials offer longer hands and rectangular markers. All lumed up with Chromalight. That’s it. That’s all you get. Everything else remains the same. The price of the watch pictured here will start out at $17,150.
Datejust 41 (Ref: 126334)
The 2017 Datejust 41 features the same new caliber 3235 found in the updated Sea-Dweller. It has a 41mm Monobloc case constructed out of 904L steel, with an 18K gold Fluted bezel. Rolex, of course, cannot simply call this gold and steel or two-tone, so in 1933 they registered the name “Rolesor” – the word for when gold and steel is combined on a Rolex watch. So far, we have only seen a blue sunray dial.
Lady Datejust 28 (Ref: 279160)
The 2017 Lady Datejust 28 has been upgraded to a caliber 2236 automatic movement with a silicon hairspring. It’s now packed into a larger 28mm 904L steel case. Steel models with a smooth bezel (as pictured here in pink) will start out at $6,300 USD. Moving into an 18K gold fluted bezel model takes the price up to $7,350. Diamonds and mother of pearl dials are also available, bringing the price up as high as $17,650.
Cellini Moonphase (50535)
This is the most exciting watch out of the bunch. The 2017 Cellini Moonphase is going to go down in history, mark these words! It has many of the elements that a modern-day-vintage-watch hipster is looking for in a timepiece – with exception to the affordability factor. Thus, it would be better if it could be acquired in steel. This gorgeous dress piece has a 39mm diameter 18K Everose gold case with a coin edge style bezel and beautiful winding crown. The blued hand that extends out to the perimeter of the dial is your date – just like the classic triple dates we all drool over. Powered by an automatic caliber 3195 with a 48 hour reserve.
The Cellini Moonphase has a white lacquer dial with a blue enamelled disc at 6 o’clock showing the full moon and the new moon, the former depicted by a meteorite applique and the latter by a silver ring. The moonphase is read via the indicator set at 12 o’clock on the subdial, as the full moon and new moon rotate through the lunar cycle. -Rolex
Off topic side note: It’s interesting to see that Rolex now has a Price on Request button on their site. It reads: “Please contact or visit your nearest Official Rolex Retailer to enquire about the price for this model. Rolex reserves the right to change prices at any time without notice.”
network of watch sites
