Over 1,500 different watch manufacturers presented at Baselworld 2015 and it was the jewel in the crown of the luxury watch trade calendar. It has become one the world’s most sought after events and extremely prestigious for varying industries. Anyone that can be tied in to the industry in some way wants a presence and as a result there’s a lot of luxury brands that compete in this space.
Despite all of this, there’s one brand that we get the most excited about every year - Rolex. In this article, we look at three biggest announcements from Rolex at this year’s prestigious show.
2015’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Watches
The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches were announced at the show, and this is absolutely great news for those looking to dip their toes into the world of luxury wristwatches.
Baselworld saw the addition of a 2015’s range of Oyster Perpetual watches. Enclosed in a 39mm case, the watches benefit from all of the usual Rolex flair but at a price that is more welcoming to those who may not have purchased a brand new Rolex before. Of course, there are always alternatives, especially if you’re looking to purchase one of Rolex’s more recognisable timepieces.
The new Oyster Perpetual’s will run off of the COSC certified 3132 calibre, making them an ideal first Rolex for many buyers. Making use of the modern style Oyster bracelet is a nice touch and provides a glimpse into the alluring world of Rolex.
It’s available in three dial colours, and is a modern but honest representation of Rolex’s 1920s classic. From what we’ve seen, the subtle designs and splash of colour give it a real sense of every wearability, and at 39mm it’s certainly not overbearing on the wrist.
The Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 & 268655
A Rolex Yacht-Master is always instantly recognisable. It’s one of the most desirable Rolex wristwatches and the new reveals from Baselworld will only serve to heighten the appeal.
For most people, the Yacht-Master is most recognisable with its striking blue bezel. This 18 carat Everose gold edition matches black with the striking gold colour. This gold is a special alloy designed by Rolex that won’t fade over time.
The matte black Cerachrom bezel is in incredible to look at. The markings on the bezel are once again prominent from the face, but this departure from traditional design is impossible not to notice. It’s an exciting take on a very classic Rolex design.
This difference is going to make it a surefire hit with collectors, as it doesn’t take one to be particularly initiated within the world of Rolex to know that this is something special. The matte finish translates to both the strap and the dial, and with the typical Rolex shine on the hands, the watch is very easy to read, even at a glance.
The watch runs the 3135 calibre (COSC certified, of course) when you buy the 40mm 116655, whilst the 37mm 268655 runs the 2236 calibre.
This watch in particular is very sleek, and serves its purpose as a high-end lifestyle watch. As with Yacht-Masters, there is sufficient water proofness, but the watch will be just as comfortable sailing as it would be in the boardroom, or even the coffee shop.
It also features the Oysterflex strap. This is available in six different sizes and really should be tried before you buy. It complements the watch perfectly and looks significantly different to what you might expect. The clasp system works very well, and it makes for an extremely comfortable watch.
For those looking for the very finest in luxury watchmaking, 2015’s Yacht-Masters must be seriously considered.
New Rolex Day-Date Movement
Rolex have announced a new movement to run in their extremely popular Day-Date watches. This movement is called the 3255 and it is tipped to be one of the most accurate movements ever created. We expect this sort of accuracy from Rolex, but nevertheless, it’s a very exciting announcement.
Utilising a Parachrom Bleu hairspring, the movement should be able to resist up to ten times the amount of shock as a conventional hairspring. The movement should be rated at just +3/-2 seconds a day, and features an escape wheel made of nickel-phosphorus. This new Chronergy escapement should extend the already impressive power reserve to three days.