What Rolex really is going to introduce at the Basel Watch Show 2016 is.............

[Philipp]

->http://rolexpassionreport.com/20205/...selworld-2016/


Lets be rational, my previous Rolex Basel Report you all got so excited about was more wishful thinking then logic argumentation. Every year before the BaselWorld Show starts we wish Rolex would come with something super special. Something that’s totally new and surprises us Rolex lovers. For some this something is a historical incarnation of an iconic reference for others a new invention of a perpetual calendar. With other words, the Pre Basel gossips is for Rolex an easy tool to build up the tension and a free to hear what the market wants, this so they can adjust the popularity of their collection by adding small details & new colors in the future.

So what will we see Rolex brings us this year for Basel World 2016? Rolex is absolutely not in a hurry making full use of its iconic racing reference in all different versions. No Steel Daytona but first, that will be next year, for now, the steel and gold version…

The New Daytona Ceramic will be introduced in steel and gold – Ref 116523LN.


Above & below, the steel and gold ceramic Daytona- Ref 116523LN with black & white dial. Hopefully new designs are made.



Then after the succes the Gold Yachtmaster had with rubber strap and matt black Cerachrom insert in ceramic, will be continued for other Yachtmaster models. The outdated regular 35 & 40 mm steel Ref 116622 & 168622 will get the updated new black bezel..

The steel Yachtmaster 40 mm will get an ceramic bezel as well – Ref 116622LN.


Above with new Blue dial and black ceramic bezel is a hot combination! Below with silver dial it also looks much better then before.


The logically after the resized Day Date from last year, the Datejust will also decrease from 41 to 40 mm, getting back to better historic propositions. I bet you that person who came up with they idea to enlarge the Day Date, Datejust to disproportional 41 mm is fired. The whole production process has to be reprogrammed and besides that, the inefficiency of this action costs serious money. Not often Rolex made a important decision about one of their most popular models to get this rectify within short period. It’s almost like when Porsche came out with the ugly 996 and shortly after the negative responds chanced the front looks to a more accustomed design. I think back then Rolex was sounder pressure of about making bigger watches, the design department & board of directors totally forgot the roots of Rolex. Something they seemed to have found back

The Datejust will be 40mm instead of 41mm.


It looses 1mm to become symmetric and historical correct again.



Personally I’m hoping Rolex is ready with testing their “High Frequency” movement and get it into production.


The high frequency will let the second hand run continuously, no ticking anymore! Rumor is that Rolex is working on this new movement since 5-7 years already. This new generation movement will have 10 year warranty as they hardly need any servicing.



Then the DeepSea will be discontinued. After the left over stock in the factory got redesigned with a new dial D- Blue dial, it’s time to close the chapter of this un proportional, clumsiest sport Rolex ever produced. Personally I don’t think a new 43mm Sport Rolex will replace the DeepSea in the future. This size has proved to be too big for Rolex wearers around the world. Issue closed.



The mass production of a luxury watch brand like Rolex is quite an impressive proces. Due to the high production numbers of nearly 1 million watches each year, it’s impossible for Rolex to present us something totally new every year. Even much smaller manufactories like Hublot, Patek, Tag Heuer, Omega, Panerai etc have problems of entertaining their clients on such a regular basis. It takes years of research and development to come up with something new that is working in all conditions.

Thats why we had so little great news in recent years, which will also be the case at the upcoming Basel World that will be from 17 – 24 March. Find all info on their website: http://www.baselworld.com. Lets wait and see what Jean-Frederic Dufour will bring us at his first Basel Show being the Rolex CEO. I wish you all the best!!