We were expecting it, most of us did not expect it this year, but it was on the wish list or should be dream list of many a Rolex collector, it was the darling of Photoshop, and then, bang, it's here.....the wow of Baselworld 2016, maybe the most talked about piece, most featured piece in reviews, most photographed, the legendary, Ladies Datejust..........
Okay, I am kidding....of course it was the ceramic bezel steel Daytona.
BUT, before we go to the Daytona, let me show you, what I believe was the most important watch in the Rolex novelties for 2016.
The Air King......
This time I am NOT joking. This 40mm Air King is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Do not be mistaken, this is not a "pumped" up Air King, merely increased in heft from 34mm to 40mm. Look carefully. This is a Milgauss. I'll say it again, in case you think I made a mistake, this is a MILGAUSS.
What Rolex have done is taken the Milgauss, removed the shine, a new dial et voila! BUT, I am glad they did it, this is one of the purest tool (professional) watches in the Rolex catalogue today. The name Air King (now in its vintage font - a nice touch), is derived from early exploits of the aviation industry. What you have here, is a viable alternative to the pilots watches we are accustomed too from other manufactures. The dial with its minute markers reflects the aviation industry dials, nicely mixing them with the traditional Rolex signature 3,6,9. The green Rolex signature and yellow crown, add a touch of joie de vivre.
The Air King like other pilots watches, is fully amagnetic, and like its Milgauss sibling has an iron dust cover as well as the paramagnetic hairspring and escape wheel. It is COSC certified, but tuned to the new Rolex standard "green seal" +/-2 seconds per day. Outstanding.
This was for me, a must, even more than the Daytona, together with the Explorer 1 (more on that one later),the Submariner no date and Sea Dweller, the real deal Tool watches.
In summary.....brilliant, and one that I am happy to have in my collection.
Sticking to the tool watch theme, next up another Rolex classic, the Explorer 1. Not a new piece by any means but subtly revised. Many would say revisions that should have been there in the first place, but they are here, finally we have luminous 3,6,9 and hands that match the dial of the larger 39mm case. A perfect watch for any occasion, if you could only have one Rolex, surely it has to be the classic, iconic Explorer 1. As a Rolex fan, I find it hard not to love the Explorer 1, both new and the vintage, maybe it is the quintessential version of the Rolex Oyster.
Now the perhaps the most copied Rolex watch in the world. The Rolex, that most normal (unlike us watch geeks) aspire too, though having said that, the bi-metal (steel/gold) DJ, is must for serious collectors too!
Following on from last years revised Day Date 2 , we now have a revised DJ, but STILL 41mm. Now I know Rolex execs toyed with making the DJ 2 as 40mm, but with the subtly reworked case, what they have done is pulled off a remarkable transformation yet retaining the 41mm size. It looks and feels like a 40mm, and no doubt the new Jubilee bracelet helps in this illusion, the end links have been designed to "flow" and meld into the case, creating a beautiful aesthetic. It no longer supports a hidden clasp, but like the vintage models, a normal clasp, which is better as it is an everyday usage watch and therefore benefits from the comfort link extension.
In my opinion 41mm was a risk, but bravo, they pulled it off. The new DJ has balance. Talking of balance, thank goodness they dumped those extra large luminous batons for the new slimmer sleek ones, that match the hands. the previous ones reminded me of the obesity epidemic...just my opinion.
I can not wait to see the steel version.
Staying with the gold/steel theme, the new Yachtmaster in rose gold and steel with chocolate dial was stunning. This was a popular theme this year at Baselworld, and this was one the best that I witnessed. My better half, certainly fell in love it, so I will let her model the wrist shot!
The other new version of the Yachtmaster was a new platinum dial with sky blue printing available as 40mm and 37mm.
It may have gone unnoticed, but 2016 was also the 60th birthday of the Day Date, and Rolex celebrated this achievement with green dials for the rose gold and white gold versions (would have been nice in platinum too)
The Cellini line was extended with new additions, a new time only range and new dials for the dual time and date models. I would like to see a platinum version, time only, ice blue dial......
The new ladies 28mm is a very important timepiece for the company. Incorporating the very latest in technology, such as the Syloxi hairspring, this model is perhaps going to be the top seller for the company like its predecessors. Whilst we dream of steel sports watches, the ladies DJ is the most prolific seller in the catalogue. So getting this one right was imperative, and I believe once again they nailed it.
Finally, yes finally........
you have to have some bling, after all it is Basel and it is Rolex. Let me introduce to you the Pearlmaster 39. Whatever you may think of jewellery timepieces, you can not deny the artistry and craft that goes into the gem setting. They are works of art,
Oh darn forgot one.........
the gorgeous aubergine dial version........
I hope you enjoyed this Baselworld report for Rolex......
alright, I know, one more, a steel chronograph with classic 16520 white dial inspired and black dial. trust me it is rubbish, you don't want one, the ceramic bezel will crack with minutes of you getting one. Really ugly, DO NOT ORDER IT, (not until the waiting list is down to one week, and I get my hands on both versions
)
dreams are made of this.......
no words necessary,
just enjoy,
with my vintage 16520
The worst part of seeing and holding the Daytona, is that I am not on any waiting list, preparing for Basel ,meant that a million gazzilion others already got their name down. It is everything I wanted it to be and more. This is the pain and agony of the Daytona, I waited 4 years for my first 16520, not sure I can this time.
That's not all, the regular steel bezel 116520 have been discontinued, so only the black ceramic will now be available.
I hope you enjoyed this report, many thanks for reading.
best
Imran
This message has been edited by Miranda on 2016-03-22 13:11:58 
