Rolex Baselworld 2017: Wristshot Gallery

It is a bit the same story with Rolex every year. If we forget the Air King in 2016 which was a true aesthetic novelty, Rolex offers a new collection, which seems, at first glance, a gathering of  additions of small details & improvements. But in Rolex world, every little detail counts! And.... the moonphase is back after so many decades of absence!

I propose you to browse these novelties thanks to the traditional wristshots I took during the fair.


The star of the show (for me)  belongs this year to the Cellini collection. The addition of the moonphase display is a great improvement and brings a touch of poetry to the watch. The display by itself requires a small period of habituation to get used with it but at least it offers a permanent view on the full meteorite moon... what is good news! With a 39mm diameter and a peripheral date display, the Cellini Moonphase embodies a perfect balance.



The Yacht-Master II is for me a paradox. It is one of the most innovative watches from Rolex but it doesn't seem to be very appreciated. Maybe it is due to its size (44mm), its main complication which is after all dedicated to a very specific world? Anyway, I appreciate a lot this watch due to the ingenuity of the caliber 4161. This new version in SS offers some changes on the display (look at the presence of the triangle on top of the dial to make the data  easier to read) and obviously, with the hands. A way to make it closer to the oceanic world and to reinforce the Rolex identity on this model?



Another very interesting piece is the Sky-Dweller which is now available in SS with a very competitive price. When you think that the watch offers a second timezone display, an annual calendar (with an innovative setting system) in the context of the Rolex quality, you understand that you get a high value for money. The SS version with blue dial is gorgeous.



The Daytona in gold now comes with an Oysterflex strap and a black cerachrom bezel. I will kill the suspense. 3 versions are available: WG, RG (Everose) and YG... and my vote goes to the latter. It is difficult to understand why but maybe because I found a kind of "vintage" atmosphere" in this watch. I was less convinced by the Everose and black combo while the WG version is a bit too discreet for my taste. I love gold... anyway, this watch is really beautiful and this YG version is my fav novelty from Rolex (yes!)







High on my wish list but I don't know if I will be able to wear such watch in Paris:




Another future commercial hit is the Datejust 41 available in SS. I particularly liked this version with the fluted bezel and the blue dial.



When at the beginning of the post I mentioned that the star of the show was for me the Cellini Moonphase, I was expressing just my taste. Because we need to be serious: the true star was the new Sea-Dweller which comes with a 43mm case and features a red line to celebrate its 50th anniversary.

Actually, the presence of the cyclop underlines the feeling to be in front of a large Submariner. In a pure design point of view, I think it is a good choice: it creates a visual gap with the Deepsea and due to the size of the watch, I think that the idea to enlarge the vision of the date window is interesting. Another positive point is the shape of the bracelet which is more consistent with the case than in the context of the Deepsea. We all know the story: a lot of people will find it too large, too big, too excessive. In the end, it will be successful because it concentrates the best of Rolex skills about diving watches.



I would like to put an end to this gallery with the most colorful watch of the 2017 selection: the Yacht-Master 40 with Everose case is now available with this "tutti-frutti" set bezel. The contrast with the black dial makes this bezel very spectacular. There is something funny with this watch. It is at the same time crazy but when you put it on the wrist, you find it quite wearable (please note that I don't say reasonable!) in the end. Maybe because the range of colors makes it casual and not too serious.



Rolex presented a solid 2017 collection. Solid and realistic thanks to some wise and strategic moves toward stainless steel cases. The proof that Rolex needs to expand its success also on other lines of its collection and to find a new customer base with more attractive prices.

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