Watches and Wonders 2025 has concluded, and as expected, Rolex's releases are among the most closely followed announcements at the Geneva exhibition. This year brought a mix of entirely new models and refreshed classics. Let's examine what The Crown unveiled this year without the hype, looking objectively at what collectors and enthusiasts can expect to see (but probably not buy) in the coming months.
The All-New Land-Dweller
The most significant introduction this year is undoubtedly the Land-Dweller, a completely new addition to Rolex's lineup. It features:
- Available in 36mm and 40mm case sizes
- Integrated "Flat Jubilee" bracelet, echoing mid-century design with modern execution
- Bracelet features polished center links, satin-finished outer links, and chamfered case edges forming a continuous light line
- Honeycomb-patterned dial options with satin or sunray finishes
- Luminous hour markers and hands with unique styling exclusive to this line
- New Caliber 7135, beating at 5Hz and powered by Rolex’s innovative Dynapulse escapement made largely of silicon for enhanced magnetic resistance and efficiency
The Land-Dweller represents Rolex's first truly new watch category in several years, positioned as an elegant everyday timepiece that sits between the casual Oyster Perpetual and the more formal Day-Date in the catalog.
GMT-Master II Updates
White Gold "Sprite" Destro with Green Ceramic Dial
Rolex has expanded the recently introduced left-handed "Destro" GMT-Master II series with:
- 40mm white gold case
- New striking green ceramic dial — Rolex’s first-ever ceramic dial, crafted from the same material as the bezel
- Black and green Cerachrom bezel (the "Sprite" colorway)
- Caliber 3285, with 70-hour power reserve and independent hour setting
- Standard Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp and Easylink extension
Everose GMT-Master II with Tiger-Iron Stone Dial
In a surprisingly bold move for the typically conservative brand:
- 40mm Everose gold case and bracelet
- Genuine tiger iron dial, composed of tiger’s eye, red jasper, and hematite
- Black and brown Cerachrom bezel
- No two dials are exactly alike due to the natural striations of the stone
Daytona Line Extension
The Cosmograph Daytona receives a striking new variant:
- 40mm white gold case
- Vibrant turquoise blue lacquer dial with bright black subdials
- Black Cerachrom bezel with tachymeter scale
- Oysterflex bracelet, balancing sporty and luxurious appeal
- Powered by Caliber 4131
Sky-Dweller Gets Bold
The technically complex Sky-Dweller sees a divisive new colorway:
- 42mm yellow gold case
- Sunray-finished green dial, brighter and more radiant than previous greens in the Rolex lineup
- Fluted bezel and Jubilee bracelet, both in yellow gold
- Standard Sky-Dweller annual calendar and dual time functionality
1908 Collection Expansion
The recently introduced 1908 dress watch line gets a luxurious upgrade:
- 39mm yellow gold case
- New Settimo bracelet, Rolex’s first metal bracelet dedicated to the 1908, made of small, polished links with vintage-inspired shaping
- Available with intense white dial featuring gold faceted markers and railway minute track
- Caliber 7140, with gold cutout rotor and Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration visible through the case back
Colorful Oyster Perpetual Refresh
The Oyster Perpetual collection receives a refresh with new pastel dials:
- Lavender (28mm), Beige (36mm), and Pistachio Green (41mm)
- The 41mm model receives a subtly redesigned case and slimmer Oysterclasp
- Caliber 2232 powers the 28mm, while Caliber 3230 powers the 36mm and 41mm
- Movements include silicon hairsprings, magnetic resistance, and robust power reserves (55–70 hours)
Datejust 31 with Red Ombré Dial
Rolex introduces its first red ombré dial, produced via PVD—a challenging hue to achieve using this method— for the Datejust 31:
- 31mm Rolesor (yellow gold + steel) case
- Red gradient dial with sunray finish and diamond hour markers
- Gem-set bezel
- Paired with a President bracelet, uncommon for the Datejust 31
- Caliber 2236, featuring the Syloxi silicon hairspring and 55-hour power reserve
Availability and Pricing
As with all recent Rolex introductions, expect limited availability at authorized dealers. Waiting lists for most models are likely to be extensive, particularly for the all-new Land-Dweller and any of the sportier models in steel. Pricing information follows Rolex's usual pattern of annual increases across the board, with the new models commanding premium positions in their respective categories.
How Our Predictions Stacked Up
Before Watches and Wonders, we published our predictions for Rolex's 2025 releases. Here's how we did:
| Prediction | Result | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| New Jubilee bracelet with chamfered edges on the Land-Dweller | Bracelet featured precisely that, with new finishes and geometry | ✓ Correct |
| Minimalist red dial without indices | Red ombré dial arrived on Datejust 31, though with diamonds | ½ Partially correct |
| Rolex 1908 with gold bracelet and lavender dial | Settimo bracelet added, but lavender was reserved for the OP 28 | ½ Partially correct |
| White gold GMT-Master II "Sprite" | Delivered with an added twist—ceramic dial | ✓ Correct |
| Oyster Perpetual with lavender dial | Lavender arrived on OP 28mm | ✓ Correct |
Unexpected releases like the tiger-iron GMT and turquoise Daytona show that Rolex still has surprises up its sleeve.
As always, Rolex continues its methodical approach to product development—evolving rather than revolutionizing, with the occasional unexpected flourish to keep collectors and enthusiasts engaged. The 2025 collection represents this philosophy perfectly: measured updates to established models alongside one significant new introduction. We'll continue to update this article as the show progresses and more details emerge about these exciting new releases.
