Watches & Wonders 2021: Rolex shines bright with new diamond-encrusted watches

Rolex released their new creations at Watch and Wonders 2021 – among them are the new-generation Explorer and Explorer II, as well as new versions of the Datejust 36 and Cosmograph Daytona. Most striking of all are the diamond-encrusted editions of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36 and Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust, which proudly highlight the combination of Rolex technical prowess with artisan craftsmanship of their gemologists and gem setters. Let’s take a closer look at the shiny new additions to the Rolex lineup:

Photos: Rolex

New edition Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 36

START SLIDESHOW

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When it first launched in 1956, the Day-Date was the first watch to indicate the day of the week spelled out in full, hence its name. Over time, it developed a reputation as a power watch, after becoming the watch of choice of many heads of state, royalty, and even sportspeople. 

The luxury watchmaker is now adding colour and diamonds all over this previously sober timepiece. How many diamonds are there, you might wonder? 817: 450 covering the dial, 52 on the bezel, 254 adorning the 36mm Oyster case, and 61 on the crown clasp on the watch strap.

Speaking of the watch strap, it is made of polished alligator leather that matches the colour of the enamel hour markers. There are three colour options: coral on the 18-karat yellow gold model, turquoise on the 18-karat white gold version and burgundy in 18-karat Everose gold (Rolex’s version of pink gold).

Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust

START SLIDESHOW

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Not content to jazz up one classic watch, Rolex is adding diamonds all over another. “All over” is the operative term here, as there is practically no surface unadorned with diamonds. Perhaps they took a little too much inspiration from the line ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’, but you can be the judge of that.

The new gem-set version of this 18-karat yellow gold timepiece contains 1,089 brilliant-cut diamonds – 7.5 carats in total. The dial, featuring yellow gold roman numerals with a black PVD coating for contrast, is paved with 291 diamonds. There are 44 on the bezel, 158 on the case side and lugs, and 596 on its president bracelet, secured with a crown clasp.

Learn more about Rolex’s new watches at newsroom.rolex.com

See all Watches & Wonders 2021 coverage