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Rolex's beauty and brains

WHEN IT COMES TO LOOKS and precision, Rolex watches are easily recognised and widely admired. At the same time, they are highly reliable – able to take hard knocks while ensuring that you're always on time. The brand continues to innovate, not just on the technology front, but with aesthetics as well. This year, that is very much evident on the faces of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, GMT-Master II and Sky-Dweller, which sport brand new dials that magnify their aura. These three iconic timepieces already stand out for their technical brilliance and emblematic design. But, in the case of the Cosmograph Daytona, which is synonymous with motor sports, it now boasts a turquoise blue and black dial with snailed counters. In turn, the cosmopolitan GMT-Master II, which has traversed the world on the wrist of many globetrotters, stands out with a new dial made of tiger iron. A natural stone with a fascinating hybrid appearance, tiger iron is a combination of tiger's eye, red jasper and silvery hematite. As a constant travel companion, the Sky-Dweller now also dons a sunray-finished dial in bright green. But that's not all. Joining these watches are the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller in two sizes, as well as the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31. Here's a close-up look at all six new faces. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 2 pm Lifestyle Our picks of the latest dining, travel and leisure options to treat yourself. Sign Up Sign Up The Cosmograph Daytona's 40 mm case is crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and crowned with a black Cerachrom bezel. PHOTO: ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona Framing the chronograph watch's turquoise blue lacquer dial is a 40 mm case, crafted in 18-carat yellow gold and crowned with a black Cerachrom bezel. On it is the celebrated tachymetric scale that's synonymous with the Cosmograph Daytona. The dial is protected by a scratch-resistant crystal cover that has an anti-reflective coating. The watch is powered by a meticulously finished self-winding movement. Like all current Rolex movements, the in-house manufactured calibre 4131 introduced in 2023 for the model is fitted with high-tech and patented parts that help sharpen the watch's precision, increase its power reserve (approximately 72 hours), as well as make it more convenient to use and reliable. The new Cosmograph Daytona is worn with an Oysterflex bracelet with Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The patented bracelet developed by Rolex is equipped with the ingenious Rolex Glidelock extension system that allows the bracelet to be easily adjusted up to some 15 mm. Price: S$53,200 The GMT-Master II has a tiger iron dial and an 18-carat Everose gold case. PHOTO: ROLEX GMT-Master II The tiger iron dial of the two-time-zone watch rests in an 18-carat Everose gold case with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal cover. Circling the dial is a bidirectional rotatable bezel fitted with a two-colour, 24-hour graduated Cerachrom insert in brown and black ceramic. The 40 mm case is anchored on an Oyster bracelet, also in 18-carat Everose gold. Beating under the dial is an in-house and high-performance self-winding movement with approximately 70 hours' power reserve. The Oyster bracelet, which has an Oysterlock folding safety clasp, is also fitted with an Easylink comfort extension link developed by Rolex. With the Easylink, the bracelet can easily be extended by about 5 mm. The bracelet's flexibility and longevity are enhanced by patented ceramic inserts inside the links. Price: S$72,350 The Sky-Dweller's bright green dial is matched with an 18-carat yellow gold Jubilee bracelet. PHOTO: ROLEX Sky-Dweller The Sky-Dweller's bright green dial provides an intense hue that blends beautifully with the colour of the watch. A date and month annual calendar is combined with an additional time zone in a 24-hour display, all wrapped in 18-carat yellow gold. It is matched with an 18-carat yellow gold Jubilee bracelet, which is also fitted with a folding Oyster clasp and features the Easylink comfort extension link. Instead of a Cerachrom bezel, like the Cosmograph Daytona and GMT-Master II, the Sky-Dweller's 42 mm case dons the fluted bezel that is found on many classic models in the Oyster Perpetual collection. Originally used to screw down the bezel against the middle case, helping to keep the watch waterproof, the fluted bezel, made only in 18-carat gold or 950 platinum, is today a mark of distinction. As with the case and bracelet, the fluted bezel on the new Sky-Dweller is also crafted from 18-carat yellow gold. The watch is kept ticking by a self-winding movement with approximately 72 hours' power reserve. Price: S$80,000 In recognition of its platinum status, this 40 mm Land-Dweller is graced by an ice-blue dial in sunray finish. PHOTO: ROLEX Land-Dweller The Land-Dweller launched this year introduces a new Rolex collection with a new movement. The watch, which has 32 patent applications, is identified by its bold lines and an integrated bracelet that extends seamlessly from the redesigned Oyster case. The new Flat Jubilee bracelet is joined by links with a distinctive flat surface, unique among Rolex's metal bracelets. The case, in 36 mm and 40 mm, is topped by a redesigned fluted bezel. It is waterproof to 100 metres. An angled flange surrounds the dial, which is decorated with a honeycomb motif, its structure created by femtosecond laser. The Land-Dweller is available in white Rolesor (Oystersteel and white gold), 18-carat Everose gold and 950 platinum. The Land-Dweller 36 in full Everose gold flaunts an intense white dial in satin finish, with diamond hour markers and diamonds set on its bezel. In recognition of its platinum status, the Land-Dweller 40 is graced by an ice-blue dial in sunray finish. This 36 mm Land-Dweller in full Everose gold flaunts an intense white dial in satin finish, with diamond hour markers and diamonds set on its bezel. PHOTO: ROLEX Visible through the sapphire crystal case-back is a new state-of-the-art mechanical movement, calibre 7135. It is more energy-efficient, robust and better at maintaining chronometric precision in timekeeping. The movement is regulated by a system made of high-tech materials and innovative components – like the new Dynapulse escapement, which has seven patents pending and is the most significant innovation in the regulating system. Price: from S$20,500 The red ombre dial of the new Datejust 31 is set with diamonds. PHOTO: ROLEX Datejust 31 Another example of Rolex's recent focus on beautiful dials, this new 31 mm model in full yellow gold showcases a red ombre dial set with diamonds. The dial displays a subtle transition between the fire at its centre and a deep darkness at its edge – a chiaroscuro enhanced by the sparkling diamonds set on the bezel and dial. Such dials with a concentric gradient are not new. Rolex produced the first ombre dial in the 1980s and relaunched it in 2019. Making an ombre dial involves the application of black lacquer, a delicate task that requires a specialist whose job is to ensure a harmonious transition from colour to darkness. This Datejust 31 is paired with a matching yellow gold President bracelet, which speaks volumes of the high regard given to the timepiece. The President bracelet was created in 1956 for the roll-out of the Oyster Perpetual Day-Date, Rolex's most prestigious model. It represents the ultimate in refinement and comfort and is always made in precious metals. Price: S$70,950