Latest news with #GMT-MasterII
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Rolex watches beat S&P index gaining 550% in 15 Years
In line with the trend of Swiss watches making gains on the secondary market, a new data-driven study has found that based on actual sales transactions, Rolex prices increased by over 550 percent, rising on average from approximately $2,000 in 2010 to $13,426 in 2025. Published by the online dealer Bob's Watches on its 15th anniversary, the Rolex market has experienced significant shifts in pricing and sales volume. Key inflection points: 2010-2015: Steady 250% appreciation, establishing market fundamentals 2015-2020: Moderate 24% growth as the market consolidated gains 2020-2022: Explosive 93% surge creating unsustainable peak pricing 2022-2025: Sharp 31% correction followed by stabilization Investment in Rolex, Patek watches exceeds S&P gains over five years: report Among other findings, The GMT-Master II led with 506 percent appreciation since 2010, reflecting demand for vintage 'Pepsi' and modern 'Batman' models. The Daytona appreciated 358 percent with a peak price of $53,911, the highest in the database. The Datejust was the most traded Rolex model; it stood out as the most traded Rolex collection showing steady growth and lower volatility with 639 percent total appreciation. Emerging trends The report concluded that colorful dial variants across multiple collections showed surprising strength, suggesting collector preferences shifting toward more expressive designs. Additionally, 36mm sizing gained renewed appreciation, particularly in Datejust and Explorer models.
Business Times
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Times
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
South China Morning Post
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Behind the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller is 5 years of designing and engineering
It takes Rolex five to seven years to create a new watch model, I just learned. Advertisement It is March 24, and I am sitting in the Geneva headquarters of the watchmaker with the platinum version of its brand-new, not-yet-announced Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller in my hands. It is a fresh entry in a lineage that includes such legends as the Datejust , the GMT-Master II, the Submariner and the Cosmograph Daytona I was summoned to this top-secret meeting to discover the wonders of this new timepiece. A week later, the Land-Dweller will be introduced during the Watches and Wonders trade fair across town in the Swiss city, and within minutes of its debut, collectors and fans around the world will be dissecting it. A close-up of the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 40. A totally new collection from Rolex is a rare thing. Advertisement
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How Rolex's new Land-Dweller watch aims to 'invigorate' the collector base
"Watches and Wonders" in Geneva, the biggest trade show in the luxury timepiece world, kicked off with a bang as industry leader Rolex released its latest 2025 models just as the industry finds itself in an uncertain market. Though most of the releases are tweaks, new colors, and new materials for some of its existing watches, the biggest news is an all-new model with a brand new movement, the Rolex Land-Dweller. The integrated bracelet Land-Dweller resembles Audemars Piguet's iconic Royal Oak sports watch, with a sleek flat 'Jubilee' bracelet, fluted bezel, and new honeycomb dial. Most impressive is the all-new Calibre 7135 mechanical movement powering the watch. It is thinner than any existing Rolex perpetual (self-winding) movement, has 16 patents, and features a new 'Dyapulse Escapement' and oscillator for improved timekeeping, Rolex said. The watch, which comes in 36mm and 40mm sizes and a variety of metals including steel and platinum, starts at around $14,400 — and can hit $120,600. California-based jewelry retailer Bob's Watches founder and CEO Paul Altieri said the Land-Dweller could spur more interest in collectors. 'It's the kind of release that would stir the collector base and open a new chapter in the brand's legacy,' he said. 'It's the kind of modern classic that could become an instant cult favorite. Think of it as a spiritual fusion of the Explorer and the Sea-Dweller," two of Rolex's most famous sports watches. The overall Swiss watch industry has hit a lull recently, with exports down 8.2% in February, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, due to weakness in China and Europe, though sales fell in the US too. New watches from the likes of Rolex, AP, IWC, and Patek Phillipe help, but the potential imposition of tariffs from the Trump administration could take a bite out as well. Rolex's other reveals include updates and new materials for existing popular models, like new dials for the Cosmograph Daytona, 'Everose' gold GMT-Master II with a stone dial, and another GMT-Master II in white gold with green ceramic dial. Rolex also announced updated dial colors for the volume Oyster Perpetual watches and more gold options with the dressy 1908 and pricey Sky-Dweller models that tend to attract the CEO set. Rolex's focus on the precious metals watches over steel may be deliberate. 'Rolex has had difficulty selling the company's gold models while facing rising costs for the gold itself. It's no surprise that Rolex focused on revamping some of the weaker-selling gold models with a green dial for the new GMT-Master in white gold, a green dial for the yellow gold Sky-Dweller on Oysterflex strap, a new version of the 'John Mayer' green dial for the Daytona in yellow gold on bracelet,' said Eric Wind, watch expert and owner of Wind Vintage, a rare watch purveyor. Wind added: 'Rolex still has little problem selling steel watches at retail, but the equivalent models in gold are about 3X the retail and contribute significantly to the company's margin and average selling point, so I expect Rolex to continue focusing on this segment." Indeed, the selection of watches and release of new watches are strategic moves by Rolex, timed to a market currently in flux. Rolex still sees demand for most of its watches and may be looking to boost demand in the secondary market, which Rolex entered recently with its certified pre-owned program. Morgan Stanley estimates Rolex sold $10 billion worth of watches in 2024, with a likely rising, though small, amount in the pre-owned segment. 'It's true the luxury watch market has seen some softness recently, especially in the primary [new] segment, but new Rolex releases have a unique power to reinvigorate demand. A hot new model — or even a discontinued one — can send shockwaves through both the retail and secondary markets,' Altieri said. Altieri noted that there is often a quick spike in secondhand values of discontinued models so it's something he pays close attention to. But even with Swiss exports dipping, a strong lineup of Rolex models can help the market. 'In a climate where buyers are more cautious, Rolex still commands unmatched trust. A new release doesn't just sell — it lifts the entire ecosystem around it, including pre-owned and vintage,' Altieri said. Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.
Bloomberg
31-03-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
How Rolex Makes a New Watch: The Story Behind the Land-Dweller
It takes Rolex five to seven years to create a new watch model, I just learned. It's March 24 and I'm sitting in the Geneva headquarters of the most important watchmaker in the world, with the platinum version of its brand-new, not-yet-announced Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller in my hands. It's a fresh entry in a lineage that includes such legends as the Datejust, the GMT-Master II, the Submariner and the Cosmograph Daytona. The Land-Dweller, which also comes in steel and rose gold, looks a bit like a Datejust—with a glittering fluted bezel, a cyclops bubble over the date window and a metal bracelet with a mix of link sizes and textures. Of course, on second glance, any aficionado will see there's a world of difference. More on that later.
