Watches & Wonders 2026, the world’s largest watch exhibition, opened on April 14, 2026.
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Latest 2026 Rolex Topics to Keep in MindRolex Oyster celebrates its 100th anniversary! And that model is being discontinued!
Rolex marked the 100th anniversary of the Oyster, a water-resistant wristwatch created in 1926, by raising certification standards in its production and posting production guidelines for timepieces that ensure superior performance. In addition to the announcement of the new Oyster Perpetual, the rumored whereabouts of the discontinued model were also revealed.
Watches&Wonders 2026 ROLEX NEWS1Announcing a new collection celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Oyster and quality improvement guidelines through stricter product certification standards
This Watches&Wonders The axis that runs through the entire new collection presented at Watches & Wonders is the 100th anniversary of the Oyster. The official press release also begins the story with Rolex’s first water-resistant wristwatch, the Oyster, created in 1926, and positions the new 2026 collection as a celebration of “100 years of achievement in the history of watchmaking. In addition, starting in 2026, the centennial year of the Oyster, the Superlative Chronometer certification has been enhanced to include three new testing criteria: antimagnetic resistance, reliability, and sustainability. In other words, this is not only a commemorative year, but also a year of major updates to the standards of quality evaluation. Symbolic of this is the Oyster Perpetual 41, the centerpiece of this year’s collection, which in yellow roresol is directly engraved with the anniversary message: the number 100 on the crown and the words “100 YEARS” instead of “SWISS MADE” at the 6 o’clock position. The “100 YEARS” is directly engraved with the message of the anniversary.
Watches&Wonders 2026 ROLEX NEWS2
One thing that cannot be overlooked when talking about Rolex in 2026 is the end of production of the GMT Master II Ref. 126710BLRO, also known as “Pepsi”. The impact of Pepsi’s departure from the foreground of the collection in the renewal phase in 2026 is significant. As it was one of Rolex’s most popular and famous models, it is expected to be in greater demand in the resale market than ever before, and its price is expected to soar significantly.
Watches&Wonders 2026 ROLEX NEWS3Daytona adds new models, but stainless steel models confirmed to continue!
The stainless steel model of the Cosmograph Daytona as well as the GMT-Master II was one of the models that were expected to be discontinued, but it has been confirmed that this one will continue to remain in the collection. The new Daytona with a dark gray bezel is a new addition to the collection, but since this model is an exclusive Rhodium specification that combines Oyster steel and platinum, it is significant that the stainless steel mainstay remains. This is a reassuring announcement for fans of the core series of Daytona watches, as it does not unnecessarily narrow the scope of the series while advancing its upscale features.
Next, we will introduce eight new models announced at Watches & Wonders 2026.
The core model of 2026, the one that most closely reflects the symbolism of Oyster's 100th anniversaryOyster Perpetual 41
As we briefly mentioned in the previous section, the ” Oyster Perpetual 41″ is the symbol of this entire collection. The Oyster Perpetual 41 is a central piece that symbolizes the entire collection. The yellow rolesole finish, yellow gold bezel and crown, Oyster steel case and bracelet. The color scheme is positioned as a reminder of the early Oyster case design. The most notable feature is the inclusion of the anniversary design. The number “100” appears on the crown, and “100 YEARS” replaces “SWISS MADE” at the 6 o’clock position on the slate dial. In addition, the brand name “ROLEX” and the small rectangle around the outer circumference of the minute track are pad printed in green, maintaining a Rolex-like appearance despite being a commemorative model. The designers did not stop at just adding distinctive details; they integrated the Oyster’s origins and the brand’s colors into a single dial.
Rolex's technical feat expressed in a jubilee motif of complex colors and letters'Oyster Perpetual 36'
The ” Oyster Perpetual 36″ has the strongest visual impact of the new group of watches presented here. The entire dial features a jubilee motif with the word “ROLEX” woven into it, appearing as a colorful lacquered dial that is both playful and elegant. It is not a mere graphic, but an expression of what Rolex itself regards as a technological feat in dial manufacturing. The process of pad printing the various colors individually is a complex one that requires the utmost precision, a lot of time and effort. The important point here is that Rolex is not presenting this model as a “colorful” piece, but as a new art form born of tradition. This is a piece that justifies the “playfulness” that conservative brands have trouble with, and is made possible by the precision of the construction method.
A new direction of quality shown in gold and Rolex's first natural stones'Oyster Perpetual 28' and 'Oyster Perpetual 34'
The small diameter models ” Oyster Perpetual 28″ and ” Perpetual 34″ are a significant change in the impression of the series. The ” 28 ” is made of 18 ct yellow gold and the ” 34 ” is made of 18 ct everose gold, with greenstone-colored and bluestone-colored lacquered dials, respectively. In addition, at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, for the first time in Rolex history, they feature hour markers made from natural stones. The value of these two timepieces goes beyond simply being “the luxury version of an Oy Pape. The delicate texture of the satin-finish bracelet and the natural stone indexes add a jewel-like character to the traditional Oyster Perpetual’s practical watch context.
Green ombre dial adds new depth to the royal lineDatejust 41
The ” Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41″ is now available in white Lorezole. It features a green lacquer ombré dial, Rolex’s signature color, and combines the brand’s iconic elements – fluted bezel, steel, and white gold – in one watch. The striking green color of the dial is not so much the color itself as the gradation of coloring that is the heart of this model. The ombré effect, which darkens toward the outer edge of the dial, enhances the visibility of the date window and once again highlights the iconic nature of the Datejust. It is not a flashy new innovation, but it is a piece that shows the “polish of the high road” that Rolex is known for in the shortest possible distance.
Not just a revival, but a regatta chronograph with a new functional conceptYacht-Master II
Among the eight models announced this year, this is the most “newsworthy one. If one were to look at it from the perspective of the most “newsworthy” of the eight models presented, the new generation “Yacht-Master II” would fit the bill. Rolex has taken this model, which will be discontinued in 2024, and given it a new look with a regatta chronograph that is sleeker, simpler, more modern, and with improved legibility. The countdown function has been completely redesigned and can now be programmed using only the lower pusher. To make it easier to read the time remaining, the countdown minute and seconds hands now move counterclockwise. This dual functionality is supported by the new Caliber 4162 movement. On the display, the dial has been streamlined with large indexes, with the countdown timer on the flange and the elapsed time readout on the graduated bidirectional rotating bezel. While ensuring readability as a tool, the design of the pushers is inspired by the shape of a winch, and the contrast between the white matte lacquer dial and the blue Cerachrom bezel insert clearly expresses the connection to the sea. Rather than a revival, it is more like the logic of a competition watch reconstructed to modern specifications.
The generous dignity of the new alloy Jubilee Gold, produced entirely in-house, fascinates
The ” Day-Date 40″ introduces a new alloy, 18 ct Jubilee Gold. This material, which Rolex describes as having a gentle yellow, warm gray, and pale pink hue, was developed and manufactured entirely in-house. It can be said that this is the most “material science” model in the new collection. The dial is made of light green aventurine. The gold luster of the case and bracelet echoes the pale, organic tones of the dial, bringing the authority of the traditional day date to a softer, more contemporary luxury. The new watch does not flaunt its strength, but rather shows it with a sense of composure. This new watch captures the dignity demanded of today’s luxury watches.
New Daytona with modern updates of details from the first generation'Cosmograph Daytona'
The new Cosmograph Daytona, mentioned at the beginning of this article, is a combination of Oyster steel and platinum It is now available in a Rhodium version. The luster of the white enamel dial contrasts with the metallic texture of the dark gray Cerachrom bezel made of ceramic containing tungsten carbide, and the outer bezel circumference is framed in platinum to achieve a high degree of solidity and exclusivity of a sports model. The new bezel tachymeter is not to be overlooked. The numbers are placed horizontally, reminiscent of the original Cosmograph Daytona, but the font has been updated with a modern look. The caseback features a sapphire crystal that allows the wearer to see the movement fixed in a platinum ring.
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