Watches and Wonders 2026 has delivered another compelling chapter in Rolex’s story - this time centred around a milestone that shaped modern watchmaking as we know it.
Marking 100 years of the Oyster case, Rolex has introduced a series of new models that balance innovation, heritage, and subtle design evolution. As ever, the brand has taken an unpredictable approach, combining understated updates with bold aesthetic experimentation.
From colourful lacquer dials to anniversary tributes and technical refinements, here’s a complete overview of the latest Rolex releases.
The Oyster Perpetual range takes a more luxurious direction in 2026, with the introduction of precious metal models that combine refined finishing with striking natural stone elements. Long regarded as one of the most accessible collections in the Rolex catalogue, these new executions elevate the line through material innovation and dial artistry.
For the OP 28, a satin-finished approach to the case and bracelet softens the presence of gold, creating a more understated and contemporary feel, while the use of natural stone markers introduces a new level of individuality to the collection.
Key Features
Material: 18ct yellow gold
Finish: Predominantly satin-finished case and bracelet
Dial Details: Heliotrope hour markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock (a first for Rolex)
Movement: Calibre 2232
Power Reserve: Approx. 55 hours
The Oyster Perpetual 34 in 18ct Everose gold features a striking blue stone lacquer dial that really brings out the natural beauty of dumortierite - a mineral known for its rich blue tones and subtle play of light.
At 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, the hour markers are crafted from dumortierite, each one showing slight variations in colour and pattern, meaning no two dials are exactly the same.
The stone is finished with an ogive cut on its surface, adding depth while reducing reflections. This allows the texture and deep blue character of the mineral to stand out more clearly, giving the watch a layered and distinctive look.
Key Features:
Material: 18ct Everose gold
Finish: Predominantly satin-finished case and bracelet
Dial Details: Dumortierite hour markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock - a first for Rolex
Movement: Calibre 2232
Power Reserve: Approximately 55 hours
One of the most eye-catching releases of the year, the Oyster Perpetual 36 introduces a bold, artistic dial rooted in Rolex history.
Described as an “explosion of colours,” this model reinterprets the Jubilee motif first seen in the late 1970s. The result is a vibrant yet carefully executed design that blends heritage inspiration with modern lacquer techniques - offering something far more expressive than the traditional Oyster Perpetual aesthetic.
Key Features
Dial: Multicoloured lacquer dial with Jubilee motif
Material: 904L Oystersteel
Water Resistance: 100 metres
Movement: Calibre 3230
Power Reserve: Approximately 70 hours
Created to celebrate the Oyster case’s 100th anniversary, this special edition Oyster Perpetual 41 introduces subtle yet meaningful design changes that pay tribute to one of Rolex’s most important milestones. Rather than relying on bold or overt styling updates, the focus here is on refined, commemorative details that quietly mark the occasion.
The most notable change is the replacement of the traditional “Swiss Made” text with a “100 years” inscription at 6 o’clock, a small but significant detail that immediately sets this model apart. This is complemented by an engraved winding crown featuring the number “100,” further reinforcing the anniversary theme.
Key Features
Material: Yellow Rolesor
Dial: Slate dial with “100 years” inscription at 6 o’clock
Crown: Engraved with “100” in relief
Water Resistance: 100 metres
Movement: Calibre 3230
Power Reserve: Approx. 70 hours
This release highlights Rolex’s ability to evolve a classic without compromising its identity, with the Datejust 41 receiving a refined update in a timeless Rolesor configuration. Staying true to its heritage, the model retains its instantly recognisable design while introducing a more contemporary edge through its new dial execution.
The lacquered ombré dial brings added depth and richness, with a smooth gradient effect that enhances the overall visual appeal without feeling overdone. It’s a subtle yet effective update - one that modernises the watch while preserving the elegance and versatility that have long defined the Datejust line.
Key Features
Material: White Rolesor (Oystersteel and white gold)
Dial: Green lacquer ombré * First lacquer ombré dial since its reintroduction in 2019
Bezel: Fluted bezel in precious metal
Movement: Calibre 3235
Power Reserve: Approx. 70 hours
The Yacht-Master II returns with a new-generation design, placing a clear emphasis on improved functionality and legibility. Long regarded as one of Rolex’s most technically complex models, this latest update refines the watch with a more user-friendly approach, making its specialised regatta timing function easier to operate in real-world conditions.
Key adjustments to the countdown mechanism help streamline its use, allowing for a more intuitive experience, while the reworked dial layout brings greater clarity and balance to the display. The overall design feels cleaner and more modern, without losing the distinctive identity that defines the Yacht-Master II, making it a more accessible and practical tool watch than ever before. Available in Oystersteel or yellow gold, the watch features a clean white dial paired with a blue Cerachrom bezel, now presented without the Yacht-Master II text for a more streamlined look.
Key Features
Function: Regatta chronograph
Dial: Matte white lacquer
Movement: Calibre 4162
Power Reserve: Approx. 72 hours
Materials: Oystersteel and yellow gold
Updates: Countdown programmed via the lower pusher / Counterclockwise rotation of countdown hands for enhanced readability / Simplified and modernised dial layout
This off catalogue model* is crafted in 18ct Jubilee gold, a newly developed in-house alloy that combines subtle tones of yellow, grey, and soft pink to create a unique visual effect.
The look is further enhanced by a light green aventurine dial, whose natural shimmer complements the warm finish of the case and bracelet. Together, these elements create a refined and distinctive aesthetic while highlighting Rolex’s continued focus on innovation in precious metals.
Key Features
Material: New 18ct “Jubilee gold” alloy
Dial: Light green aventurine
* Rolex’s official catalogue only shows part of the picture, as the brand also produces rare “off-catalogue” watches that aren’t publicly listed. These pieces are typically highly exclusive, often gem-set, and made in very limited numbers for top-tier clients. Rather than being displayed in stores, they are offered discreetly through authorised retailers to VIP customers, sometimes requiring approval from Rolex based on purchase history. This low-profile approach helps maintain their rarity, ensuring they remain unique, desirable, and seldom seen.
Finally, Rolex introduces a new off catalogue* Cosmograph Daytona in Rolesium, combining Oystersteel with platinum for a distinctive and elevated finish. The watch features a crisp white enamel dial, contrasted by an anthracite Cerachrom ceramic bezel enhanced with tungsten carbide and framed by a platinum edging around its circumference.
The tachymetric scale is presented with horizontally oriented numerals in a contemporary typeface, subtly referencing the earliest Cosmograph Daytona models. Completing the update, a sapphire crystal case back - secured by a platinum ring - offers a clear view of the movement, adding a modern touch to this iconic chronograph.
Key Features
Dial: White enamelled dial
Bezel: Anthracite Cerachrom bezel
Materials: Combination of enamel, ceramic, and platinum elements
* Rolex’s official catalogue only shows part of the picture, as the brand also produces rare “off-catalogue” watches that aren’t publicly listed. These pieces are typically highly exclusive, often gem-set, and made in very limited numbers for top-tier clients. Rather than being displayed in stores, they are offered discreetly through authorised retailers to VIP customers, sometimes requiring approval from Rolex based on purchase history. This low-profile approach helps maintain their rarity, ensuring they remain unique, desirable, and seldom seen.
Rolex has officially confirmed a long-rumoured decision: the discontinuation of the iconic “Pepsi” GMT-Master II. Both the stainless steel ref. 126710BLRO and the white gold ref. 126719BLRO - each distinguished by their signature blue-and-red Cerachrom bezels - have now been retired.
Previously offered as a travel-oriented collection of four variations, the modern “Pepsi” lineup included a black dial in stainless steel (available on either Oyster or Jubilee bracelets), alongside white gold versions featuring either a blue lacquer or meteorite dial, both paired with white gold Oyster bracelets.
After an impressive 12-year run, this latest chapter of the “Pepsi” GMT-Master II has come to a close - marking the end, at least for now, of one of Rolex’s most sought-after models.
Rolex’s 2026 releases demonstrate a clear theme: celebration through refinement rather than reinvention.
While the Oyster case centenary provides the foundation, the collection as a whole showcases a broader evolution - richer materials, more expressive dials, and subtle mechanical improvements.
From the colourful Oyster Perpetual 36 to the commemorative 41 and the reworked Yacht-Master II, this year’s lineup offers something for both traditional collectors and those looking for something more distinctive.
