Recap: New Rolex Release For 2021

The crown has come to sit on its throne. The new Rolex release of 2021 dropped this November. And for Diamonds by Raymond Lee and, as usual, it is one of the most anticipated debuts for us. The highlights include a redesigned case and bracelet on the Rolex Explorer II. A surprising two-tone drop for the Explorer. And finally, a new meteorite dials for the Cosmograph Daytona. A few groovy jungle-motif dials debuted for the Datejust 36. More so, for the ladies, the emphasis was diamonds, diamonds, and more diamonds.

Rolex Explorer 

Time for the return of two-tone. The new Rolesor is a New Rolex Release with Ref. 124273 may be heralding a return to the blend of metals that saw its height of popularity in the ’80s. The model also marks a return of the 36 mm size.  Another update is the lacquered finish on the black dial. And it also features a Chromo light coating on the hour markers. And this New Rolex Release got hands that last longer than its predecessor.

Rolex Explorer Details

• Case Size: 36 mm
• Case and Bracelet Material: 18-carat gold and Oystersteel
• Caliber: 3230
• Power Reserve: 70 hours
• Price: $10k and above

Rolex Explorer II 

The Rolex Explorer II is a New Rolex Release that has just a few changes. To mark the 50th anniversary of Explorer II, the new reference has changed very little. Its bracelet is wider and the case is slimmer. It also has the same brushed stainless steel bezel with 24-hour graduations. The same 42 mm sizing and the same classic orange hue on the 24-hour hand and Explorer II inscription. It’s good to be king.

What is new is that it now houses the upgraded caliber 3285 that Rolex debuted in 2018. And, like the Explorer above; it uses Chromo light to enhance its luminescence. Fitted on an Oyster bracelet, it has a modernized Easylink comfort extension. And it allows the bracelet length to be adjusted by roughly 5 mm in case your wrist needs some breathing room.

Rolex Explorer II Details:

• Case Size: 42 mm
• Case and Bracelet Material: Oyster Steel
• Caliber: 3285
• Power Reserve: 70 hours
• Price: $8k and above

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Since prices for Daytona’s have reached into the stratosphere in the secondary market. It’s only fitting that the New Rolex Release trio come dressed in material from an asteroid.

This new Rolex release comes in three versions. It comes in 18-karat white gold, 18-carat yellow gold, and 18-carat Everose gold. Features meteorite dials. The white gold model comes with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic. The yellow gold and Everose gold editions have metal bezels. All three have the Daytona’s recognizable tachymetric scale. The bracelets also come with the Easylink adjustment. The difference between the two, aside from the metal, is the Everose version. And it includes ceramic inserts.  Inside the links for better flexibility. Production of these will be limited, which makes sense. It’s not every day a great dial material falls from the heavens.

Seasoned Rolex observers will note that this is not the first time meteorites have been used.  A white gold version with a leather strap and a meteorite dial featured in the Rolex catalog from 2003 to 2016.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Details:

• Case Size: 40 mm
• Case and Bracelet Material: 18-karat white gold on matching bracelets
• Caliber: 4130
• Power Reserve: 72 hours
• Price: $34k plus for the white gold, $41k plus for the yellow gold, and $43k plus for the Everose gold

Rolex Datejust 

There’s nothing quite like a little reinvention to update a classic. This New Rolex Release now features new “palm” and “fluted” dial designs. The palms, a stylized take on those calming fronds you find in many tropical climes, are available in three configurations. Green palms on a steel Oyster bracelet; golden palms on a gold and steel Oyster bracelet with a fluted bezel. And its silver palms on a steel and Everose Oyster bracelet, also with a fluted bezel.

The golden fluted dial, meanwhile, echoes the fluted bezel that has become a characteristic of the Datejust. Appropriately, it’s offered with a fluted bezel on a gold and steel Jubilee bracelet. Each of the dials is created by a single artisan using femtoseconds. A new in-house laser technology using bursts of ultrashort laser pulses to imprint the design.

Rolex Datejust Details:

• Case Size: 36 mm
• Case and Bracelet Material: Steel, steel and yellow gold, steel, and Everose gold
• Caliber: 3235
• Price: Price ranges from $7k- $11k for different variants.

Rolex Lady Datejust 

Rolex has long understood that femininity shouldn’t come at the expense of technical expertise or strength. You might need a long history of resistance training to wear this New Rolex Release. Its gem is set with over 1,000 diamonds. There are 291 stones paving the dial, 44 brilliant-cut diamonds on the bezel. And a whopping 596 on the President bracelet. Leaving no surface untouched, the sides of the case and the lugs are also diamond-set. All in all, there are over 7.5 carats of diamonds on this piece; it’s available in yellow or white gold.

Rolex Lady Datejust Details:

• Case Size: 36 mm
• Case and Bracelet Material: White gold, yellow gold with diamonds
• Caliber: 3235
• Price: $134k plus

Rolex Day-Date 

This New Rolex Release features three luxurious versions of Rolex’s iconic Day-Date. Each set with hundreds of selected diamonds. These are 450 on the dial, 52 brilliant-cut stones on the bezel and a further 254 in the same cut adorning the case. Rolex never makes a Day-Date in a non-precious metal. So these are encased with 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, and 18K Everose gold, Rolex’s answer to pink gold. The indices of each are enameled Roman numerals in turquoise (for the white gold), coral (for the yellow gold) and burgundy for the Everose; a polished alligator strap dyed to match the indexes secures each watch to your wrist. Keep in mind that you won’t find these in stores. They’re not a part of Rolex’s official catalog and are available for special order only.

Rolex Day-Date Details:

• Case Size: 36 mm
• Case Material: 18K white gold, 18K yellow gold, 18K Everose gold
• Caliber: 3255
• Straps: Coral, turquoise or burgundy alligator leather
• Price: Upon request

How to Buy a New Rolex Release 

Without a doubt, Rolex is easily the world’s most famous luxury watch manufacturer. Although other companies produce timepieces that are both more expensive and exclusive than Rolex, none carry quite the same level of global recognition as The Crown. And it is ultimately a Rolex watch that has become a universally recognized status symbol that is synonymous with excellence, success, and personal accomplishment. However, buying a New Rolex Release can sometimes be an intimidating process and for first-time buyers, it can sometimes be tricky to even figure out where to start.

How to Choose a New Rolex Release

Once you decide to buy a Rolex, the next step will be figuring out which model is right for you. Rolex makes watches for everyone from scuba divers to frequent travelers, and on the pre-owned market, they can cost as little as a few thousand dollars all the way up into the millions.

How Do You Plan On Wearing Your Rolex?

Before you start browsing through models, it’s first important to ask yourself, how you plan on wearing your New Rolex Release. If you see yourself only wearing it on special occasions or with formal attire, then you might want to consider one of the many timeless and traditional models from Rolex’s classic lineup. Alternatively, if you plan on wearing your watch all-day, every-day and through a wide variety of active situations, one of the brand’s sports models such as an Explorer or Submariner might be a better fit.

Find Out What You Like

Once you have a rough idea of what you need out of your New Rolex Release, the next step is finding out what you like. For example, if you have decided that you need a classic everyday watch that has a date display, the Rolex Datejust is a great place to start your search and there are countless different variations and configurations that span numerous different case sizes, materials, dials, bezels, and bracelets.

Set a Budget

Lastly, when shopping for a New Rolex Release, it is important that you go into it knowing how much you plan on spending. The price of a New Rolex Release can range from as little as a few thousand dollars all the way up to well-over a million, and sometimes it is the smallest details that are responsible for an additional zero at the end of a watch’s price. 

In the same way that you don’t want to waste time looking at watches that you cannot comfortably wear, it is equally frustrating to find your dream watch and then realize that it is far outside the realm of any financial possibility.

Availability

Due to the fact that Rolex is the most famous luxury watch company in the entire world, the demand for New Rolex Release far exceeds their supply on a global level, and the vast majority of Rolex’s most desirable models are completely sold out at retailers. Although they are still in production and technically available at retailers, they cannot be purchased brand-new without spending a considerable amount of time on a waiting list.

The Waitlists

It is nearly impossible to talk about buying a New Rolex Release without discussing the infamous waitlists that exist for many of the brand’s most iconic and popular models. Many of Rolex’s most famous timepieces – including all of its stainless steel sports watches – are perpetually sold out at dealers around the globe, and most have multi-year waiting lists with no guarantee that you will ever receive a watch before the model gets discontinued entirely. 

Find a Dealer That Has What You Want

Once you have narrowed down your search and have decided on the specific New Rolex Release model you want, the next step will be to find a reputable pre-owned dealer that has the watch you need. Finding a pre-owned dealer that has the watch you want is one thing, but finding an honest and reputable one is far more important than getting a good price.

Verify Authenticity

Once you have the New Rolex Release in front of you, the next key step is to verify that it is entirely genuine, both inside and out. Since the average Rolex watch is made up of more than a hundred tiny components, it is of the utmost importance that every single one of them is entirely authentic.

Since Rolex is the world’s most famous luxury watch brand, it has become a popular target for counterfeiters, and it is estimated that there are now more fake Rolex watches in the world than the real thing. 

To make matters worse, modern technology has allowed counterfeiters to make increasingly deceptive fakes, and sometimes it takes both a keen eye and expert-level knowledge to truly spot one. Make sure you learn the basics of how to spot a fake New Rolex Release, but for some of the highly convincing models, your best protection against getting a fake is to only buy from a trusted and reputable dealer.

Verify Condition

In addition to verifying the authenticity of the New Rolex Release you intend to purchase, it is also important to verify its condition – both cosmetic and mechanical. External condition is easy to ascertain for you, but it is important to note that certain components cannot be restored or have any damage to them remedied. For example, a small scratch on the side of the case can easily be polished away, but any damage to the dial – no matter how small or faint – is likely to be permanent unless you replace the entire dial itself.

Confirm Warranty and Guarantee

It is also imperative that whatever New Rolex Release dealer you choose stands behind their watches. For example, here at Diamonds by Raymond Lee, we stand behind each and every Rolex that we sell with a full 1-year warranty to make sure that your new watch is in excellent condition and running properly when it reaches you.

Not all New Rolex Release dealers offer these types of safeguards for buyers, but when it comes to purchasing an expensive item like a Rolex, these are the type of things that you really need to look for – especially if you are just starting out. 

Lastly, it’s incredibly important to do your research and ask questions. Many New Rolex Release models look similar, and understanding all the nuances and differences between them is no easy task. Read reviews and articles, and don’t be afraid to ask other collectors whenever you don’t understand something. Most people who like watches are always happy to talk about them, and you’ll be surprised to find how willing they are to help you learn more about this fascinating hobby.