{"id":287043,"date":"2021-04-07T21:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-04-07T11:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/?p=287043"},"modified":"2024-10-19T03:58:13","modified_gmt":"2024-10-18T16:58:13","slug":"rolex-watches-and-wonders-2021-new-explorer-ii-daytona-datejust-dials","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/rolex-watches-and-wonders-2021-new-explorer-ii-daytona-datejust-dials","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Introduces Explorer II Refresh Alongside Bold Datejust and Daytona Dials"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.watchesandwonders.com\/en\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Watches &amp; Wonders<\/a> \u2013 formerly known as the <em>Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie<\/em> (or SIHH) \u2013 is the watch industry\u2019s most important trade show. Normally held in Geneva, Switzerland, this year\u2019s show is entirely online, running from the 7th to the 13th of April, and any watch fan worth their salt is already strapping in for a week of horological delights.<\/p><p>We\u2019ve already seen some very exciting announcements from brands like Cartier, <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/best-panerai-watches\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Panerai<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/best-iwc-watches\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">IWC Schaffhausen<\/a> \u2013 but the brand many watch fans have been on the edge of their seat for has undoubtedly been <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/best-rolex-watches-men\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rolex<\/a>, who joined the W&amp;W lineup after pulling out of rival show Baselworld last year alongside Chanel, Chopard, Patek Philippe and Tudor.<\/p><p>The wait\u2019s over \u2013 with Rolex unveiling <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/rolex-new-explorer-ii-model-hint-speculation-prediction-watches-wonders-2021\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">exactly what we predicted they would<\/a>: an update to the Explorer range, with both the Explorer and the Explorer II seeing subtle changes.<\/p><p>But there\u2019s also been some other new watches unveiled that we weren\u2019t expecting \u2013 so let\u2019s dive in and explore the range (pun entirely intended).<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-624372211\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_960708112 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_960708112 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[300,250],[320,100],[320,180],[336,280],[640,360]],\"incontent-624372211\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_960708112.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-624372211\");});};adsQueue.push(load_960708112);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"content-subscribe\">\n        <div class=\"subscribe-box\">\n            <p class=\"subscribe-title\">Curated news for men, <br\/>delivered to your inbox.<\/p>\n            <form class=\"subscribe-form\" method=\"POST\">\n                <div class=\"subscribe-input\">\n                    <label class=\"screen-reader-text\" for=\"subscribe-email\">Email:<\/label>\n                    <input type=\"email\" name=\"email\" id=\"subscribe-email\" placeholder=\"Enter your email\" required class=\"form-control\" autocomplete=\"on\" \/>\n                    <button type=\"submit\" class=\"button button-primary subscribe-button\">Sign Up<\/button>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" name=\"source\" value=\"article\" \/>\n                    <input type=\"hidden\" id=\"_wpnonce\" name=\"_wpnonce\" value=\"e2df992756\" \/><input type=\"hidden\" name=\"_wp_http_referer\" value=\"\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287043\" \/>                <\/div>\n                <div class=\"form-result\"><\/div>\n            <\/form>\n            <p class=\"subscribe-copy\">Join the DMARGE newsletter \u2014 Be the first to receive the latest news and exclusive stories on style, travel, luxury, cars, and watches. Straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n    <p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/WBDUo5hr9Ko\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-main-event-the-new-explorer-ii\">The main event: the new Explorer II<\/h3><p>Rolex pretty heavily hinted that this was going to be their big Watches &amp; Wonders reveal, but there were already signs pointing to this release. 2021 marks 50 years since the debut of the original Explorer II, as well as 10 years since Rolex previously tweaked the model (having previously upped its case size from 40 to 42mm).<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1905242846\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1050570468 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1050570468 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1905242846\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1050570468.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1905242846\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1050570468);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>Rolex haven\u2019t changed the size of the case this time around, but they have subtly redesigned the case to be slimmer and more in line with their current case aesthetics. What they didn\u2019t do was introduce a new ceramic bezel, as people speculated \u2013 instead we get a classic brushed stainless steel number with recessed, blackened graduations.<\/p><p>The 2021 model\u00a0also features a new, optimized Chromalight display. Aesthetically it looks virtually identical to previous models but now the intensity of the blue lume\u2019s glow lasts longer and in daylight, these display elements also have a brighter white hue.<\/p><p>The biggest change to the Explorer II is that it\u2019s now powered by Rolex\u2019s Calibre 3285. First introduced in 2018, it\u2019s a robust movement that\u2019s resistant to both shock and magnetic fields, and boasts a power reserve of approximately 70 hours. That\u2019s enough that if you take your watch off on Friday night after work, it\u2019ll still be running on Monday morning for the new work week.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1165340625\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_171448781 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_171448781 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1165340625\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_171448781.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1165340625\");});};adsQueue.push(load_171448781);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-287052 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"767\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-920x767.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-287052\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-920x767.jpg 920w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-300x250.jpg 300w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-768x640.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-864x720.jpg 864w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-576x480.jpg 576w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-255x213.jpg 255w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-180x150.jpg 180w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-explorer-new-model-collage-480x400.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (min-width: 769px) 800px, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">L-R: the new Explorer II in Oystersteel and the new Explorer I in Rolesor.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-new-explorer-too\">A new Explorer, too<\/h3><p>What we weren\u2019t necessarily expecting was a new Explorer I \u2013 nor one that\u2019s so radically different \u2013 but like the Explorer II, there have been rumours about this update for a while now.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-331136709\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1705610491 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1705610491 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-331136709\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1705610491.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-331136709\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1705610491);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>Last year, DMARGE reported on how Explorers on the UK second-hand watch market\u00a0were getting snatched up\u00a0in unprecedented numbers, suggesting that even then Rolex insiders were preparing for a shake-up.<\/p><p>The new Explorer I features a 36mm case size, which pays homage to the original model launched in 1953 following Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay\u2019s groundbreaking Mount Everest ascent. That\u2019s a whopping 4mm reduction in case size.<\/p><p>Like the Explorer II, the new Explorer I benefits from updated, more intense lume \u2013 adding to its action credentials \u2013 and a 70-hour power reserve, this time powered by Rolex\u2019s Calibre 3230.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-133020399\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1927474868 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1927474868 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-133020399\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1927474868.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-133020399\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1927474868);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>But what\u2019s most striking is that it now comes in what Rolex call \u2018yellow Rolesor\u2019: a combination of 18ct yellow gold and Rolex\u2019s famous Oystersteel. This is the first two-tone Explorer, and it looks a treat: with that smaller 36mm case size, it\u2019s a really 90s look, one we\u2019re a big fan of.<\/p><p>But don\u2019t worry, the classic pure Oystersteel variant will still be available.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-287051 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"690\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-920x690.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-287051\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-920x690.jpg 920w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-333x250.jpg 333w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-960x720.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-640x480.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-255x191.jpg 255w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-180x135.jpg 180w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-dial-collage-480x360.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (min-width: 769px) 800px, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">L-R: the Datejust 36 in Oystersteel with a green \u2018palm\u2019 dial and \u2018Oyster\u2019 bracelet, the Datejust 36 in Rolesor with a gold \u2018fluted\u2019 dial and \u2018Jubilee\u2019 bracelet, and the Cosmograph Daytona in white gold with a meteorite dial and \u2018Oysterflex\u2019 strap.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-dazzling-dials-for-datejust-and-daytona\">Dazzling dials for Datejust and Daytona<\/h3><p>2021 has also seen Rolex unveil a variety of exciting dial treatments for some of their most popular models \u2013 namely, the Cosmograph Daytona and the Datejust 36.<\/p><p>The Daytona has now been blessed with a meteorite dial, which we\u2019ve previously seen grace the face of the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/vintage-rolex-valuation\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">GMT-Master II<\/a>. The striking dial has been paired with three different case variants, all made from gold: white gold with an Oysterflex strap, or either yellow gold or Rolex\u2019s Everose pink gold with a classic Oyster bracelet.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1210166033\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_895347194 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_895347194 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1210166033\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_895347194.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1210166033\");});};adsQueue.push(load_895347194);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>Even wilder are the new dials making their way to the Datejust 36: two patterns available in a variety of different colours. The first is a \u2018palm\u2019 motif, a very tropical, lighthearted design; and the second is a \u2018fluted\u2019 motif, which evokes Rolex\u2019s classic fluted bezel\u2026 It\u2019s a remarkably <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/best-seiko-watches\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grand Seiko<\/a> look, actually.<\/p><p>You can have a green palm on Oystersteel, gold palm on Rolesor (with a Jubilee bracelet) or a silver palm on Everose Rolesor (i.e. Oystersteel and Everose pink gold). Combinations, combinations, combinations\u2026<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image alignnone wp-image-287054 size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"613\" src=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-920x613.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-287054\" srcset=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-920x613.jpg 920w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-375x250.jpg 375w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-960x640.jpg 960w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-640x427.jpg 640w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-255x170.jpg 255w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/rolex-diamond-collage-480x320.jpg 480w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 400px, (max-width: 640px) 600px, (max-width: 768px) 700px, (min-width: 769px) 800px, 1000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">L-R: the three new (and very colourful) Day-Date 36s and the new Lady Datejust.<\/figcaption><\/figure><h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-diamonds-are-forever\">Diamonds are forever<\/h3><p>Speaking of combinations, the last two models unveiled were diamond-studded updates to the Day-Date 36 and the Lady Datejust.<\/p><p>Like the Daytona updates, Rolex has hit us with three different gold models: yellow gold, white gold and Everose. But they\u2019ve also given each alloy its own unique, colourful touch: coral, turquoise and burgundy respectively. It\u2019s fun to see Rolex doubling down on bright colours after their super-popular <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/rolex-submariner-2020\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">colourful Oyster Perpetual releases<\/a> last year.<\/p>                <div class=\"row row-center collapse\">\n                    <div class=\"column\">\n                        <div class=\"dmg-ad\"><div id=\"incontent-1406817875\" class=\"ad-container\"><script type=\"text\/javascript\">var load_1848286099 = function () {googletag.cmd.push(function () {var slot_1848286099 = googletag.defineSlot(\"\/1017963\/DMarge\/incontent\",[[250,250],[300,100],[300,250],[320,100],[336,280]],\"incontent-1406817875\").addService(googletag.pubads()).setTargeting('refresh', 'true');if (gamData && gamData.sizeMap && gamData.sizeMap.hasOwnProperty('incontent')) {slot_1848286099.defineSizeMapping(gamData.sizeMap['incontent']);}googletag.display(\"incontent-1406817875\");});};adsQueue.push(load_1848286099);<\/script><\/div><\/div>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n                <p>The Lady Datejust, however, is sheer opulence. Diamonds adorn literally every surface of the yellow gold, 28mm watch except for the crown. This might be designed for titchy wrists but we can see ballers like Floyd Mayweather picking it up.<\/p><p>You\u2019d think that would be enough news from Rolex but what was also notable was what they <em>didn\u2019t<\/em> advertise \u2013 namely, that they\u2019ve brought the Oyster bracelet back for the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/watches\/rolex-gmt-master-buying-guide\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">insanely popular \u2018Batman\u2019 and \u2018Pepsi\u2019 GMT-Master IIs.<\/a> The devil\u2019s in the details with these things.<\/p><p>\u2026And there we have it!<\/p><p>It\u2019s a lot to take in \u2013 can you believe Watches &amp; Wonders has only just started? Rolex\u2019s sister brand Tudor also had an exciting product presentation tonight, but that\u2019s another story\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What the fans have been waiting for&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":101060,"featured_media":287049,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"image","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[249],"tags":[],"coauthors":[146236],"class_list":{"0":"post-287043","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-image","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-watches","8":"post_format-post-format-image"},"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287043","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/101060"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287043"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287043\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287049"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287043"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=287043"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=287043"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dmarge.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=287043"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}