Sky’s the limit for Rolex’s new Oyster Perpetual watch collection
On 30 May 2022, Rolex unveils its latest creations. The watchmaker subsequently invited Gafencu to public showing of its fine new range in Hong Kong on 31 May. One of the first things you notice when you pick up a Rolex wristwatch is the heft. The sturdiness a testament to consummate craftsmanship.
The first watch we examined was the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King. This superb timepiece celebrates the pioneers of aviation and encourages those that wear it to take command of their own destiny. The dial inspired by aircraft instruments but the 2022 iteration also it incorporates new features. The dial is now easier to read and achieves better balance due to the addition of a ‘0’ before the ‘5’ on the minutes scale, while a crown guard and straight sides have also been included. These evolutions confirm the Air-King’s place among the brand’s Professional models.
The next was based on a Rolex classic – the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II. Since its creation in 1955, the GMT-Master has seen some of the greatest moments in aviation history – as varied as the first intercontinental flights to world speed records to Concorde testing. Feats that are underscore human endeavour as much as they are to technological excellence. The GMT-Master II builds on this legacy.
This new iteration of the timepiece incorporated several innovations. It required moving the winding crown to the left side of the watch case and the date aperture to 9 o’clock, as well as modifying the date disc – adjustments that also led to greater precision in the testing process carried out during final controls. The Cerachrom bezel insert is in green and black, a striking colour combination that is exclusive to this watch.
The final timepiece put forward for our consideration was the Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40. The new Yacht-Master 40 harnesses elements of the ocean, the sky and the sun. The bezel, set with diamonds and sapphires in hues of blue, silver and pink, is inspired by the aurora borealis and the first blush of dawn. The palette of hues is accentuated by the 46 diamonds that adorn the lugs and crown guard. An absolute stunner.
