When Tudor released the Black Bay 58 GMT last year, it immediately filled a niche that watch enthusiasts had been requesting for years: a slimmer, smaller alternative to the original 41mm Black Bay GMT. At 39mm wide and just 12.8mm thick, the Black Bay 58 GMT is Tudor’s most widely wearable travel watch, offering a fundamentally different experience than the full-sized GMT released back in 2018. It's worth clarifying that the Black Bay 58 GMT isn't just a scaled-down copy of the original GMT. Instead, it’s a distinct model, following the same approach that made the Black Bay 58 diver so popula ..read more

We are less than ten days away from Watches and Wonders 2025, and we are in full effect, foaming at the mouth over what Rolex will unveil. There have been some recent, possibly fake, leaks—but this Rolex buff has been hoping for something truly surprising from Rolex this year. I bet you're thinking… Coke Bezel GMT-Master II. And you would be wrong. I want a special Daytona to finally make its way into the Rolex catalogue. In 2023, Rolex released the two-tone (aka bi-metal) Cosmograph Daytona in Oystersteel and yellow gold, Reference 126503, featuring a new case, bezel, and movement. This parti ..read more

Rolex doesn’t rush into things. The brand’s evolution is patient and deliberate, making small changes over decades. But when Rolex finally embraces a new (to Rolex) material or technology, they do it better than just about anyone. That’s exactly what we’ve seen with their approach to titanium. It wasn’t until 2022 that Rolex released its first full titanium watch, the Deepsea Challenge. And at 50mm wide, 23mm thick, and rated to 11,000 meters, it felt more like a science experiment than a wearable, consumer-focused watch. But the very next year, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX Titanium changed ever ..read more

At Watches & Wonders — the annual trade show where Rolex, Tudor, Patek Philippe, and dozens of other brands unveil their biggest releases — there’s a special kind of suspense in the air before Rolex opens the blinds on the display windows. No one knows what’s coming. And in those few quiet minutes before the chaos begins, everyone is in the same boat. Rolex's booth before the reveal (2024) Then the blinds go up, and the chatter begins. If you’re lucky enough to be nearby, you’ll overhear someone yell “New GMT!” or “New Day-Date!” But as soon as the releases hit Rolex’s website, everyone l ..read more

In 2018, Tudor debuted the Black Bay GMT — a 41mm travel watch that changed the game for sub-$5,000 GMTs. Its red-and-blue ‘Pepsi’ bezel nods to sibling brand Rolex, but Tudor’s vintage-inspired flair sets it apart: namely the faux-rivet bracelet and snowflake handset. Tudor has been steadily upgrading its core Black Bay lineup with slimmer cases, reworked proportions, METAS-certified movements, and the now-standard T-Fit clasp. These changes have already made their way to the 41mm Black Bay diver (first with the Burgundy model, then the Monochrome) and partially to the Black Bay Chrono. Most ..read more

Another year, another Rolex “leak.” This time around, a new model is circulating through social media feeds with no clear source or confirmation. The render shows a watch labeled “Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller” with an integrated bracelet—instantly reminding us of the now-discontinued Oysterquartz line. While it’s likely nothing more than fan-made speculation, there’s a real reason this rumor has caught fire: the name Land-Dweller was trademarked by Rolex in 2023. But here’s the thing no one’s talking about. In 2023, Rolex also published a patent for a complex new quick-release strap and brace ..read more

Rolex only implements new technology when it offers a clear advantage. The brand takes an incremental approach, refining materials and movements only when there’s an undeniable benefit. This is why advancements like the Parachrom hairspring and Chronergy escapement became permanent fixtures in Rolex’s catalog—they enhanced performance without any real drawbacks. (Yes, the sapphire crystal and ceramic bezel are more debatable.) In September of 2022, Rolex filed a patent suggesting its next movement evolution: Ecobrass balance wheels. This material change significantly improves magnetic resistan ..read more

For years, the idea of walking into an authorized dealer and buying a Rolex sports model has felt like a fantasy. But according to a recent study by WatchCharts and Morgan Stanley, Rolex wait times are getting noticeably shorter. The study—based on customer reports from Reddit over the past five years—shows that models like the Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Explorer are becoming easier to get. While this data is anecdotal and not a perfect science, it reflects a larger shift in the Rolex market: the frenzy is cooling, and availability is improving. First, a Reality Check on Rolex “Waitlists ..read more

Here we are again. Every year, as Watches & Wonders approaches, speculation ramps up about a white dial Rolex Explorer. It’s a conversation that’s been happening for so long that it almost feels futile. And yet, the prediction persists. There’s no specific reason to believe 2025 is the year. But looking at Rolex’s recent moves, the idea of a white dial Explorer feels more likely than ever. Rolex has solidified the Explorer lineup in a way that makes adding a new dial option a logical next step. So while nothing guarantees we’ll see a “Polar” Explorer this year, it’s worth revisiting why th ..read more

The Oysterflex bracelet is one of Rolex’s most significant modern developments. Introduced in 2015 on the Everose Yacht-Master 116655, it was Rolex’s first attempt at a rubber strap—except, as always, Rolex had to do it differently. Unlike most other rubber straps, Oysterflex has a titanium and nickel alloy blade inside, giving it more structure and stiffness just rubber. Today, Oysterflex is only available on Rolex’s precious metal watches. It has completely replaced the leather strap option for the Daytona and Sky-Dweller while remaining a staple in the Yacht-Master lineup. But after nearly ..read more