The Yacht-Master by Rolex, first introduced in 1992, has always been a Rolex luxury watch for sale as opposed to a tool watch. The bi-directional rotating bezel can be used for timing events very approximately, in other words, to the nearest minute for events lasting 15 minutes or less (if you’re interested in this sort of functionality, there are a lot of alternatives, such as the Seiko Prospex SRP777).
The first Rolex Explorer watch made its debut in 1953, in the wake of Sir Edmund Hillary’s historic ascent of Mount Everest, and has been a favorite of adventure-minded watch aficionados ever since. At this year’s Baselworld, Rolex unveiled the latest version of the Explorer, now boasting a dial with enhanced luminescence and the brand’s “Superlative Chronometer” movement.
The 2016 edition of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer (Ref. 214270, case, Ref. 77200, bracelet) features applied numerals, hour markers, and hands, made of 18k white gold and treated with Chromalight, an exclusive, long-lasting luminescent material that glows bright blue in low light. To further enhance the dial’s legibility, Rolex has added broader, longer hour and minute hands.
As I mentioned a few months ago while writing about the Patek Philippe Aquanaut, there are a few watches so closely held by the passionate watch enthusiast community, I proceed cautiously each time I write about them. The Patek Philippe Calatrava series is one, the Omega Speedmaster another, and — lest we forget the watch we’re taking a look at today — the famed Rolex Cosmograph Daytona series certainly fits that bill.
The grandaddy of Rolex watches, the Rolex Day-Date 40 “President” watch turns an appropriate 60 years old this year in 2016, and there’s a new commemorative watch to celebrate the occasion. After the Rolex Day-Date 40 was refreshed last year, it got a new 3255 movement and a 40mm case. Now, for Baselworld 2016, it is getting the regal treatment by getting a Rolex-green dial for its anniversary year.
As we await the arrival of a new year, we reflect on how much difference a year (or several) can make when comparing one watch to its predecessors. WatchTime looks back on the first of three iconic watches that demonstrates how a classic timepiece changes over time. First up: the Rolex Submariner.
The Rolex Submariner was launched in 1953 and quickly developed into a classic divers’ watch. It was initially water resistant to 100 meters but that was increased to 200 meters the following year. The design followed the demands of diving as a sport: good legibility in light and darkness, a rotating bezel for general timing of a dive and a water-resistant steel bracelet.
