Meet the New Oyster Perpetual and Other Rolex Models of 2020
It was truly heartbreaking for watch enthusiasts when it was finally revealed that this year’s Baselworld was cancelled due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Without a doubt, it is one of the much-awaited events in the world of horology.
Luckily, even the pandemic was unable to hold back the revered Swiss brand Rolex from unveiling its new models last August 2020 — ushering a series of exciting timepieces including the colourful Oyster Perpetual watch and the slightly bigger Submariner to name a few.
Introducing: The Calibre 3230
Before moving on to Rolex’s impressive new models, let’s first take a gander at the brand’s newest innovation –the Calibre 3230. Reminiscent of their other movements, Calibre 3230 was also developed and manufactured in-house. You’ll catch sight of this innovative movement on some of the new timepieces, particularly the Oyster Perpetual and the Submariner.
Among its upgrades are improved precision, magnetic field and shock resistance, refined convenience, and reliability. On top of that, it boasts a power reserve that can last up to 70 hours, thanks to its barrel architecture and Rolex’s proprietary Chronergy escapement. Most importantly, it also has a Superlative Chronometer Certification with an accuracy rating of -2/+2 seconds per day.
After providing insight into Rolex’s new movement, let’s now proceed to the cetrepiece — the watches.Without further ado, here are the Swiss brand’s new models of 2020 that you might get to see on their boutiques and online catalogs (assuming that stocks have not yet run out).
The New Oyster Perpetual
Perhaps the most eye-catching piece of Rolex’s recent launch was the new line of Oyster Perpetual watches. News regarding the new Oyster Perpetual series took the audience by surprise mainly because this popular lineup hasn’t seen a full redesign since 2014. And based on the pictures, you can clearly see why. Instead of the neutral dial colours, the Swiss brand opted for something fun and loud.
Indeed, Rolex is well-known for its classy styles like that of the gold Day Date model or the simple Datejust. But sometimes, they also loosen up and embraces fun from time to time. To cite a few, just take a look at the Rainbow Daytona or maybe the Day Dates with Stella dials.
With the release of its new models, Rolex entirely showed their whimsical side once more. The 2020 Oyster Perpetual lineup consists of vibrant colours including pink, yellow, red, green, and turquoise. Apart from the flashy new colourways, the new Oyster Perpetual models come in various sizes. Below is the full lineup.
Oyster Perpetual 28
This is the smallest version of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual model and is generally considered as a women’s watch. However, they don’t come in the new wacky colourways. Instead, they sport the neutral colours of silver, pink, black, and blue.
Oyster Perpetual 31
Next up is the Oyster Perpetual 31, which is slightly bigger than its previous model. Due to its size, it’s also considered a watch for women. But unlike the 28mm version, this one comes in the new colourways.
Apart from the pink, blue, black, and silver, the 31mm is also available in coral red, turquoise, yellow, and green. With that said, this model is perfect for women who are attracted to playful styles.
Oyster Perpetual 34
Like the 28mm version, the Oyster Perpetual 34 did not get the new colourway treatment. In particular, it only comes in blue, black, silver, and pink. This version is ideal for those who prefer the elegant and classic style of the Oyster Perpetual.
Oyster Perpetual 36
The 36mm version is probably the most popular and common among others. Indeed, it is the perfect size to get if you’re after the old-school style. That being said, it comes in 8 different colours including the new vibrant ones. They’re available in coral red, yellow, green, turquoise, pink, silver, blue, and black.
Oyster Perpetual 41
Rolex also offers a choice for those who want a bigger watch — the Oyster Perpetual 41. This is the first time that the Oyster Perpetual line is getting a size this big. Moving on to the availability of dials, the 41mm version is available in all the new colourways including coral red, yellow, turquoise, green, and candy pink. Apart from that, it is also available in classic black, silver, and blue.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual’s Dial
Just like their movements, Rolex’s dials are explicitly designed and manufactured in-house. And to achieve that vibrant colour, the dials on the new Oyster Perpetual models are made with lacquer. This distinct material is largely responsible for the sheen that it brings out.
Lastly, Rolex believes that a watch’s dial is the distinctive face of a watch and is accountable for its readability and identity. That is why each dial of the Oyster Perpetual model is meticulously hand-made. This is to ensure that it receives only the top-notch quality and perfection.
The New Submariner
Ah, yes — the beloved Submariner. Another highlight of Rolex’s recent launch was the upgraded version of the watch community’s ever-favourite dive watch. On their website, Rolex even calls it the “New generation of the Oyster Perpetual Submariner”.
Like the previous revelation, the new Submariner comes in a slightly larger case. We all know that it has always been 40mm for years already. But now, you can acquire the dive watch in a 41mm case with a remodelled bracelet.
No Date Submariner
The first Sub model announced was the no date version similar to the old Rolex Sub 114060. Upon first inspection, it looks pretty much the same as the previous Sub generation. It has the same black colourway and design cues. However, the most significant upgrade is the movement, which is Calibre 3230, as mentioned earlier in this article.
Oystersteel
From the no date version, we’ll now move on to the date model which comes in 7 different variations. As expected, we get to see a mix of toned down and loud colourways. For those looking for a conservative look, you can check out the classic black-on-black or the Kermit (green bezel on a black dial). Both of these models come in an Oostersteel case and bracelet.
Two-Tone
For those who are joining the two-tone trend, you’ll be delighted to hear about these two variants. Both of these come in a combination of Oystersteel and yellow gold bracelets. The only difference between them is the colours of the bezel and dial. One model comes in a combination of blue and gold whereas the other one comes in black and gold.
In my opinion, the combination of Oystersteel and yellow gold (which Rolex calls the Rolesor), completely encapsulates the ’80s aesthetic.
Yellow Gold
If you want to go all out when it comes to precious metals, there are also models that come in purely yellow gold bracelets. Like the two-tone duo, this version comes in the same bezel and dial colour combinations. To be specific, one model comes with a blue Cerachrom bezel and a royal blue dial. Meanwhile, the other one comes with a black on black setup.
White Gold
If you want the premium feel of precious metals but disapproves of the flashiness of the yellow Gold, you can try the white gold version. Yes, it looks a lot like the Oystersteel but if you look closely, the white gold version gives off an extraordinary lustre.
When it comes to the colour scheme, there is only one choice for the 2020 Submariner with the 18K white gold bracelet. Fortunately, it is something that a lot of people would love. Its Cerachrom bezel comes in royal blue while the dial is black.
To conclude, the white gold version is a solid middle-ground for people who want the premium feel of a gold bracelet with a more conservative styling.
The New Sky Dweller
Lastly, we have the new Skydweller, which is often dubbed as “a watch for world travellers” due to its dual time zone function. When it comes to the colourway, the lineup hasn’t changed much. Rolex retains the 18K yellow gold and everose gold case options. Meanwhile, the dial colour choices come in white, brown, and black.
While there isn’t much revamp in the case, the major difference comes from the bracelet. Instead of the usual oyster, the new models are equipped with a sportier Oysterflex bracelet. It comes with a glide lock feature that allows you to adjust sizing easily even while on the move.
Unlike the Oyster Perpetual and the Submariner, this one uses the calibre 9001. It is the same in-house movement used in previous Sky Dweller models. No, there’s nothing wrong with the new calibre. This decision to use an older movement is mainly due to the more complicated requirements of the second time zone.
Furthermore, the calibre 9001 features a blue Parachrom hairspring and boasts 72 hours of power reserve. Most importantly, it is also COSC-certified to ensure top-notch accuracy and precision.
Final Notes
Yet again, Rolex has never ceased to blowing their avid followers away despite the current adversity happening worldwide. The release was an utter success and is apparent in the positive feedbacks sprouting all over social media. Apart from making changes in the design, they have also introduced a new movement that meets COSC standards.
Speaking of design, which Rolex model did you like best? Is it the colourful Oyster Perpetual models for a funky time? Or maybe the Submariner that will finally fit your big wrist? Whichever you prefer, it is clear that Rolex listens to its customers and tries to go against the status quo every now and then. We definitely can’t wait for more tricks up their sleeves in their future releases.
If you’re looking for a more complicated timepiece, check out our guide to the perpetual calendar watch!
