Rolex Debuts A GMT-Master II For Lefties, A Pair Of Outstanding Yacht-Masters And A Groovy Floral Datejust

Rolex fans fretting about their place on the Daytona wait list can take heart. Rolex introduced a slew of new models to lust after at Watches & Wonders in Geneva last month, including a new GMT-Master for lefties, a yellow gold Yacht-Master 42, a gemmy Yacht-Master 40 and a groovy floral Datejust 31.

The new GMT-Master II is probably the most fun because of its polarizing effect in the watch community. Most loved the unique look and crown position; other comments ranged from “why don’t they just put their effort into making more Daytonas instead of this” to nicknaming it the “Starbucks” Rolex because of the bezel colors. The great novelty here is that the crown and the cyclops window are on the left, which means this is a watch for lefties, to be worn on the right wrist, with the crown facing toward the hand. Rolex lefties are a rarity (as are left-handed humans), and this one is exceptional. It’s a future auction darling.

The Green and black color combination is exclusive to this watch, and it’s worth noting that two-tone Cerachrom itself is rare – Rolex only recently mastered the two-tone bezel in Cerachrom, it’s proprietary ceramic alloy. Otherwise, the watch has the model’s signature cyclops magnified date window, and the option to have either a Jubilee or Oyster bracelet.

There is something magic about the combination of black dial and yellow gold case – the combo exists in the current collection in the Day-Date, Sky-Dweller and Submariner lines, and now in the Yacht-Master 42, with a black Cerachrom bezel and an elegant Oysterflex bracelet.

The new Yacht-Master 40 is another pleasant surprise. Fans of the rainbow sapphire bezel will enjoy this new variation, set with diamonds and blue, pink and purple sapphires, inspired by the aurora borealis. It’s so fun to see this level of gemsetting on a sports watch – on a bezel that rotates, no less, for no purpose other than to amuse us. This is the first white gold execution of the model.

The dial new Datejust 31 is decorated with a floral motif in a choice of azzuro blue (with a fluted bezel), olive green or silver (with diamond bezels). Lovers of detail will note the combination of matte, sunray and grained finishes on each flower, a subtle way of differentiating each one, and that the center of each flower is set with a tiny diamond. These dials are decorative enough to make them feminine and unique, yet not flashy or overly girly. As usual, Rolex gets the balance just right.