Diverse perspectives on Rolex ahead of W&W 2025
Which models will stay, and which will go? What do the gurus have to say?
We are now three months into the year, and there is still no official update from Rolex regarding 2025 Discontinued or New Model status. However, as the most significant event in the watch industry, Watches & Wonders 2025, draws ever closer, let’s hear the perspectives of international columnists and renowned watch gurus to help Rolex fans prepare for what’s to come.
Discontinued Model Predictions
GMT-Master II ‘Sprite’
Kristian Haagen from Chrono24 Magazine suggests that the ‘Sprite’ (Destro) has seen less popularity compared to the ‘Pepsi’, ‘Batman’, and ‘Bruce Wayne’, leading to the belief that it might not continue.
Air-King
Tomasz Kiełtyka, editor at ch24.pl, shares the opinion that the model hasn't been able to expand its appeal beyond a niche audience, even after its redesign in 2022.
Celebration Dial and Puzzle Dial
Andrew McUtchen, Founder of Time & Tide, along with Bob's Watches and Johnny Davis from Esquire magazine, agree that it is likely time for these to go. Andrew cites the quiet retirement of the Palm Dial last year as a precedent, suggesting the Puzzle Dial—which survived rumors of discontinuation last year—is also on the chopping block. Bob's Watches shares this view, suggesting that the Celebration dial has generated enough excitement and should transition into a collector's item to make room for new special dials.
Deepsea Yellow Gold
Bob's Watches argues that the essence of the Deepsea is a functional tool watch; adding a "high-end" touch with Yellow Gold makes it more of a status symbol. They believe it is a prime candidate for removal if Rolex intends to streamline its lineup, which would also make it easier for deep-pocketed collectors to snap it up once discontinued.
The above list covers the models expected to be discontinued. For the final part, here are some New Release predictions from the perspectives of Bob's Watches and Brice Goulard from Monochrome. See if you agree, and let’s wait and see what happens at the beginning of April.
New Release Predictions
GMT-Master Pan Am
Given that this year marks the brand’s 120th anniversary and the 70th anniversary of the GMT-Master, Bob's Watches sees a strong possibility for a remodel of the original design created for Pan Am.
GMT-Master II ‘Coke’ White Gold and ‘Blueberry’
Due to the importance of the anniversary year, Brice Goulard anticipates a ‘Coke’ model, likely in White Gold rather than steel, as other colors have already returned. He also points to the ‘Blueberry’, a color fans have been requesting for a long time.
Explorer
Even though the 40mm model was introduced in 2023, the 70th-anniversary milestone in 2025 might see a special release, with speculation pointing to a white ‘Polar’ dial, which was previously featured on the Explorer II.
Additionally, there are many other interesting models envisioned by Monochrome, such as the Sea-Dweller Titanium, a unisex-sized Submariner, and others. (Click the links to see the concept graphics; many are beautiful enough that we really wish they were real!) Detailed reading can be found via the links at the bottom. Finally, we reiterate that all of these are merely the perspectives of the experts.
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Information sources:
https://www.chrono24.co.th
https://www.bobswatches.com
https://www.esquire.com
https://monochrome-watches.com
