Solid Gold Explorer 36 Redux: Tony Traina
You already gave us two-tone, Rolex, so why not go all the way? To be clear, nothing in Rolex’s past suggests it’d ever do this, which is exactly why I want it. At 36mm, the Explorer is my favorite modern sports watch in the Rolex catalog – I’m glad it’s come back to the One True Size for the Explorer, as seen in the 1016 most other references, even as Rolex also added a 40mm Explorer back to the collection.
We’ve had gold Subs and GMTs for years, but never a full gold Explorer. It feels like it’s about time. Danny begged for the same back in 2022, and now I’m adding my name to the chorus. There’s just something so undeniably perfect – unnecessary, ridiculous, ostentatious, and perfect – about a gold sports watch with a black dial and no date at a size that pretty much anyone could wear.
Funky Stone Dial Day-Date Yellow Gold: Erin Wilborn
The use of stone dials in the Rolex catalog has been largely relegated to the bygone era of the 70s (though many were still produced throughout the 80s and 90s), and even at that time, they were moreso available upon request than stocked with dealers. However, at last year’s Watches & Wonder’s lineup, Rolex did release a new Carnelian Dial Day-Date, among others, though this rendition might have played second fiddle to the much more talked about “Emoji” release.
Given the prevailing movement of green dial watch releases, I think it is much more fun and not-so-unreasonable to imagine that there could be a world in which Rolex could put its own signature on this trend by returning to the groovy malachite stone. Of course, the Day-Date would make the perfect canvas for this sort of thing, and, there’s no other way to go than to pair that rich color with a funky yellow gold case and bracelet. I’m manifesting a disco-era Rolex revival ASAP. I don’t think I’m alone in this either.
Titanium Milgauss With Grey Dial: James Stacey
Okay, so while I don’t actually believe that we will see Rolex release this watch any time soon, I do think that a titanium Milgauss makes a lot of sense.
First, the steel version has been discontinued. Second, titanium is having a moment – both broadly in the sports watch segment but also within the Rolex context (see: RLX Yacht-Master and the Deepsea Challenge). Third – and most specific to the Milgauss hypothesis – is that titanium is an excellent metal for use around magnetic fields as it is not magnetic. This is what makes it great for biomedical implants, as titanium has a crystalline structure without unpaired electrons.
Those of you who know your Rolex history will note that the Milgauss was created in the late ’50s as a watch for scientists and others who work in environments with strong magnetic fields. Heck, the name “Milgauss” is a reference to 1000 gauss, which was the level of magnetism that the original model was designed to resist.
With this in mind, wouldn’t an RLX Milgauss be both nicely aligned with the history and impetus of the entire Milgauss concept and incredibly cool? Yes. Fingers crossed, but don’t get your hopes up.