It's not often that the world has been filled with so much speculation, angst, and excitement for luxury watches. With the market having gone through rollercoaster rides in the last year, two Rolex anniversaries coming up and Watches and Wonders 2023 (formerly Basel World) this week, it is time to put things into perspective for the year ahead. 

Rolex

Rolex by far is having the most talks going around at the moment, as this year marks the 60th & 70th anniversary for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and Submariner collections. 

This is causing substantial hype to go around, with uncertainty and excitement about which models may get discounted (if any at all), and which models may be released.

Rumours are along the lines of the Platinum Cosmograph Daytona reference 116506 getting discontinued to commemorate its ten years of production, but we think it is more likely the Rolex 'John Mayer' Daytona reference 116508 with the stunning green dial and yellow gold case will say its farewells.

 

But to replace this? Well, this is something that has been left to imagination by the luxury watch community, as there haven't been any viable sources for what actually will come out. Many believe that the 'John Mayer' green dial will be reintroduced in a white gold version, which we think will be an amazing way to shake things up, without going too crazy. 

However, this is assuming that anything will change with the daytona collection. It is more likely that something will be discontinued, but nothing will be reintroduced for the Daytona - as this may just be the year of the submariner...

 

 

Historically, the Submariner is the most recognisable Rolex, and it hasn’t had an anniversary piece since the Kermit was released in 2003, which has arguably pioneered the green dial and bezel craze, especially with the release in 2010 of the Submariner Hulk. 

This year, we are hoping to see the Submariner collection see a revival, with something along the lines of a new precious metal or existing precious metal with a new colour combination. Some fan made renders have gone a bit wild, but one we really think could be special is a platinum case and ice blue dial. 

 

 

 We have seen this iteration on the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which is why we know it would quickly become a very popular piece. 

Other rumours have been spreading around about the potential re-release of the Submariner Hulk, but with a flat green dial instead of the sunburst emerald green we saw before. Similar to the GMT-Master II ‘Sprite’ with the left-side crown, there is also the chance that Rolex can again shake things up with the submariner, and release a left-sided dive watch. 

 

 

With so much speculation, the market has seen an artificial increase, especially with Daytona prices creeping up slowly. But with no actual confirmation through the grapevine, all is left to be revealed at Watches & Wonders 2023.