Founded in 1905, Rolex has shaped much of what we now consider the modern luxury watch industry. A series of new releases this year reveal a watchmaker at the height of its powers – one that knows how to evolve to meet changing tastes and needs without diluting its core identity. This year’s new lineup spans the full spectrum: reinvented classics, showpieces that veer into high jewellery, and perhaps most significantly – an entirely new model, the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller. Read on as we spotlight six standout Rolex watches released in 2026.
The Land-Dweller – A New Rolex Model
Rolex doesn’t introduce entirely new model lines often, which made the debut of the Land-Dweller at Watches & Wonders 2025 one of the year’s biggest surprises. A clear nod to 1970s integrated-bracelet design, the Land-Dweller fuses retro sport aesthetics with modern Rolex precision. Its five-link Flat Jubilee bracelet recalls the old Oysterquartz, while a fluted bezel and Cyclops lens ground it firmly in the Datejust lineage. Its most distinctive visual feature is the dial, which showcases a beautiful laser-etched honeycomb motif with Arabic numerals at six and nine o’clock.
The Land-Dweller is one of Rolex's most technically accomplished pieces – the result of seven years of research with 18 exclusive patents. Inside beats the new calibre 7135 – Rolex’s first high-beat 5Hz movement – complete with silicon components, a Dynapulse escapement, and a transparent caseback. Offered in 36mm and 40mm sizes across steel, Everose, and platinum, it’s design-forward and versatile enough to be considered unisex. Retailing from AED 57,100 in Oystersteel, the Land-Dweller sits between the Datejust and Day-Date, though limited production and early hype have already driven resale prices upward.
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Oyster Perpetual – Pastel Dials & Updated Clasp
A legacy entry-level Rolex, the Oyster Perpetual received a cheerful refresh in 2025. Following the success of the vivid lacquer dials in 2020 and the playful “Celebration” bubble motif of 2023, Rolex has now retired the latter in favour of a more restrained palette. This year’s update introduces several new matte tones, including mint green, lavender, and sandy beige. Subtle case refinements include a slimmer clasp, further streamlining the Oyster’s famously clean silhouette. Prices for the 28mm in Oystersteel start at AED 23,030, though rare dial colours can command significantly higher premiums on the secondary market.
GMT‑Master II – Tiger Iron “Root Beer” and “Sprite-Hulk”
To mark the 70th anniversary of the GMT-Master line, Rolex took a more unexpected (and elevated) route than many anticipated. While some collectors were hoping for a long-awaited reissue of the red-and-blue “Coke”, what arrived instead was a celebration of high jewellery: unique gemstone dials applied to its most coveted GMT references. The headliner here is the spectacular “Root Beer” GMT-Master II – a showstopping piece with an Everose gold case and black-brown Cerachrom bezel (ref. 126715CHNR), now fitted with a rare Tiger Iron stone dial.
Tiger Iron is a natural composite made of red jasper, golden tiger’s eye, and dark hematite, with rich, layered patterns that vary from piece to piece. The effect is striking – a swirling palette of deep reds, earthy browns, and flashes of gold. Priced at AED 201,600, it’s one of the most expensive Rolexes released this year.
A more playful new model is the “Sprite-Hulk” – a GMT-Master II with a bold green-and-black bezel and bright green dial. It’s highly reminiscent of the Submariner “Hulk” of years past, though this GMT wears thinner on the wrist and is crafted exclusively in 18-carat white gold. Prices start at AED 190,700, but they’re already valued substantially higher on the secondary market due to the rarity of full-gold GMTs.
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Datejust 31 “Red Ombré” – A Fiery Dial for Women
Rolex didn’t forget its loyal female clientele this year, introducing a striking new dial variation in the Datejust 31 that immediately breaks with tradition. Replacing the whimsical floral motifs of recent years is a dramatic red ombré dial, fading from deep crimson at the centre to inky black around the edges. It’s a gradient rarely seen in the Rolex catalogue, and even rarer still on a ladies’ model. This fiery new dial is reserved exclusively for precious metal references and is one of the most expensive variants in the Datejust line, priced at AED 197,000. On the secondary market, premiums remain modest: the fully diamond-set reference trades around AED 220,000 – indicating rarity without total inaccessibility.
Cosmograph Daytona – A New Oceanic Blue Dial
The Rolex with a Hollywood aura, the Daytona remains the brand’s most collectible chronograph. For 2025, Rolex introduced one of its boldest versions yet: a luminescent turquoise lacquer dial with black subdials, fitted to a robust black Oysterflex band (ref. 126518LN). It’s the first time such a vivid dial colour – previously seen on select Day-Date models – has appeared in the Daytona lineup. Sporty and uncharacteristically creative, it’s framed by a black Cerachrom bezel and housed in 18-carat yellow gold.
Priced at AED 148,300, the reference is part of Rolex’s standard catalogue, but distribution is reportedly tightly controlled. Given the current popularity of colour-dial Rolexes and the continued strength of Oysterflex models in the secondary market, the piece will likely see high premiums well into 2026.
Read More: Best Rolex Watches for Ladies
The 1908 – A Study in Elegant Geometry
Of all the Rolexes released in 2025, the new 1908 might be the most restrained – and the most elegant. Crafted in solid 18-carat yellow gold, it introduces the new Settimo bracelet – a polished seven-link chain designed exclusively for this line, with a hidden clasp and fluid, architectural silhouette. This is classic dress watch territory, filtered through a contemporary lens with the advanced calibre 7140 beneath the bezel. The pearl-white dial is pared back to the point of minimalism, featuring Arabic numerals, a small seconds counter at six, and a distinctive domed-and-fluted bezel. At retail, it’s priced at AED 142,400 and comes in a mid-sized 39mm case. While the 1908 may not generate the same buzz as this year’s coloured Daytonas or gem-set GMTs, it still stands apart – a refined reminder that evolution doesn’t always demand reinvention.
