Rolex predictions and hypothesis are a sizzling subject within the watch trade.
Contemplating Rolex is legendary for making incremental modifications every year, you may assume there’s not a lot to debate, and also you’d be partially proper. Nonetheless, these minor modifications typically considerably affect Rolex gross sales — and strongly affect the watch trade at giant.
Listed below are our Rolex and Tudor predictions for 2025:
First, although it’s unclear how necessary the Milgauss is to Rolex gross sales, the (Ref. 116400GV) was discontinued in 2023, and most notably was powered by the outdated caliber 3131 (from the 31 collection of actions). With marginal effort, the fashionable 32 collection caliber (with a far longer 70-hour energy reserve) could possibly be utilized in an up to date Milgauss, a transfer that may be textbook Rolex. The distinctive lightning bolt formed heart seconds hand and inexperienced tinted glass could possibly be introduced again, or they might supply all new colour variations. Both manner, if gross sales had been good on this mannequin previously, I think about that is coming again before later.
Rolex’s GMT-Grasp II is a sizzling commodity, they usually gave us the superior understated black and grey bezel “Bruce Wayne GMT” final yr, nonetheless, this assortment is fashionable sufficient it might doubtless use just a few extra bezel choices and we nonetheless assume a black and purple Coke bezel (like we predicted final yr for Tudor Pelagos), and that arrived in Black Bay 58 GMT type, could also be within the works for the GMT-Grasp II. Furthermore, the demand for the GMT-Grasp II is so excessive, that making one other variant would presumably permit Rolex to notch up gross sales, with out flooding the market with one explicit bezel mixture. An all-blue bezel GMT-Grasp II can be cool too, though it appears doubtless that if we see that colour, it could be restricted to a treasured metallic mannequin just like the Submariner.
Talking of GMTs, Tudor seemingly acquired good gross sales and suggestions for the vintage-esque Coke Black Bay 58 GMT mannequin they debuted in 2024. So we absolutely anticipate them to increase that line, particularly contemplating the newest Morgan Stanley Report suggests Tudor gross sales dropped considerably in 2024. If true, Tudor is probably going scrambling to spice up gross sales and that often means pulling out stops.
One other assortment that we could hear about in 2025, whether or not at Watches and Wonders, or later within the yr, is the Black Bay Chronograph, which is due for a refresh. Tudor has the Black Bay Chronograph and Pelagos FXD Chronograph, nonetheless, a Montecarlo (within the classic type) can be unbelievable, or a Massive Block Chronograph remake might seem this yr. As we identified final yr, the postponed Solely Watch 2023 public sale was anticipated to see a remake of Tudor’s Massive Block. And whereas Tudor ended up pulling that from public sale when it was lastly rescheduled in 2024, nonetheless, they nonetheless have that watch as a prototype, which strongly hints that we might see a model of that this yr.
We might like to see a Rolex Submariner with an RLX titanium case, and Rolex definitely has knowledge on how nicely the bigger Yachtmaster has bought in Rolex titanium. Nonetheless, 904L stainless-steel and its helpful non-corrosive properties are virtually a calling card for the Submariner. Rolex will doubtless want a (very) robust impetus so as to add titanium to its venerable Submariner. Nonetheless, based mostly on Rolex’s modus operandi, the closest we would get to a titanium Submariner in 2025, could be a RLX Titanium Sea-Dweller. Like in 2024, we nonetheless assume we might see a white dial Submariner, or one other new colour variation this yr.
Lastly, Rolex’s most coveted, hardest to get mannequin — value excess of retail the second it leaves the shop — the Daytona, appears prepared for one thing new, while not having to repair what’s not damaged. Like with the equally coveted GMT-Grasp II, including a brand new variation might permit Rolex to develop gross sales, with out cannibalizing present gross sales. Moreover, possibly we’ll see the titanium Daytona we predicted final yr (pictured on the high). Titanium would permit Rolex to cost a noticeable premium, say $20,000, for a RLX Daytona, whereas conserving their best-selling 904L stainless-steel Daytonas at $15,500.
Designs by Muhammad Shahrukh for Skilled Watches.
