The OYSTER PERPETUAL AIR-KING , Rolex’s tribute to explorers of the skies, has been updated this year. It’s still the same 40 mm size, with the satin brushed Oyster bracelet and EasyLink Oyster clasp, and it still has the beloved black dial with signature green lettering and seconds hand. The case, however, has been redesigned. Now it has straight sides — like the majority of the brand’s professional category watches — as well as a crown guard. The applied numerals are now filled with Chromalight, Rolex’s proprietary luminescent material, which makes the watch more legible. The hands and triangular hour marker at 12 o’clock, as well as the 3, 6, and 9 numerals, now have a longer-lasting intense glow, making them more visible in the dark. Another big difference is that now there is a 0 before the 5 on the minutes scale, so each five-minute interval is marked by two digits. The Air-King was originally launched in 1958.
The YACHT-MASTER 42 is special for many reasons, but there is something extra magical about the combination of black dial and yellow gold case found on the new model. It adds an infusion of classic elegance to this otherwise sporty line. The model is easily recognizable for its bidirectional rotatable 60-minute graduated bezel made entirely from precious metal or fitted with a Cerachrom insert in high-technology ceramic. The hour markers and hands are optimized with Chromalight, which makes them visible in the dark, and even in daylight, they have a brighter white hue. It contains the Rolex caliber 3235, and like all Rolex watches, it carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist. The Yacht- Master 42 is also available in white gold.
The dial of the new ROLEX DATEJUST 31 is decorated with a floral motif in a choice of azzuro blue (with a fluted bezel), olive green, or silver (with diamond bezels). Lovers of detail will note the combination of matte, sunray, and grained finishes on each flower, a subtle way of differentiating each one. Also, the center of each flower is set with a diamond. These dials are decorative enough to make them feminine and unique, yet not flashy or overly girly. As usual, Rolex gets the balance just right.
19 FREDRIC H. RUBEL MAGAZINE
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