It’s that time of year again when the predictions start to do the rounds and we look at what we think Rolex will do at the Baselworld show in 2020 in terms of new models and what they will discontinue from their current line up.
To be honest I think time is up on Baselworld with Seiko, Breiltling and the entire swatch group pulling out of the 2020 show.
The swatch group pulling out of Baselworld really was a major hit meaning top brands such as Omega, Blancpain, Breguet, Harry Winston, Glashutte Original, Tissot and Longines plus many more will not be exhibiting at the show.
To be honest after visiting the Baselworld show in 2018 I was pretty underwhelmed by the show, it felt like a closed show for watch industry insiders rather than a show you can get excited about. It’s difficult to and get up close and personal with the watch brands. I was there for 4 days and to be fair 1 day would have been more than enough, I was really bored half way through day 2.
I did consider heading out for 2020 but with so many of the best brands pulling out, some of whom had the greatest stands at the Baselworld show, I visited the bar which Breitling had put on for guests. The Breguet stand was also really exellent as they had live watchmakers doing thier thing to show onlookers what was involved in this fine art.
So, all of that said I have decided to pass this year and take a look at the reports to see how they have filled the hole left by swatch, Breitling and all of the other brands which have pulled out. But as I write this I am thinking, should I go? I don’t know, maybe I will last minute, if I do I will do a blog post and youtube video on it for you.
Anyway, that’s enough about the show in general let’s look at some of my thoughts on what Rolex may do at Baselworld 2020. We are going to throw our ideas into the pot and let you know what we think Rolex will announce in 2020, all for a bit of fun and hopefully we are right about some of them.
1. Rolex Submariner 116610LV “Hulk” discontinued.
Shock horror, Rolex discontinuing the Green Submariner 116610LV in 2020. This was a prediction of many last year and even in 2018 but it still hasn’t happened. Rumours of this model being discontinued at Baselworld over the past couple of years have sent the grey market price of this model through the roof and I imagine that if it is discontinued this year the price will increase even further. I’m really glad I gpurchased mine before the 2018 Baselworld show. As regular readers know I don’t buy Rolex watches as an investment but it’s good to know you can buy something, enjoy it, and sell it on for more money than you paid for it some years later. So, that is our first prediction, I am pretty sure that Rolex will discontinue the 116610LV in 2020.
2. Rolex Submariner 116610LV on Jubilee.
Now to prediction number 2, I think that Rolex Submariner 116610LV will get the same treatment as the Rolex GMT Master II 116710 BLNR and will be rereleased with a a jubilee bracelet, I know that the jubilee additions have mainly been on the GMT masters, but I just have this gut feeling that Rolex may surprise us and slap the jubilee bracelet on the green submariner as a new reference, who knows? We have found this image of the Rolex Submariner on the jubilee what are your thoughts?
3. New Oyster bracelet on Rolex Submariner
That said said in addition to the above an alternative to fitting the jubilee bracelet may be an update to the Rolex Oyster bracelet, I’m not sure what they could do with this bracelet to update it as its pretty great as it stands with the solid centre link updates and the glidelock system. But it’s just a gut feeling I have, rest assured there will be something new with the Rolex Submariner bracelet, be it a jubilee bracelet, update the oyster bracelet or even an oysterflex bracelet on the submariner.
4. New movement on Rolex Submariners.
In addition to the new bracelet on the Rolex Submariner there will be (for sure) a new movement in the Rolex Submariner probably with and extended power reserve. The current Rolex Submariner Calibre 3135 has a 48 hour power reserve. I think the next offering from Rolex will be in the 72 hour power range as an upgrade to the 3135. Brands like Panerai are already offering this amount of power reserve on thier movements so it is well within the capabilities of Rolex and would be a welcome update giving that extra day of power on the submariner.
5. Submariner Case size change.
In 2012 Rolex introduced the “Maxi” dial with thicker legs and large hour markers I think Rolex may change the case dimensions in 2020 to bring the size of the watch back to its former size, not right back but maybe somewhere in between. Rolex took a while to follow the trend on large watches, personally I think the “maxi” look is really great as a guy with big wrists, but I think the trend is starting to head back to vintage size watches and I just have a feeling that Rolex may just nudge the case size back a little on size.
6. Return of the “Coke GMT”
With all the fuss over the Pepsi GMT release I think that Rolex may release a new GMT Master II in the massively popular “Coke” colours ie black and red cherachrom bezel and the red GMT hand. This has been talked about model for a long time and think that 2020 will be the year for the launch of this model.. The “Coke” GMT will be along the same lines as the Pepsi launch in 2018 incorporating the Rolex jubilee bracelet. Personally I do like this color combination, I would go as far to say that I prefer it to the “Pepsi” and as this has been talked about for as long as I can remeber, I think that this is a certain for 2020.
7. Black and green GMT
The “Riddler” the nickname you heard here first! “The Riddler” a black and green Rolex GMT Master II with cerachrom bezel in green and black would make a great edition to the GMT collection. With the 116710LN being discontinued Rolex needs to bring back a pimped up version of this model in a new style with the iconic green GMT hand…. again maybe on the jubilee bracelet, with half green half black cerachrom bezel along with the all black face.
8. Ceramic Bezel on Explorer II
On to the Explorer II range now, and I think that this model is due an update to the bezel at least. I feel like there are 2 possible changes here or a combination of them both. Firstly this model would look absolutely amazing with a ceramic bezel. Especially the polar dial with a black ceramic bezel see the images below by “Rolex Passion Report”. The other option as an alternative or to be incorporated into the ceramic bezel is the addition of the lines between the hour numerals on the bezel as a nod to the 1655.
9. Ever Rose Explorer I.
Now how cool does the Rolex Explorer I look in ever rose gold? This is a really welcome update for the Rolex Explorer I, this would work as a bridging watch between the sports watches and the dress watches, what do you think?
10. White dial Explorer I
Personally I think looks absolutely amazing and would be absolutely minimum effort for Rolex with maximum impact. The Rolex Explorer is due an update, this model Rolex has been under loved and under valued for some time. A staple in the Rolex line up, a simple dial change would give the Rolex Explorer a new lease of life and make it really stand out. We found this visualisation of the Explorer with the white dial, what do you think? Its a thumbs up from us!
So thanks for reading, that concludes our ten predicitons for Baselworld 2020, what are your predictions? Do you think any of the things we have predicted above will happen at Baselworld 2020?
Only time will tell, the show is taking place April 30th 2020 let us know if you will be attending and please feel free to share this blog post on social media if you find it useful.
Many thanks and see you next time
Lee Scott
Founder
Vulcan Watch Straps
19.01.2020
