Rolex Predictions 2026 – The New Models Rolex Might Launch at Watches and Wonders 2026

We’re less than two months away from the main event of the year for the watch industry… On April 14th, 2026, it will be time for Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, a giant fair that will gather well over 60 brands, including returning ones such as Audemars Piguet. Something that has become more than a tradition but a highly anticipated event in our yearly publication calendar, the MONOCHROME team has gotten creative to predict what Rolex – undoubtedly the brand that generates the most anticipation – might unveil. In about a month and a half, the Crown will present its 2026 collection. And so, it’s time to look into our crystal ball and imagine which models will be unveiled. Like our predictions for 2014 – 2015 – 2016 – 2017 – 2018 – 2019 – 2020 – 2021 – 2022 – 2023 – 2024 – 2025 – we’ve been hard at work guessing and designing the future Rolex collections. Here are our Rolex Predictions 2026, the watches we anticipate Rolex might present this year.

Please note that this article is a figment of our imagination. These are just predictions. Nothing is official. It is based on our own expectations and analyses. 

As most of you might know, for over 10 years now, these predictions have become a ritual for us at MONOCHROME. We genuinely love doing them and know that you, our readers, enjoy them too. What started as a fun discussion between some of our team members – we are, first and foremost, just like you, watch lovers – has become a more serious exercise, and we take great care in producing realistic renderings and accurate portrayals of potential models. However, things are becoming increasingly complex, and imagining what Rolex might launch isn’t as easy as it used to be. The Crown used to be more predictable, with a well-oiled plan of action for renewing its main collections. Yet over the past few years, Rolex has shown a more creative streak. Things have changed; Rolex isn’t as conservative as it used to be. Last year, we saw the release of the Land-Dweller, a brand new collection that few anticipated – and let’s not talk about its calibre 7135 with Dynapulse escapement, something that took us all by surprise. So, as you can imagine, this prediction exercise gets trickier and trickier, but it is still a lot of fun.

So, let’s move on to the reason you are here: what we predict, suspect, or expect Rolex to launch this year at Watches and Wonders Geneva. Welcome to our Rolex Predictions 2026.

A BRAND-NEW Milgauss, Dynapulse-equipped, with a twist

Let’s start with the big one, the model we expect to return, the Milgauss. Indeed, despite having been discontinued in 2023, our Rolex Predictions 2026 had to include its comeback, with pride. What makes us think that the Milgauss could return? Well, several points. First, this year marks the 70th anniversary of its official launch, at least according to Rolex (1956, reference 6541), even though this watch began life as a prototype in 1953, as the reference 6543. We know that Rolex isn’t very keen on anniversaries – it happens, but not as often as we’d like, or sometimes in a very discreet way – but this year could be the year. Another interesting point lies in a patent filed by Rolex on September 30th, 2025 (patent US 12,428,335 B2) concerning a new method for obtaining coloured sapphire crystals – a hallmark of the last generation of Milgauss, the reference 116400GV (Glace Verte). And the final pointer is the very existence of the Dynapulse escapement, which is known to be highly resistant to magnetic fields – once again, a hallmark of the Milgauss.

So, how have we imagined the new Rolex Milgauss for 2026? This new model, possibly under the reference 126400, would share its basic case design with the modern Air King, meaning sleek lines, a smooth, polished bezel, and crown guards on the right side, giving the watch a more contemporary, more instrumental appeal. And a classic 40mm diameter. The dial would retain emblematic elements of this watch, such as the lightning-shaped central hand and coloured elements on the minute track, while offering a cleaner overall look.

Now, after reading Rolex’s patent for “coloured watch glass”, you can see that it’s not only about the green tint because the brand has listed a whole range of potential colours – red, pink, blue, orange, yellow, brown and green. And that gave us a few ideas, resulting in something bold and fun (Rolex, after all, isn’t as conservative as it used to be). So not only have we created watches with coloured sapphire in green (obviously), orange, and blue, but what about matching the dial’s coloured accents to that tinted sapphire crystal? The result is bold, but somehow quite cool. Or we can imagine classic orange accents…

Now, let’s talk about the mechanics. Now that the Land-Dweller has introduced the new calibre 7135 and its innovative Dynapulse escapement, we can surely imagine this base movement evolving into the no-date calibre 7130 to equip the new 2026 Rolex Milgauss. A watch designed to resist strong magnetic fields and intended for scientists, the Milgauss is a perfect vessel for innovation, and this new movement would fit the job perfectly. And if we’re thorough in our predictions, we could even imagine this new calibre to be Master Chronometer certified according to METAS standards, to demonstrate the watch’s resistance to magnetic fields – and since Tudor does it, why not Rolex?

Last but not least, one of the benefits of having this new, Dynapulse-equipped movement in a revamped Milgauss would be thinness. Indeed, this watch would no longer need an inner shield since the movement and its critical parts are resistant to magnetic fields. Not only could this translate into a Milgauss measuring about 10mm in thickness (versus about 13mm for a 116400GV), but it could also be equipped with a sapphire caseback to showcase the potential no-date calibre 7130…

New dials, materials and styles for the Land-Dweller

Next, something entirely expected – and central to our Rolex Predictions 2026 – is a natural evolution of the Land-Dweller collection, with the introduction of new colours, materials and styles. Indeed, when released last year at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025, the Rolex Land-Dweller arrived as a deliberately compact collection, with only two sizes, three materials, and just one dial colour per material. And we can’t imagine that this oh-so-important model for Rolex, its first new collection in 10 years, will remain limited in scope for long.

We expect Rolex to enlarge the Land-Dweller collection in the coming years, starting in 2026 with new dial colours, new material combinations and possibly style evolutions. It could take a few years, but this watch, an integrated-style alternative to the Datejust, will evolve. No doubt. What we’ve imagined for 2026 is, first and foremost, new dial colours. While we could see new patterns launched at a certain point in the model’s life cycle, we believe it will occur later. For now, we’ve created three alternatives: a classic black dial (which isn’t without a certain Explorer vibe), but also a pistachio green dial (a colour currently favoured by Rolex).

But why stop here? Why not have more options for the Land-Dweller? Even though the slim fluted bezel has a classic Rolex look, we could imagine the Land-Dweller also opting for a smooth bezel (in steel this time) to give the model a sleeker look. So we’ve imagined a polished steel bezel paired with a salmon dial, a classic silvery-white dial, and our envisioned black dial.

Last but not least, in a classic move for the brand, we can imagine the Rolex Land-Dweller in different combinations of materials, such as Rolesor in yellow gold, with the precious metal applied to the bezel, crown, bracelet’s central links, and the dial’s hands and markers. And again, with the option of a fluted bezel or a smooth, polished bezel.

A Refreshed Explorer II

Following these highly anticipated new models, we wanted to include something dear to our hearts in these Rolex Predictions 2026: a refreshed version of the Explorer II. In reality, this model is a favourite amongst the MONOCHROME team, but not in its current form – or basically, since 2011 and the launch of the reference 216570, a big 42mm watch with maxi-dial and maxi-case that has lost the appeal of the 5-digit models. The fact that the Explorer II reference 226570 (the current model) is one of the easiest Rolex sports watches to acquire from authorised dealers (meaning that sales aren’t booming), leads us to believe it is time for an evolution… Or maybe a return to classic traits.

What we’ve envisioned isn’t rocket science or a dramatic change, rather incremental updates to bring back the elements many loved in the 5-digit generation: smaller case, slimmer profile, no more maxi-dial. More restrained, more compact, no less performant. The recipe for a new, more appealing Explorer II is fairly simple. The case could use the same proportions as a contemporary Submariner, meaning about 40.5mm in diameter (versus 42mm currently), more tapered lugs and a case profile identical to a GMT-Master II, or even a bit thinner, as the Explorer doesn’t have to deal with a rotating bezel, which could translate into an 11.5mm case thickness.

Now, on to the dial. The current Explorer II certainly has its merits in terms of contrast and legibility, but its oversized markers and hands are far from elegant. Thus, we imagined a return to smaller hands and markers, just like the 5-digit generation has, as well as a smaller GMT hand, in classic orange. The two editions of the Explorer II, with either a black dial with polished applied markers and hands, or a white dial with black outlined markers and hands, would remain.

Technically, the current Explorer II reference 226570 is fairly advanced, with its calibre 3285 and a practical bracelet and clasp. No evolutions are needed on this side if the watch is revamped; just design updates to restore its appeal.

The Daytona with a Jubilee bracelet

By popular demand, and because we’ve seen some collectors doing it themselves – and it looks fantastic – we’ve imagined the Cosmograph Daytona collection to add the option of a Jubilee bracelet, just like the GMT-Master II does. No other changes, no evolutions, just more choices by adding another bracelet style to the Daytona. And the result truly speaks for itself – it looks superb.

We’ve created four versions here, for the sake of illustration – classic steel and panda dial (ref. 126500LN), two evolutions of recently introduced models, the yellow gold and green dial “John Mayer 2.0” and the white gold and blue dial, as well as something that currently doesn’t exist, a yellow gold version with a black ceramic bezel (only available on an Oysterflex bracelet), but now with a Jubilee bracelet.

The off-catalogue Daytona Le Mans platinum and meteorite

Let’s move on to another Daytona, but this time an off-catalogue version. In 2023, Rolex surprised us with the Daytona 126529LN, with an exotic, Paul Newman-inspired dial, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. First released in white gold, this rare model, with its reverse panda dial, a specific 24-hour counter and its unique calibre 4132, was discontinued less than a year after its introduction. Yet, the whole concept resurfaced in April 2024 as an off-catalogue version in yellow gold under the reference 126528LN, and again last year in Everose gold as the reference 126525LN. Apart from the gold alloy used for the case, bezel, bracelet and dial’s hardware, all of these watches are visually and technically identical. And equally hard to acquire.

So what’s next? Steel? Probably not. But platinum could be the material used for the 2026 edition of the Daytona Le Mans, and possibly the last. As a watch linked to the 100th anniversary of the Le Mans race, the model’s existence isn’t really relevant anymore. So, what could this new and final reference 126526LN be all about? As for the exterior, the same as before, only that all elements would be made of platinum. But then, how can it be differentiated from the inaugural white gold 126529LN model?

That’s where we’ve been a little creative and given the platinum Daytona Le Mans a twist, with a meteorite panda dial (silver base, black counters), which otherwise retains the same design for the sub-counters, including its unique 24-hour sub-dial.

The Explorer Polar white dial

Now on to the prediction we can’t escape. These articles wouldn’t be the same without our signature Explorer Polar Dial. We have been including these watches in our predictions ever since 2018, without much luck, to be honest, but this year could be the one. Why? Because Tudor has done the same thing on its Ranger (basically Tudor’s version of the Explorer), and the result is pretty cool. So, now that sister company Tudor has proven the benefits of a lighter dial on this style of watch, we’re hoping that perhaps Rolex will finally listen to our wishes.

The concept is pretty simple. Take the current Explorer 36 reference 124270 and Explorer 40 reference 224270, keep everything identical – same case, movement, bracelet, handset – and simply create a mirror image of its black dial and turn it into a white “polar” dial version. The whole concept isn’t just a figment of our imagination since white dial Explorer watches have existed in the past – see this extremely rare example once auctioned by Christie’s, based on a vintage reference 6610. And even though this white dial Rolex Explorer will undoubtedly retain its unicorn status, we can still dream of it returning to standard production in a modern shape.

Since the discontinuation of the Oyster Perpetual 39 White Dial reference 114300, there hasn’t really been an alternative clean, sporty white dial watch in the collection. So yes, we believe it is now time to make the Explorer Polar White a reality.

The Perpetual 1908 Moonphase

Following several visual and material evolutions on the elegant Perpetual 1908 collection (platinum with guilloché dial, Settimo bracelet), we believe it is time for this lineup to include complications. As part of our Rolex Predictions 2026, we have imagined a Perpetual 1908 Moonphase as a starting point, available in multiple variants.

The idea, which had existed in the 1908 Perpetual’s predecessor (the Cellini), is a classic, elegant evolution of the model, with a moon phase indicator at 6 o’clock, yet executed in a slightly sleeker manner than on the Cellini (no date indication here). Positioning this additional function where the small seconds was initially located on the time-only 1908 has transformed the display, which now features a central seconds hand.

For the rest, Rolex could rely on classic executions from the current collection, with white or yellow gold cases, opaline white or black dials, and the option of the fantastic Settimo bracelet – and yes, we’ve also imagined a version in white gold. In addition, in July 2025, we predicted some evolutions for the Perpetual 1908 range, including the launch of the Settimo bracelet in white gold and platinum, as well as stone dials (malachite and lapis lazuli). These could also be released this year or in the near future.

All Pepsi GMT-Master II Could be Discontinued or Replaced

The last of our predictions doesn’t concern a possible new model, but the discontinuation of a fan’s favourite and one of the most coveted modern Rolex models, the GMT-Master II with a blue and red bezel, also known as the Pepsi. After a couple of years of rumours, it seems that the discontinuation of these models – all watches with BLRO in the reference number (steel and white gold) – could be real. Why? For once, it’s not something that you could see directly on the brand’s website, as all four watches (126710BLRO Jubilee, 126710BLRO Oyster, 126719BLRO blue dial and 126719BLRO meteorite dial) are still listed.

However, as some have pointed out (Craig Karger, founder of Wrist Enthusiast, our colleagues of Time+Tide, and several enthusiasts on forums), these GMT-Master II Pepsi models are not listed anymore on the websites of many official retailers. We’ve checked on bucherer.com (Switzerland and France), schaapcitroen.nl (Netherlands) or williambarthman.com (USA), and nothing is to be found anymore… All BLRO models are gone. With this in mind, it could be that the GMT-Master II Pepsi and its iconic blue-and-red bezel are quietly disappearing. Of course, this shouldn’t be taken as a confirmation of the discontinuation of these models. Possibly, a replacement is coming, or not… We’ll await for Rolex to confirm.

Note: This Rolex Predictions 2026 article is based on our own Photoshop mock-ups; Rolex has provided nothing officially. These are predictions based on our imagination and expectations. All images are under the license of MONOCHROME and should not be used without agreement or copyright (©Monochrome-Watches, 2026).

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