Due to its position as the revered ‘king’ of the watch world, even amid the chaos of Watches & Wonders, when Rolex speaks, people listen.
Like most of the rest of the industry, Rolex just announced its key releases for 2025, and there’s a lot to talk about. The Daytona gets a new turquoise-blue lacquer dial while a white-gold GMT-Master II has the distinction of having Rolex’s first ceramic dial (in an appropriately envy-inducing shade of green). The Oyster Perpetual now comes in a range of pastels. And the dressy 1908 is available for the first time on a yellow-gold bracelet. But even with all that happening, the smart money—when it comes to what’ll get the industry talking—is on the Land-Dweller.
With a whopping 18 patents exclusive to the new watch (and 32 related to it in total), the Land-Dweller is both a technical leap forward and a big nod to the collector community. Consider, for instance, the fact that there’s an integrated bracelet. Before that became a Thing for watch nerds, it’d be hard to imagine Rolex bringing something quite that specific into the core offering. But now, with hardcore fans and casual observers alike enamored of the sleek but sporty design choice? Well, it seems pretty damn reasonable.
“This is a big moment for Rolex and the watch industry as a whole,” says Paul Altieri, founder of the secondhand marketplace Bob’s Watches and an expert on all things relating to the Crown. “Rolex doesn’t introduce new models lightly, and the Land-Dweller marks a rare departure from tradition. An integrated bracelet isn’t just a design shift—it’s a statement. It signals that even the most established brands recognize the evolving tastes of collectors and enthusiasts. For a company built on consistency, this kind of move is significant.”
Beyond that big-move bracelet, there’s also a striking honeycomb dial—sure to be an oft-imitated status symbol in no time flat—as well as the thin calibre 7135 movement, which is helped along by a highly energy-efficient “Dynapulse” escapement that beats at 5Hz, meaning it measures time to a tenth of a second. You can opt for the 40mm version in Rolesor (white gold and Oystersteel) or platinum; both versions come with a fluted bezel. If you prefer diamonds, the 36mm take on the Land-Dweller is offered in 18-karat Everose gold and has a bezel full of them.
While striking releases like last year’s “Celebration” Oyster Perpetual were notable for their willingness to have fun with aesthetics, the Land-Dweller is something else entirely. It’s proof positive that the folks at Rolex are willing to bet that new and lasting additions to the pantheon of legendary designs are possible in our ever-more-digitized world. Here’s hoping they’re right.