Being a left-hander in the watch world isn’t easy, but Rolex is doing its best to offer lefties the chance at a serious timepiece in 2022 with the announcement of a left-handed GMT-Master II with an exclusive green and black bezel. While Tudor, Panerai, and TAG Heuer have offered quality options dedicated to left-handers for years, we’ve only seen a handful of custom order Rolexes designed for left-handers float across the auction block in recent years – most notably this Stella dial Ref. 1803 in 2015.
Is this going to be the most sought-after Rolex to release this year? We think so, but you can be the judge by checking out every watch Rolex is releasing in 2022 with our list down below.
Related: Rolex Unveils 14 ‘Out-Of-This-World’ Men’s Releases for 2021.
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II
The most unexpected yet welcomed release from Watch and Wonders 2022 comes by way of a right-handed Rolex GMT-Master II that essentially flips the famous reference 180-degrees. Here the crown, crown guard and watch case have all been moved to the left side, alongside the Cyclops lens that now appears at 9 o’clock. Considering the significant changes to the dial and movement the watch still claims the Superlative Chronometer certification required as a protocol for all Rolex models. This is also the first time we’ve seen a green and black ceramic pairing on the bezel on a GMT-Master II.
Most notable is the Calibre 3285 movement which has the ability to display hours, minutes, seconds, and dates with an additional time zone in 24-hours format. Essentially that means either the local time and the reference time, or the local time and that of an alternative time zone. With a retail price of $15,500 AUD, this is the Rolex to have in 2022.
Dimension: Ø 40.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 3285
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Material: Solid Oystersteel, monobloc cerachrom bezels and bezel inserts.
Colour: Green and black ceramic, Oyster Steel
Price: $15,500 AUD
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual Air-King
Paying tribute to the pilots of the 1930s generation the Rolex Air-King keeps the same 40mm Oyster case, 3, 6, and 9 numerals and tribute ‘Air-King’ lettering on the dial for 2022. Since 2016 the dial has featured a black colour and that remains for 2022 alongside the 100-metre water-resistant rating and Twinlock winding crown. The reliable calibre 3220 automatic movement – that has been featured since 2020 – remains for the new model as does the new-generation Chromalight display for legibility in dark conditions. Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Air-King carries the Superlative Chronometer certification.
So what’s changed on the Air-King for 2022? The latest in the Air-King lineup features a completely redesigned case with a crown guard and straight sides unlike most watches in the professional category. The Centrelink in the bracelet has been widened with an Oysterlock safety clamp available on the model for the first time and keen eyes will notice the new ‘0’ numerator next to the ‘5’ on the minute’s scale balancing the numbers with two digits for all 5-minute markers. We expect the new balanced dial to be a hit amongst collectors.
Dimension: Ø 40.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 3230
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Material: Solid Oystersteel
Colour: Black Dial, Oyster Steel Case
Price: $10,350 AUD
Related: Phillips to Auction $3.5 Million Rolex Capable of Bottoming the Mariana Trench.
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual Day-Date 40
The first calendar watches to display the day of the week (available in 26 languages) alongside the date itself, the Day-Date has been worn by famous political figures for decades with its ‘President’ style bracelet. New versions of the Day-Date 40 have been equipped with calibre 3255 since 2015 and define quality Rolex watchmaking.
Only available in precious materials such as 18 ct yellow, white or Everose gold, today, Rolex unveiled the Day-Date 40 will be produced in 950 Platinum for the first time ever, alongside fluted bezels. To accomplish such a feat the brand had to come up with an innovative new manufacturing process to produce fluting in a perfect shape to recreate the sparkling surfaces. Available by ‘price on request’ this one will only be offered to Rolex’s most esteemed clientele.
Dimension: Ø 40.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 3255
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Material: 950 Platinum
Colour: Ice blue dial
Price: Price on request
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 42
Launched in 1992 to aid navigators and skippers in their water-based journeys the Yacht-Master has been a favourite of nautical heroes ever since. In 2022, yellow gold will grace the Yacht-Master 42 for the first time ever, redefining the famous sailing themed timepiece for the foreseeable future. Instantly recognised by the 60-minute bezel made from precious metal and coated in monobloc ceramic material that’s virtually scratchproof, the watch stays true to its recent history mechanically with a 3235 movement and patented Chronergy escapement.
Dimension: Ø 42.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 3235
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Material: Oystersteel, 18ct Yellow Gold
Colour: Yellow Gold, Black, Oyster Steel
Price: $39,950 AUD
Related: What the 2022 Rolex Price Increase Actually Means
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual DateJust 31
Floral motifs grace the DateJust 31 in three different colours for 2022 (sunray, matt or grained). Two of the three watches (linked below) feature brilliant-cut diamonds in the bezel and a president bracelet for extra watch collecting cred and style.
Dimension: Ø 31.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 2236
Power Reserve: 55 hours
Material: Solid Oystersteel, White Gold
Colour: Design comprising of 24 flowers, Oyster Steel
Price: $14,200 AUD
Image: Rolex/ Alain Costa
Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master 40
If the Yellow-gold editions to the Yacht-Master 42 weren’t flashy enough then maybe 46 brilliant-cut diamonds, trapeze-cut diamonds and sapphires might suffice. New for 2022, the Yacht-Master 40 will be cast from white gold and feature a rotatable bezel set with a sparkling array of stones. Expect to see Drake rocking this one courtside at a Playoff game this season.
Dimension: Ø 40.00mm
Movement Type: Calibre 3235
Power Reserve: 70 hours
Bezel: Trapeze-cut diamonds and sapphires in tones of blue, silver and pink.
Case: 46 brilliant-cut diamonds from the lugs to the crown guard.
Price: Price on request.
Related: Floyd Mayweather Just Bought His 5-Week Old Grandson a Diamond-Encrusted Rolex
General FAQ
New for 2022, Rolex unveiled its first GMT-Master II with a flipped date and crown for left handed people. To do so the brand had to completely re-engineer the movement to meet certification.
Rolex recently unveiled its DateJust 31 in three new variants aimed at women in 2022. All three feature a 24 flower motif on the dial and are available in steel, rose gold, and white gold.
Money no object, the latest Day-Date featured in 950 Platinum would be our pick for the best Rolex to buy in 2022. If you're looking to make a significant profit on a Rolex watch, we recommend trying to acquire the left handed GMT-Master II.
