Once again, Rolex had a very interesting Baselworld that included updates of many much-loved standards, in particular a very handsome facelift for the Yacht-Master, and – almost unbelievably – springtime coloring on the dials of the new Oyster Perpetuals.

So without much ado – after all, this brand really needs no introduction – here are five of the new Rolex watches we saw at Baselworld, well illustrated by Ian’s on-location photography.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

The new Yacht-Master really caught our eye; this is one spectacular update to an evergreen timepiece. As it now comes in both 37 and 40 mm sizes, it can be worn by any size wrist. The – gasp! – rubber strap is not just any kind of rubber, but rather highly resistant elastomer molded over a metal core. This means it remains super comfortable but will not wear out as quickly as normal rubber.

One very nice touch is the black dial (also a Yacht-Master first) with its luminous hands and markers: the luminous material glows blue instead of the usual green.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master on the wrist

Quick Facts
Case: 40 or 37 mm, Everose gold with rotating black ceramic Cerachrom bezel
Movement: automatic Caliber 3135 (40 mm version) with blue Parachrom hairspring; automatic Caliber 2236 (37 mm version) with Syloxi silicon hairspring; both are certified C.O.S.C. chronometers and both have variable inertia balances
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Strap: patented Oysterflex elastomer strap with superelastic metal blade core
Price: $24,950 (40 mm), $22,000 (37 mm)

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Yacht-Master

Rolex Day-Date in platinum

Day-Date 40

The ice blue tone of the platinum Day-Date’s dial is highly reminiscent of the platinum anniversary Daytona of two years ago – and it’s supposed to be. That ice blue dial was a big hit for the Geneva brand, and it appealed to us once again on this new Day-Date. You will note, though, that the new watch has a lasered pattern adding yet another point of interest. The Day-Date originally appeared in 1956; this updated model is powered by a new movement.

For a look at that 2013 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona celebrating 50 years of the model, please read Big Anniversaries ‘Watched’ At Baselworld Included Rolex, Blancpain, TAG Heuer, Swatch, Seiko.

Rolex Day-Date in white gold

Quick Facts
Case: 40 mm, platinum; also available in Everose gold with sundust-style dial, white gold with silver-colored, quadrant-motif dial, and yellow gold with champagne-colored dial
Movement: automatic Caliber 3255 with patented new Chronergy escapement designed for high-energy efficiency and dependability, blue Parachrom hairspring, and 70-hour power reserve; certified C.O.S.C. chronometer
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date, weekday
Price: $62,500 (platinum), $37,550 (white gold), $34,850 (yellow gold)

Rolex Day-Date in yellow gold

Rolex Oyster Perpetual with Red Grape dial

Oyster Perpetual

Funky colors! That’s what hit us squarely in the eye when regarding the new Oyster Perpetual models (especially the one called Red Grape, which is available in four different case sizes: 39, 34, 31, 26), including the brand-new 39 mm case size, which was previously not available for this model. Then there is the dark rhodium grey dial with blue markers, the champagne-colored dial with blue markers, the olive green dial with white markers, and naturally the red grape dial with orange markers.

Oh, and did I mention the funky colors?

Rolex Oyster Perpetual with blue dial

Quick Facts
Case: 39, 36, 34, 31, and 26 mm, stainless steel
Movement: automatic Caliber 3132 (39 mm version), automatic Caliber 3130 (36 and 34 mm versions), automatic Caliber 2231 (31 and 26 mm versions); certified C.O.S.C. chronometers
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds
Price: $5,700 (39 mm)

Rolex Oyster Perpetual with rhodium grey dial

Rolex Datejust Pearlmaster 39

Datejust Pearlmaster 39

Funky colors part two arrived in the form of the new Datejust Pearlmaster 39, but this time the color is achieved by use of graduated, baguette-cut sapphires on the bezel to go with the colorful dial. Here, too, the 39 mm size is new, which reflects the modern woman’s desire for a somewhat larger watch. The sparklers are so luscious in their bright colors that they can do nothing else but automatically put you in a good mood.

Rolex Datejust Pearlmaster 39

Quick Facts
Case: 39 mm, yellow or white gold, 48 baguette-cut sapphires on bezel
Movement: automatic Caliber 3235 with patented new Chronergy escapement designed for high-energy efficiency and dependability, blue Parachrom hairspring, and 70-hour power reserve; certified C.O.S.C. chronometer
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; date
Limitation: natural limitation depending on availability of gemstones
Price: $72,900 (yellow gold), $82,900 (white gold), $102,300 (with paved dial)

Rolex Datejust Pearlmaster 39 with fully paved dial

Rolex Cellini time-only in white gold with dark dial and diamond-set bezel

Cellini

Last year, Rolex introduced its entirely new Cellini models. I was immediately enamored of them (read Does Rolex Make Dress Watches? The Cellini Range Answers That With A Resounding Yes). This year, four new extensions come with a sweet little ring of diamonds on the bezels and few other little dial tweaks.

Rolex Cellini in Everose gold with matching dial and diamond-set bezel

Quick Facts
Case: 39 mm, Everose or white gold, various diamond-setting
Movement: automatic Caliber 3132, 3165, or 3180 depending on the model
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; (date or second time zone also depending on the model)
Price: from $23,000

Rolex Cellini in white gold with diamond-set bezel