The Watchology has covered luxury and vintage watches since 2015, with hands-on experience across Rolex, Omega, Panerai and beyond. Specifications in this article are cross-checked against manufacturer information and established horology references. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Back in early 2017, ahead of Baselworld, we published six predictions for what Rolex might unveil – a mix of forum speculation, patterns from past fairs and a healthy dose of wishlist. Years on, it is worth revisiting those calls and scoring them honestly against what Rolex actually launched. Here is how our Baselworld 2017 predictions held up.
How we made the predictions
Our forecasts were based on speculation, what Rolex had shown at previous Baselworld fairs, and data compounded from collector forums. Looking back at Baselworld 2016 gave the clearest hints: the star that year was the Daytona Ceramic Steel 116500LN, alongside a new Explorer, the Datejust 41 and an Air-King with a colourful pilot dial. The lesson was that Rolex tends to make subtle, incremental changes – new bracelets, colours and materials – while occasionally reviving a historic model. With that framing, here is how each prediction fared.
Prediction 1: GMT-Master II “Coke” — Verdict: Hit
We predicted Rolex would revive the discontinued red-and-black “Coke” GMT-Master, riding the wave of demand created by the 2014 Pepsi 116719 BLRO. This came true. Rolex brought the red-and-black colourway back with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel and a stainless-steel case – arguably even better than we hoped, since we had guessed it would arrive in pricey white gold.
Prediction 2: Sea-Dweller 50th Anniversary — Verdict: Hit (with a twist)
We called a 50th-anniversary Sea-Dweller, and Rolex delivered – though not quite as we imagined. We guessed an 18ct white-gold model with a navy dial; instead Rolex released the steel Sea-Dweller 126600, with a larger 43mm case, the new-generation calibre 3235 (the first Professional model to use it), a 70-hour power reserve and, for the first time on a Sea-Dweller, a Cyclops date lens. The red “Sea-Dweller” text on the dial nodded to the 1967 original. The anniversary call was right; the details were better than our guess.
Prediction 3: Yacht-Master refresh — Verdict: Partial
We expected a steel Yacht-Master refresh with a black Cerachrom bezel after the 2015 Everose Oysterflex model. Rolex’s actual move was on the Yacht-Master II, which marked its 10th anniversary with a facelift – the centre hands swapped for Mercedes-style hands to align it with the Submariner and GMT-Master II. A refresh happened, just on a different reference than we predicted.
Prediction 4: New Daytona — Verdict: Hit
Following the 2016 steel ceramic Daytona, we predicted Rolex would expand the Daytona line again. Correct. Rolex introduced three new Cosmograph Daytona chronographs, all on the Oysterflex bracelet – broadening the collection just as we anticipated.
Prediction 5: Datejust 41 in Steel — Verdict: Hit
We reasoned that, having launched the Datejust 41 in precious metals first, Rolex would logically add a steel version with fresh dial colours. Spot on. Rolex released the stainless-steel Datejust 41 (ref. 126300), plus a Rolesor steel-and-white-gold model (ref. 126334), widening the range and lowering the entry price.
Prediction 6: Explorer II refresh — Verdict: Miss
Our final call was an Explorer II refresh. This one didn’t land. The Explorer II stayed put. The real surprises came elsewhere: the long-awaited stainless-steel Sky-Dweller, which opened that reference to a far wider market, and the quietly excellent Cellini Moonphase, with a meteorite moon disc and the calibre 3195 – the watch many called the sleeper star of the show.
Scorecard: how our 2017 predictions held up
| Prediction | Outcome | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| GMT-Master II “Coke” | Returned in steel + Cerachrom | Hit |
| Sea-Dweller 50th | Steel 126600, 43mm, cal. 3235, Cyclops | Hit (different spec) |
| Yacht-Master refresh | Yacht-Master II facelift instead | Partial |
| New Daytona | Three new Oysterflex Daytonas | Hit |
| Datejust 41 Steel | Ref. 126300 + Rolesor 126334 | Hit |
| Explorer II refresh | No change; steel Sky-Dweller & Cellini Moonphase surprised instead | Miss |
Final tally: four clear hits, one partial and one miss – a reminder that with Rolex, predicting the what is often easier than the exact spec, and that the brand still keeps a surprise or two up its sleeve.
Frequently asked questions
What was the biggest Rolex release at Baselworld 2017?
The 50th-anniversary Sea-Dweller 126600 was the headline – a 43mm steel diver with the new calibre 3235, a 70-hour power reserve and, for the first time on a Sea-Dweller, a Cyclops date lens and red dial text.
Did Rolex bring back the “Coke” GMT-Master in 2017?
Yes. Rolex revived the red-and-black GMT-Master II colourway with a Cerachrom ceramic bezel on a stainless-steel case.
Was a steel Sky-Dweller released at Baselworld 2017?
Yes – one of the show’s surprises was the stainless-steel Sky-Dweller, which made the reference far more accessible.
Did the Rolex Explorer II get updated in 2017?
No. Despite predictions of a refresh, the Explorer II was left unchanged that year.
For more on these models, browse our Rolex articles, including the Pepsi GMT-Master II 116719 BLRO and the Green Submariner “Hulk”.
Sources & further reading
Specifications verified against official manufacturer sources and established watch-industry references. The Watchology may reference third-party listings for historical pricing; figures are approximate and reflect launch-era data.