Rolex Motif Dials Over the Years

Rolex is well known for timeless designs that have survived over half a century of trends. Their restrained approach to design is so characteristic that even the slightest change creates a buzz.

Occasionally though, Rolex disrupts the norm and finds ways to excite us – and often, it’s through their dial designs. From vibrant colors to playful patterns, Rolex’s motif dials give added soul and personality to their classics. Here are our favorite Rolex motif dials, old and new.

 

Rolex President Ice Blue Dial Platinum Diamond 279136 /  Rolex President Day-Date 40 Blue Dial Platinum 228206 
Rolex President Ice Blue Dial Platinum Diamond 279136 /
President Day-Date 40 Blue Dial Platinum 228206 

 

Rolex Datejust Palm Dial

Introduced in 2021 under the Rolex Datejust 36 line, the Palm dial channels the wonders of nature and adds an artisanal dimension to the brand’s collection of classic watches.

 

Rolex Datejust 36 Stainless Steel Green Palm Dial 126200
Rolex Datejust 36 Stainless Steel Green Palm Dial 126200 (photo: Rolex)

 

When inspected closely, this type of watch face is really intriguing. The leaves are laser-engraved with great precision and set against a brushed sunray finish, accented by carefully generated tints and shadows that highlight the depth and texture of the motif.

A femtosecond laser, which emits a billionth of microsecond laser pulses onto the top of the dial at a high repetition rate, generates the palm fronds. This non-heating technology etches the surface of the dial precisely and selectively, forming patterns that are only a few tenths of a millimeter deep.

 

Rolex Datejust 36 Steel Yellow Gold and Steel Rose Gold Palm Dial Watches
Rolex Datejust 36 Steel Yellow Gold and Steel Rose Gold Palm Dial Watches

 

Eye-catching and refreshing, the palm dial comes in three colors: an olive green dial with either an Oystersteel or white Rolesor finish; a gold dial with a yellow Rolesor case and bracelet; and a silver dial with an Everose Rolesor finish on either a jubilee or Oyster bracelet. Depending on what model you choose, the palm motifs might seem chic or fun.

 


 

Rolex Datejust Fluted Motif Dial

The same cutting-edge femtosecond laser technique was employed on Rolex Datejust models with fluted motif dials, which were also released in 2021. It makes an appearance in the Datejust 36 and 41 collections.

 

Rolex Datejust Steel Yellow Gold and Steel Rose Gold Fluted Motif Dial Watches
Rolex Datejust Steel Yellow Gold and Steel Rose Gold Fluted Motif Dial Watches

 

A non-heating technology was used to engrave the surface of the fluted motif dial and to produce patterns only a few tenths of a micrometer deep. This creates an alternating finish and a gorgeous play of shadow and light. Moreover, a fluted bezel enhances the look of the said watch face and allows wearers to enjoy the exquisite pattern.

The fluted motif dial was introduced in three versions: the first in yellow Rolesor with a golden dial and a Jubilee bracelet; another in a white Rolesor version with a bright blue dial and Oyster bracelet; as well as a model in Everose Rolesor with a silver dial and a Jubilee bracelet. In 2022, Rolex added green and slate options to the Datejust 41 series, which exude an air of elegant sophistication.

 

Rolex Datejust 41 Steel White Gold Mint Green Fluted Dial 126334 /  Rolex Datejust 41 Steel Everose Gold Slate Fluted Dial 126331
Rolex Datejust 41 Steel White Gold Mint Green Fluted Dial 126334 /
Datejust 41 Steel Everose Gold Slate Fluted Dial 126331 (photos: Rolex)

 


 

Rolex Day-Date 40 Motif Dials

When the Day-Date 40 was introduced in 2015, it not only introduced a new case size for the President’s watch but also striking laser-etched designs on top of a sunray dial.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Blue Dial Platinum 228206
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Blue Dial Platinum 228206

 

The platinum edition had an ice blue dial, with an etched crosshatch motif, while the white gold model had a silver dial with a striped, quadrant motif. The rose gold version had a sundust with a pinstripe motif. These dials were some of the first to use the then-new laser-etched technology and are available only to the Day-Date 40.

Combined with batons or faceted Roman hour markers, they add a contemporary touch to the modern Day-Date. They also recall the brand’s long heritage of exotic watch faces, which frequently have fascinating names such as ‘tapestry’, ‘linen’, or ‘honeycomb’.

 

Rolex President Day-Date 40 Pinstripe Dial Everose Gold 228235 / Rolex President Day-Date 40 Quadrant Dial White Gold 228239
Rolex President Day-Date 40 Pinstripe Dial Everose Gold 228235 /
President Day-Date 40 Quadrant Dial White Gold 228239

 


 

Rolex Datejust Floral Dial

Rolex debuted a bouquet of flora-themed dial variations at Watches & Wonders 2022, creating a whimsical yet delicate impression. While flowery dials are not new to the collection, the latest range includes three different dial colors and three different configurations.

 

Rolex Datejust Midsize 31 Steel White Gold Azzurro-Blue Floral Dial Diamond 278274
Rolex Datejust Midsize 31 Steel White Gold Azzurro-Blue Floral Dial Diamond 278274 (photo: Rolex)

 

There is a silver dial with Everose Rolesor exteriors, a diamond bezel, and a jubilee bracelet; an olive green dial with a yellow gold finish and a fluted bezel; and a brilliant Azzurro-blue dial in an Oystersteel and white gold finish with a fluted bezel.

But it’s not simply the flowers and metal combinations that set this group distinct from many other beautiful 31mm Datejusts; the center of each flower (also known as a pistil) is set with a single tiny diamond. Each dial contains 24 of these valuable stones, and the result is both more intriguing and subdued than, say, diamond markers.

 

Rolex Datejust 31 Steel Everose Gold Silver Floral Dial Diamond 278381 /  Rolex Datejust 31 Steel Yellow Gold Olive Green Floral Dial Diamond 278273
Rolex Datejust 31 Steel Everose Gold Silver Floral Dial Diamond 278381 /
Datejust 31 Steel Yellow Gold Olive Green Floral Dial Diamond 278273 (photos: Rolex)

 


 

Rolex Jubilee Anniversary Dial

Rolex has been more subtle with its recent motif dials. Still, once upon a time, there were “Jubilee” dials – ones with their unmistakable logo repeatedly emblazoned on the watch face, making every Rolex timepiece pop.

 

Rolex President Day-Date Yellow Gold Diamond Dial 118238 /  Rolex President Day-Date 36mm White Gold Diamond 118239
President Day-Date Yellow Gold Diamond Dial 118238 /
President Day-Date 36mm White Gold Diamond 118239

 

As many of you may already know, Rolex introduced Datejust in 1945 in celebration of the brand’s 40th anniversary. Along with the date window, the watch also came with a new style of Rolex bracelet known as Jubilee. Fast-forward to 1985, Rolex took a similar route by releasing the Jubilee dial to commemorate the Datejust’s 40th anniversary.

The Jubilee dial, also known as the anniversary dial, has a repetitive ‘ROLEX’ pattern engraved on its surface. Over the years, it has appeared in a wide range of colors and index styles including diamonds, batons, and Roman numerals. Rolex no longer produces watches outfitted with this dial, but they can be found in the secondary market.

 


 

Each of these dials showcase the best Rolex has to offer in terms of craftsmanship and aesthetics. Explore our collection of Rolex motif dial watches at SwissWatchExpo.com.

 

Rolex Yachtmaster 40 Everose Gold Watches

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