Rolex’s Most Anticipated 2025 Release Is Already on Federer’s Wrist

Over the weekend, Roger Federer was seen wearing a Rolex—not exactly a surprise given his longstanding ambassadorship with the brand. In fact, he’s one of Rolex’s most enduring partners, embodying everything the brand represents: precision, elegance, and Swiss excellence. But this time, while indulging in some fondue, something unusual caught the attention of watch lovers everywhere. On his wrist was a Rolex model not found in the current collection. Now, as Watches & Wonders kicks off, the mystery is solved: Federer was wearing the brand-new Land-Dweller.

The Land-Dweller may be grabbing the headlines, but it’s just one of many exciting new models Rolex has revealed this year. Here’s the full rundown.

A Groundbreaking Release for the Grounded

It’s a rare event when Rolex unveils an entirely new collection. The 1908, introduced in 2023, was more of a modern replacement for the Cellini line. To find Rolex’s last wholly original model before that, you’d have to go back to the 2012 debut of the Sky-Dweller. That makes the Land-Dweller the first brand-new sport model in over a decade—marking a bold step for the traditionally conservative Crown.

The Land-Dweller brings several firsts to the Rolex catalog. Most notably, it houses the brand’s inaugural high-frequency movement, promising superior timekeeping accuracy over all existing models. It also introduces the Dynapulse escapement, designed for both precision and long-term durability. This new Calibre 7135 is also impressively thin, further adding to the model’s innovation.

But the updates go beyond just the movement. Rolex also reimagined design elements with the new Flat Jubilee bracelet—a reworked version of the iconic Jubilee bracelet, flattened to flow seamlessly into the watch case. Speaking of which, the angular case design pays homage to the Oysterquartz, produced from 1977 to 2003 and rumored to be influenced by legendary designer Gérald Genta, who also created icons like the Royal Oak and Nautilus. With other brands reviving Genta’s legacy, Rolex has finally entered the chat.

The name Land-Dweller completes the trilogy alongside the Sea-Dweller and Sky-Dweller. According to Rolex, the new model is “for grounded individuals who carve their own paths and recognize opportunity in every moment.” It’s available in platinum, rose gold, and a two-tone white Rolesor (steel + white gold), with honeycomb dials. Offered in 36mm and 40mm, pricing starts at 13,300 CHF (~$15,053) and goes up to 111,500 CHF (~$126,198).

GMT-Master Turns 70 with a Bang

The GMT-Master celebrates its 70th birthday this year, and Rolex is honoring the occasion in style with two lively new variants.

First up is a white gold version of the green-and-black “Sprite,” which originally debuted in 2022 in steel. This latest edition is the first white gold GMT-Master to feature a ceramic bezel. It swaps the black dial for a vivid green one, evoking memories of the famed “Hulk” Submariner (ref. 116610LV).

Then there’s a fresh take on the Root Beer GMT. This one boasts a stunning dial made from tiger iron—a natural combination of tiger’s eye, red jasper, and hematite. This move reflects Rolex’s increasing awareness of broader industry trends, from design homages to material experimentation.

A Daytona in Tiffany Blue?

Rolex continues to expand its coveted Daytona range with another attention-grabbing dial. This time, it’s a striking turquoise lacquer dial—not to be confused with the “ice blue” often paired with platinum models. This particular hue calls back to the 2020 Oyster Perpetual Tiffany blue dial that collectors quickly snapped up. Rolex’s sister brand Tudor recently followed suit with a “Flamingo Blue” Black Bay Chrono, showing that the color continues to charm.

The 1908 Gets a Luxe Gold Bracelet

Another surprise upgrade is for the 1908, which gets a brand-new bracelet. Dubbed the Settimo, this piece is made up of seven fine links, offering a look inspired by vintage jewelry-style bracelets. Rolex notes this bracelet pays homage to the elegant bands once seen on historic dress watches—and it elevates the 1908 far beyond its original leather-strap versions.

New Pastel Oyster Perpetuals

Rolex always has fun with the Oyster Perpetual, and this year is no different. Although we didn’t get another “Celebration” dial, the brand launched three new dial colors in a soft matte finish: lavender, beige, and pistachio green—each sweet enough to be dessert.

Sky-Dweller Gets the John Mayer Treatment

Last but not least, the Sky-Dweller joins the party. This update features a green dial paired with a yellow gold case—a combination that collectors will recognize from the now-iconic “John Mayer Daytona,” made famous by the musician’s appearance on Talking Watches. That watch skyrocketed in value, and Rolex seems to be leaning into that formula once more.