Rolex Is On a Two-Tone Kick: Four New(ish) Yellow Rolesor Watches

In addition to making luxury watches that people want to wear, Rolex is also great at making up its own lexicon. Words like Cerachrom (ceramic), Chromalight (lume), and Rolesium (a combination of platinum and steel) are peppered throughout the Swiss watchmaking giant’s marketing materials. One of the oldest entries into the Rolexicon is Rolesor, which defines a Rolex watch that includes both gold and steel components. Rolex also further segments the term into Yellow Rolesor (steel and yellow gold), White Rolesor (steel and white gold), and Everose Rolesor (steel and rose gold). With that in mind, let’s have a look at some relatively new Yellow Rolesor watches, or in normal speak, two-tone Rolex watches. 

Two-Tone Rolex GMT-Master II

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2023 marked the return of yellow gold to the GMT-Master II lineup after a few years of discontinuation. This includes a two-tone steel and yellow gold reference – the GMT-Master II ref. 126713GRNR. While two-tone models have historically been a mainstay of the GMT-Master pilot watch collection, this new-generation model includes a few upgrades.

Image Source: Rolex

First, there’s the never-before-seen gray and black Cerachrom bezel with yellow gold markings to indicate the second time zone. This bi-color bezel complements the cool steel, warm gold, and sleek black details of the watch beautifully. Then there’s the two-tone Jubilee bracelet that not only dresses up the watch but also leans into that appealing retro vibe that Rolex does so well. For added security, practicality, and comfort, the Jubilee bracelet is fitted with an Oysterlock clasp and the Easylink comfort extension link. Similar to other current-production GMT-Master II watches, the latest two-tone ref. 126713GRNR runs on Caliber 3285 with about 70 hours of power reserve. 

Two-Tone Rolex Daytona

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The very first two-tone Daytona joined the Rolex catalog in 1988, and it hasn’t left since. Of all the Daytona metal options, Yellow Rolesor is perhaps the most overlooked – but it really shouldn’t be since it’s great-looking chronograph. The newest-generation two-tone Daytona debuted in 2023 in the form of the reference 126503 and it retains its classic look while also benefitting from a new movement. 

Image Source: Rolex

As with its predecessors, the newest two-tone Daytona ref. 126503 sports a 40mm steel case topped with a yellow gold tachymeter-engraved bezel and fitted with a yellow gold crown. The customary Oyster bracelet is also two-tone where the center yellow gold links are framed by rows of steel links. Dial color options include champagne, black, and white, of course, all home to a trio of counters positioned at 3, 6, and 9. As mentioned, the movement is new; Caliber 4131 has replaced the long-running Caliber 4130 and includes updates such as Rolex’s patented Chronergy escapement and a skeletonized oscillating weight but keeps the preceding 70-hour power reserve. 

Two-Tone Rolex Explorer

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Since its introduction in 1953 and for most of its history, the Rolex Explorer was exclusively made in stainless steel. However, that all changed in 2021 when Rolex unveiled the first Yellow Rolesor Explorer watch. Most were surprised at the announcement of the steel and yellow gold Explorer ref. 124273 given that the Explorer had always been Rolex’s most understated (and affordable) sports watch. 

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However, this somewhat contrarian watch works; the familiar style of the Explorer’s compact 36mm case, stark black dial with oversized numerals at 3, 6, and 9, and trusty Oyster bracelet takes on a dash of formality thanks to the addition of the yellow gold details. It’s not a watch for everyone, yet for those who can pull it off, it’s a fantastic two-tone Rolex option. 

Two-Tone Rolex Sea-Dweller

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The Sea-Dweller, Rolex’s saturation dive watch rater to 4,000 feet deep, was another model that was exclusively made in steel for the better part of its history. But in 2019, the two-tone Sea-Dweller ref. 126603 plunged onto the scene and forever changed Rolex’s diver collection. 

Image Source: Rolex

The Sea-Dweller ref. 126603 includes a generously-sized 43mm case and a three-link Oyster braclet, both fashioned from a mix of stainless steel and yellow gold. The black Cerachrom bezel matches the black dial and yellow gold accents are found throughout the watch, from the lume-filled hour markers to the Mercedes handset to the 60-minute scale used to track immersion times. Like all Sea-Dwellers that came before it, the reference 126603 includes a helium escape valve in case you actually do want to take this snazzy saturation diver deep into the water.

That concludes our round-up of two-tone Rolex watches released over the last few years, some expected and some quite surprising. Two-tone watches seem to fall in and out of favor fairly regularly, depending on what so-called tastemakers have to say. And even if we’re in a two-tone watch renaissance right now, I think it’s safe to say that two-tone is not a trend – it’s a classic style that will always have a place in the watch space.