Rolex Goes Back into the Archive for a New Hype Watch 100 Years in the Making

The 100th anniversary of the Oyster case sees Rolex reissue its Jubilee dial in its boldest expression to date.

Close-up of a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch face with colorful geometric patterns and silver hands.

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By Jack Seemer

Published April 14, 2026

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Updated April 17, 2026

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The term “Jubilee” tends to refer to a bracelet.

An icon since the mid-1940s, when Rolex introduced it on the Datejust as part of the brand’s 40th anniversary, the Jubilee features both brushed and mirror-polished links in a five-across construction.

More complicated than the Oyster, it’s flashy, dressy and surprisingly comfortable. But it’s not the only “Jubilee” in Rolex-speak.

The other refers to a typographical motif scattered across a range of dials found in Rolex’s back catalog, including those found on Day-Dates and Datejusts, though usually with a subdued tonal finish.

Stainless steel Rolex watch with a colorful, geometric patterned dial standing on reflective water surface. — Reference 126000 sees the Oyster Perpetual 36 adopt Rolex’s famed Jubilee dial in a patchwork presentation of nearly a dozen colors.

Watches and Wonders Geneva: Rolex, Grand Seiko and dozens of other heavy hitters gather in Switzerland every year to release their biggest watches. Catch up on all the new novelties.

For the 100th anniversary of the Oyster, however, that motif is being repurposed for its boldest expression yet: a patchwork dial that spells out R-O-L-E-X with high-contrast colorplay.

Ten round wooden embroidery hoops with white fabric, each showing a different stage of a colorful geometric pattern with letters and shapes. — The traditional Jubilee dial featured a subdued tonal finish. Not here.

Silver metal Rolex watch with a colorful geometric patterned dial resting on a reflective surface. — The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (ref. 126000) has a water resistance rating of 100 meters.

While the pattern is no doubt the focal point here, it’s not the only torch carried on by the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (ref. 126000).

The watch arrives in 2026 as a spiritual successor to the “Celebration” dial of 2023, which helped position the Oyster Perpetual 36 as an unexpected, albeit controversial, hype watch.

Stainless steel Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch with a turquoise dial featuring colorful circular patterns. — The watch arrives in the shadow of the “Celebration” from 2023.

Regardless, the reference largely stays true to the established Oyster template, which turns 100 years old in 2026.

Inside ticks the 3230 caliber with a power reserve of 70 hours. Protecting it, of course, is an Oystersteel case measuring 36mm, which comes with a water resistance rating of 100 meters.

Silver metal wristwatch with a colorful abstract patterned dial worn on a wrist against a blue sky background. — The 126000 is 36mm and carries a traditional Oyster bracelet.

Close-up of a silver and gold Rolex watch movement mechanism with "CHRONOMETER PERPETUAL GENEVA SWISS 3230" engraved. — Inside ticks Rolex’s in-house 3230 caliber.

Per tradition, Rolex’s Oyster bracelet accompanies, preserving the other Jubilee for models such as the GMT-Master II.

Availability and pricing

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (ref. 126000) is available now, following its unveiling at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026. It carries a catalog price of $6,750.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (ref. 126000)

$6,750 at Rolex

About the Author:

Jack Seemer is the executive editor at Gear Patrol, with over a decade of experience in product journalism. He currently reports on a wide range of topics, including footwear, watches, EDC, cookware and more.

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