Rolex unveils 6 new watches for 2022, including a blacked-out Yacht-Master and a surprise left-handed GMT Master II

The Swiss watchmaker released several unexpected variants of their legacy lines featuring new colors, materials, and movements. Take a look.

• Rolex unveiled six new watches during the annual Watches and Wonders conference in Geneva.
• The Swiss brand introduced new colors, materials, and movements for five of its mainstay lines.
• Arguably most surprising was a green and black GMT-Master II with a left-handed winding crown. 

First up, the Air-King, Rolex's classic offering for aviators since 1958.

Notably, the dial now features a zero in front of the five for a more balanced look, and a new Calibre 3230 movement.

"Unlike the predecessor, this model is now made with crown guards, giving it a much sportier look like the GMT and Sub," said Paul Altieri, CEO of Bob's Watches.

Source: Bob's Watches

Next, the Day-Date 40 in platinum with its classic President bracelet, and, for the first time, the Rolex fluted bezel.

The new ice-blue dial lets the world know what this watch is made of.

The waterproof case is machined from a solid block of 950 platinum and closed using a tool that is exclusive to Rolex watchmakers.

Continuing with the colorful dials, the new Datejust 31 features 24 flowers centered by a diamond at the center of each.

Three versions will be available: azzurro blue and white gold; olive green and yellow gold; and Everose gold and silver.

The new Datejust 31 carries the Calibre 2236 movement, as it has since 2018.

Rolex says this year's Yacht-Master 40 is "inspired by the aurora borealis and the glow of dawn."

The rotatable bezel features trapeze-cut stones — pink sapphire, light blue sapphire, diamond, purple sapphire, and dark blue sapphire — in a sequence repeated eight times.

A triangular diamond marks 12 o'clock, and the case is embedded with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Traditionally offered in white gold, the Yacht-Master 42 is now available in 18 carat yellow gold.

The yellow gold contrasts luxuriously against the black dial, and the markings have a new luminescent material that will glow brighter than ever.

The bi-directional bezel in matte black ceramic features raised graduations and numerals, and the Oysterflex bracelet finishes the blacked-out look.

Last, but not least, the novel GMT-Master II is sure to cause more than a few double-takes.

"A GMT-Master II for lefties? No one saw this coming," Altieri said.

Rolex says moving the stem and date window to the other side of the watch actually required a considerable amount of engineering in order to maintain its official Superlative Chronometer certification.

"No doubt this will be a tough piece to acquire," Altieri said. "It might encourage double wristers — I want one!"