Unravelling the First Day of Watches and Wonders 2026 and the Debut of Rolex's Jubilee Gold

The first day of Watches and Wonders 2026 brought a wave of anticipation amongst horology enthusiasts. Notably, podcasters from Hodinkee Radio, with the support of Bulgari and the Octo Finissimo 37mm, captured the day’s high points. They gave updates on new releases from beloved brands like Rolex, Patek, Tudor, and Cartier, along with insights into the fair’s evolution from Mattieu Humair, the CEO of the Watches and Wonders Geneva Foundation.

The star of the day was undoubtedly Rolex’s new enamel-dialed 126502 Daytona, Patek’s 50th-anniversary offering for the Nautilus, and the curiosity and line extensions stirred by Tudor as the brand marked a 100 years. Yet, what glittered the most from Cartier wasn’t privé, it was the public unveiling of Jubilee Gold, Rolex’s first new gold alloy in over two decades.