Rolex Pastel is a series of colorful Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches, and a broader term used by collectors for the Crown’s vibrant, non-traditional watch faces. In 2025, matte dials in Pistachio Green, Sandy Beige and Lavender joined the lacquered 2020 Candy Pink, Turquoise Blue (aka Rolex Tiffany Dial), and other dials. Pastel-hued dials are a bold departure from the brand’s usual, more conservative colorways, which we will dive into in this comprehensive guide.
Key Takeaways:
- New for 2025: Rolex introduced matte finish dials in Pistachio Green, Sandy Beige, and Lavender, offering a more subdued alternative to the vibrant 2020 releases.
- Legacy 2020 Models: The glossy “Stella-inspired” dials, particularly Turquoise Blue and Candy Pink, continue to command premium prices on the secondary market.
- Market Dynamics: Several 2020 colors have been discontinued, driving up their value among collectors.
From the discontinued vibrant pastels to the new matte collections, this is your ultimate guide to Rolex’s most colorful era.
The Matte Pastel Collection: A Soothing Evolution
Rolex’s 2025 dials signal a turn in the other direction. When its watches from 2020 featured bold swatches of lacquer-coated color, this year’s new pastels are a whisper. Matte-finished, their dials’ special texturing produces a surface that scatters, rather than reflects, light. Reminiscent of a candy egg’s shell or a French macaron’s coating, they are the kind of elegant update that feels both right now and timeless, ticking smoothly into the “quiet luxury” era.
Pistachio Green (The New Flagship)
Pale and jaded, the Pistachio Green dial offers a light, minty tone that floats somewhere between mint and sage. It’s been something of a surprise hit among the 41mm collection because it’s just colorful enough to stand out without appearing too flashy. The matte, organic texture also works well with neutral wardrobes, which is always a plus. And, compared to the bolder, Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 green watches, it isn’t nearly as aggressively sporty. By contrast, Pistachio is soothing, equally at home on the weekend and at work.
Sandy Beige (The Versatile Neutral)
Arguably, Sandy Beige is the most sensible pick of the pastels. A creamy vanilla tone that sits in the middle ground between champagne and sand, this neutral color is a good match with almost any ensemble. As mentioned in our Rolex Oyster Perpetual buying guide, the Sandy Beige option capitalizes on the movement to quiet luxury, with subtlety and craftsmanship taking precedence over blingy flourishes. Furthermore, Sandy Beige is made in all five case sizes, making it a great choice for collectors with strong size preferences. Sandy Beige is also a good option for those who want to get in on the pastel trend without taking too great a leap.
Lavender (The Fashion-Forward Choice)
Lavender, for better or worse, is a fan favorite due to its colorful hue. A soft, dusty Rolex Oyster Perpetual purple watch with a bit of an inherent warmth, it’s a cool-toned color that feels unique without straying into the territory of cold purples or regular blue dials. As of the writing of this guide, the lavender dial (as well as beige and pistachio) is available in all 5 Oyster Perpetual sizes.
Rolex Pastel Dial Availability by Size
| Color | Finish | 28mm | 31mm | 34mm | 36mm | 41mm |
| Pistachio Green | Matte | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sandy Beige | Matte | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lavender | Matte | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Candy Pink | Glossy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Turquoise Blue | Glossy | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
The Glossy Pastels: The “Stella” Rebirth
The pastel craze technically started back in 2020, when Rolex released a collection of glossy, Stella-inspired lacquered dials. Their vintage muses, produced decades ago, often featured bright enamel finishes in hues like yellow, orange, and even bright green. They were considered a commercial disaster at the time, but they are now some of the most collectible Rolex watches of all time. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual releases of 2020 brought that same energy and color experimentation to a lower price point and model range.
The Turquoise Blue dial, also known as the “Tiffany” dial, for its similarity to the famous jewelry maker, was an instant success. Rolex very soon after withdrew the 41mm, making it more sought after. Prices of the 41mm turquoise on the secondary market soared with some of these Rolex Oyster Perpetual blue watches trading at 2 or even 3 times the retail price. The color still is available in 31mm and 36mm sizes but the larger case is now considered a collector’s item.
Candy Pink, or “Cotton Candy” in some watch-collecting circles, is a glossy, intense bubblegum pink hue. It’s not quite a pale pink or a dusty, washed-out color either. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Pink pairs quite naturally with the more feminine sizes, but also looks outstanding in larger sizes. The color is glossy and so has a dimensional and shiny look to it as well. The shine on this dial is very noticeable, so if you are looking for a color that is not going to blend into the background, then this is one to check out.
Other colors from the 2020 release, such as Coral Red and Yellow, have been completely discontinued in all sizes. The Yellow dial, commonly referred to as the “Minion” or “Taxi” dial by the watch community, may have been a bit too loud for some, but has since gained a cult following in some circles. Discontinued colors, like the Rolex Oyster Perpetual red dial, now enjoy significant premiums on the secondary market, though not nearly to the same extent as the Turquoise model.
Matte vs. Glossy: Which Pastel is Right for You?
Choosing between the matte 2025 releases and the glossy 2020 models comes down to personal style and how you plan to wear the watch.
- Reflectivity and Dial Presence: Glossy lacquer dials from 2020 have more impact on the wrist. They absolutely pop under direct light and shift in tone as they catch different angles. The shine gives them a sporty, energetic character. Matte dials from 2025 take the opposite approach. They diffuse light rather than reflecting it, creating a more consistent overall appearance. This gives them a tool watch aesthetic that some find more versatile.
- Wearability and Versatility: The subdued nature of matte finishes makes them easier to dress up. They transition naturally from casual settings to more formal occasions without drawing too much attention to the wrist. Glossy dials make a statement and work best when you want the watch to be more of a conversation piece. If you rotate between multiple watches or prefer your timepiece to integrate better with various outfits, matte offers more flexibility.
- Investment and Market Value: The glossy 2020 models, particularly Turquoise in 41mm, currently command higher premiums on the secondary market due to their discontinued status and sustained hype. However, market dynamics can shift. The matte 2025 releases are widely available at authorized dealers at retail prices, making them more accessible for new buyers. Whether they’ll appreciate over time depends on factors like production numbers and how long Rolex keeps them in the catalog.
- Personal Expression: Ultimately, both finishes serve very different purposes. Glossy pastels appeal to collectors who embrace bold style choices and want their watch to reflect personality. Matte pastels will most likely appeal to those who appreciate color but prefer a more refined aesthetic. Neither choice is objectively better. It really depends on how you want to wear and experience the watch.
The Future of Rolex Colors
The pastel Oyster Perpetual collection proves that Rolex can be playful without compromising its enduring design codes. If you prefer the high-voltage juiciness of the 2020 glossy dials, or the prim-and-proper reserve of the 2025 matte finishes, both have proven to be very welcome additions to the brand’s ever-growing catalog. They have found new fans who may have never given Rolex a second look in the past, and give old fans a new way to play with their wristwatch.
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches for sale now appears to be the platform for Rolex to play with color, and these pastel versions are a sign that Rolex is hearing the call of a public that wants to express itself through individuality. They’ve even extended most of the colors listed in this guide to every size option available in the OP lineup. With no signs of slowing down any time soon, the Rolex Pastels are a testament to the fact that even the most conservative watchmakers can be inspired to make brave, fashion-forward design choices.
