Rolex Leaks 2026: Setting The Record Straight

When we published our original breakdown of the Rolex "leaks" circulating ahead of Watches & Wonders 2026, we only focused on one set of images. Readers pushed back, rightfully so, and the interest made a follow-up feel necessary. Today I'd like to set the record straight on the Rolex "leaks" in 2026 so far.

These Renders Aren't Leaks

The images we examined in the original article — the ones with "SWIES MADE," "CHROROMETER," and "SUPERLATIVE CHPOHEMETER" on the dials — are AI-upscaled renders based on the "leaks," not the source images themselves. AI image generation consistently mangles text. These renders — made by Philipp Stahl a.k.a. @rolexpassionreport on Instagram — show AI depictions of the "leaked" watches, but with distinct differences, such as Stahl's added "Yacht-Master II" text on the watch's bezel.

AI-modified versions of the "source" images.

Additionally, when I came across Stahl's renders and decided to use them for the article, I also found a completely separate AI-upscaled version of the original "leaks" (pictured above). While lower resolution, these images had clear AI errors and artifacts (see text errors on the Day-Date's Day display, the Yacht-Master II's "x" in "Rolex"), leading me to believe the source images were fake as well.

What the Original Images Actually Show

The “source” images, which are actually photos of photos of photos, are unsurprisingly grainy, low resolution, and visually degraded. There's also a cursor visible on the source screen — one that looks like a Photoshop cursor. That doesn't prove or refute these leaks' authenticity, but it's worth noting.

Three watches are shown straight-on: the full-white-dial Daytona, the Yacht-Master II in steel/white gold, and a jade-dial Day-Date in yellow gold. The dial text on these three is illegible, but in a way that looks consistent with a photo of a photo of a photo. One watch is shown close-up: a yellow gold version of the Yacht-Master II. A photo like this one, with visible dial text, could easily reveal AI glitches and artifacts — but it doesn't.

This Yacht-Master II design looks clearly thought through. It opts for an inner chapter ring to display the Regatta Timer readout, likely controlled by the pushers and indicated by that fourth arrow hand. Rather than the redundant Ring Command bezel from the discontinued Yacht-Master II, it features a half-graduated timing bezel. 

As mentioned in our original article, a Rolex Patent from 2023 detailing a new countdown movement does add to the legitimacy of Yacht-Master II return rumors.

Still, none of this proves or refutes these leaks' authenticity, but it's all worth noting. We're not looking at AI slop. It's either a carefully made render, an actual leak, or unfortunately, just more convincing AI slop.

Where That Leaves Us

Rolex Watches & Wonders Booth Pre-Launch (2024)

Watches & Wonders starts on April 14th, and at that point we’ll know what Rolex has cooking. What I do know is that this community's willingness to push back, flag what we got wrong, and stay engaged with the details makes covering this stuff worthwhile. The DMs and comments are much appreciated. We'll have full in-person W&W coverage starting April 14th.