In the 50s, Rolex’s Submariner conquered the mighty oceans while the GMT-Master soared to the skies. In the 60s, the Daytona was born on the racetrack, and in the 70s, the Explorer II set out for polar exploration. Almost every Rolex model we know boasts half-a-century-worth of heritage intertwined with mankind’s greatest triumphs. Then there’s the Sky-Dweller – a new-age icon launched just over a decade ago, in 2012, as Rolex’s most complicated model ever, designed for modern jetsetters.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Rolex Sky-Dweller.
Distinction In Complexity
After the ’92 Yacht-Master, the Sky-Dweller was the first new Rolex model to debut in two decades. And while the industry expected this model to take cues from traditional icons like the Datejust and Day-Date, Rolex dared to charter new territories, chasing the path of mechanical innovation.
At first glance, you’ll realize that the Sky-Dweller stands out in Rolex’s catalogue for its elevated degree of complexity, featuring not only a one-of-a-kind annual calendar but also a dual-time complication alongside the staple, cyclops date-window feature – all packed in absolute seamlessness. A few decades ago, these terms would’ve seemed foreign to Rolex watches, but while the Sky-Dweller follows a new formula, it still brilliantly possesses the quintessential Rolex DNA. Seeing this combination of complications on a dial isn’t particularly new, but the Sky-Dweller’s unique method of execution and elegant sparsity in design is what sets it apart. With a fluted rotatable bezel and a crown that can be pulled into multiple positions, it allows you to micromanage hours, minutes, seconds, date, month, and a separate timezone from a centralized point of total control.
Understanding Its Complexities
The main attraction of the Rolex Sky-Dweller is, of course, the dial. Materialising the intersection between mechanical complexity and seamless, classic elegance, this world traveller’s timepiece features a dual time zone and an innovative annual calendar named Saros – in tribute to the astronomical phenomenon which inspired it – requiring only one date adjustment a year.
The annual calendar employs the Rolex-signature Cyclops-lensed window at three o’clock to tell the date. Upon close inspection, you’ll notice tiny windows nestled around the rim of the dial at the tip of each hour index. Between these twelve hour indexes is a jumping red marker that corresponds to the month of the year. For instance, if the red marker is at the window at one o’clock, it signifies the first month of the year: January. If it’s at two o’clock, it signifies the second month of the year: February, and so on. What sets this annual calendar apart is that it automatically jumps from month to month, except for the month of February which requires the mechanism to be adjusted for leap year.
The inverted red triangle under twelve o’clock is positioned to indicate the second time zone. This is coupled with a rotating 24-hour disc at the centre of the dial. The rotating, fluted bezel works in tandem with the crown to adjust various features of the watch.
Evolution of the Sky-Dweller
Over the last two decades, the Sky-Dweller has seen more ‘evolution’ than ‘revolution’ with its design and globetrotter spirit. At its core, the Calibre 9001, one of Rolex’s most complex movements, has been consistently refined, offering reliable functionality, chronometric accuracy and robustness against environmental factors.
When the Sky-Dweller launched in 2012, it was available exclusively in precious metals like 18-carat White Gold and Yellow Gold, which later expanded to options of Rolesor (Rolex’s proprietary gold and silver alloy) and Everose Gold. In terms of dials, it evolved from white, black, and silver dials to refreshing hues of blue, chocolate brown, green, and more over the years. While the Sky-Dweller’s dial blueprint has remained consistent, it initially offered Roman numeral or standard numeral indexes, which are now swapped out for batons. The rest of the Sky-Dweller’s DNA has remained unchanged.
Current Configurations
The case measures 42 millimetres and is comprised of your material of choice, offering waterproofness of 100 metres. Upon this rests a fluted bi-directional rotatable Rolex Ring Command bezel. The crown is screwed down, boasting a twinlock double waterproofness system.
Inside, rests the calibre 9002, developed in-house, which is self-wound, offering a 72-hour power reserve. It indicates dual time zones and an annual calendar. The 9002, being Superlative Chronometer certified (COSC + Rolex certification), employs a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, delivering precision and reliability of the highest standards. Bracelet options include sporty Oysterflex, classic Oyster, and regal Jubilee.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller is currently available in the following case material options: White Rolesor, Yellow Rolesor, Yellow Gold, White Gold, or Everose Gold. When it comes to the dial colour, Rolex offers these options: Bright Black, Bright Blue, Mint Green, Blue-Green, Intense White, Champagne, Chocolate, or Slate
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