Rolex Brand
Rolex Perpetual 1908 - The New Face Of Excellence
Luxferity, 20.02.2024
Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches fitted with the Perpetual rotor, the Perpetual 1908 is the first member of the Perpetual collection. This new collection is a reinterpretation of traditional horological style imbued with quintessential watchmaking expertise and the aesthetic heritage of Rolex.
Unveiled in 2023, the 1908 is the first representative of the Perpetual collection, which unites the time-honoured principles of traditional watchmaking style with the essence of Rolex’s know-how and aesthetic heritage. The elegance and refinement of the lines, volumes and colours are complemented by the noble materials used. Similarly, the simplicity and purity of the display highlight the technical sophistication and beauty of the movement – visible through the transparent case back.
The 1908 is defined by its design, which conveys the full strength of the watch’s character in the simplicity of the display, and by details that confer its unique identity. It perfectly embodies the spirit of the Perpetual collection, at whose core lies the celebration of the art of watchmaking in its noblest form.
This elegant and understated watch was named ‘1908’ in homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf devised the name ‘Rolex’ to sign his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland.
Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches with a Perpetual rotor, it features a sleek, intense white or intense black dial graced with Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12 and faceted index hour markers. Above the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, the inscription ‘Superlative Chronometer’ attests to the watch’s performance. The hour hand is characterized by a circle just before its tip, while the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword.
REFINED ELEGANCE OF THE CASE
The 1908 features a slim 39 mm case in 18 ct yellow or white gold, with gracious lines and a transparent back that allows the refined aesthetics of the movement to be admired as well as the pivoting of the oscillating weight. The curve of the lugs is highlighted thanks to a gentle chamfering on their top edges. The bezel is divided – the lower part being given an elegant fluting and the upper part domed. Made of virtually scratchproof sapphire, the domed crystal and the transparent case back benefit from an anti-reflective coating. Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 50 metres (165 feet), the case provides optimal protection for the movement nestled inside.
THE 1908, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.
The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to strong magnetic fields and to shocks.
CALIBRE PERPETUAL 7140
The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement carries a number of patents. It offers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability.
Calibre 7140 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, made of nickel-phosphorus, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability and is also resistant to strong magnetic fields.
The movement is fitted with the patented Syloxi hairspring in silicon, produced by the brand. In addition to resisting strong magnetic fields, this hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. Its geometry, which is also patented, ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position.
The oscillator of calibre 7140 has a balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance. The oscillator is also mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, further enhancing the movement’s shock resistance.
Calibre 7140 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide a constant source of energy. Its oscillating weight is fashioned in 18 ct yellow gold and cut out. It is, furthermore, fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of this movement extends to approximately 66 hours.
Visible through the transparent case back, the 1908’s movement is beautifully finished and decorated in keeping with the brand’s uncompromising quality standards. In particular, its bridges are embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, an exclusive decoration that differs from traditional Côtes de Genève by the addition of a slight polished groove between each band.
LEATHER STRAP
The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is individually tailored for the new watch, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp, in 18 ct yellow or white gold. Thanks to its carefully designed shape, the Dualclasp always sits centred on the wrist.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
- Case reference: 52508 / Bracelet reference: 24HA08
Leather strap
CERTIFICATION
Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
International five-year guarantee
CASE
Measurements Diameter: 39 mm; thickness: 9.50 mm; lug width: 20 mm
Material: 18 ct yellow gold
Middle case: 18 ct yellow gold, polished finish
Bezel: 18 ct yellow gold, domed and fluted
Case back: 18 ct yellow gold and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, screw-down with fine fluting
Winding crown: 18 ct yellow gold, domed
Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire with double anti-reflective coating, domed
Waterproofness :50 metres (165 feet)
MOVEMENT
Calibre: 7140, manufacture Rolex, mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor, Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration, oscillating weight in 18 ct yellow gold
Precision: –2/+2 sec./day, after casing
Functions: Centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o’clock, stop-seconds for exact time setting
Oscillator Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz), Syloxi hairspring in silicon with patented geometry, balance wheel with variable inertia, high-precision regulating via two gold Microstella nuts, traversing balance bridge, high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
Escapement: Chronergy with optimized energy efficiency, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel
Jewelling: 38 rubies
Power reserve: Approximately 66 hours
DIAL
Intense white, matt, fine satin finish
3, 9, 12 numerals and faceted index hour markers in 18 ct yellow gold
Hands in 18 ct yellow gold
STRAP
Matt brown alligator leather, green calfskin lining, tone-on-tone stitching
Dualclasp (double folding clasp) in 18 ct yellow gold
- Case reference: 52509 / Bracelet reference: 24HA09
Leather strap
CERTIFICATION
Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
International five-year guarantee
CASE
Measurements Diameter: 39 mm; thickness: 9.50 mm; lug width: 20 mm
Material: 18 ct white gold
Middle case: 18 ct white gold, polished finish
Bezel: 18 ct white gold, domed and fluted
Case back: 18 ct white gold and sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, screw-down with fine fluting
Winding crown: 18 ct white gold, domed
Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire with double anti-reflective coating, domed
Waterproofness: 50 metres (165 feet)
MOVEMENT
Calibre: 7140, Manufacture Rolex, mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor, Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration, oscillating weight in 18 ct yellow gold
Precision: –2/+2 sec./day, after casing
Functions: Centre hour and minute hands, small seconds hand at 6 o’clock, stop-seconds for exact time setting
Oscillator Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz), Syloxi hairspring in silicon with patented geometry, balance wheel with variable inertia, high-precision regulating via two gold Microstella nuts, traversing balance bridge, high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers
Escapement: Chronergy with optimized energy efficiency, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet fork and escape wheel
Jewelling: 38 rubies
Power reserve: Approximately 66 hours
DIAL
Intense black, matt, fine satin finish
3, 9, 12 numerals and faceted index hour markers in 18 ct white gold
Hands in 18 ct white gold
STRAP
Matt black alligator leather, green calfskin lining, tone-on-tone stitching
Dualclasp (double folding clasp) in 18 ct white gold
