Rolex: The Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller

An invitation to travel

Rolex is presenting a new 18 ct yellow gold version of its Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller, fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet. The watch is the first in the Classic category to include this innovative bracelet made of high-performance elastomer. It also features a bright black, sunray-finish dial with hands and hour markers in 18 ct yellow gold. The light reflections on the case sides and lugs highlight the refined profile of the 42 mm Oyster case.

This new version is of course equipped with the fluted, rotatable bezel unique to the Sky-Dweller, which is used to set the watch in conjunction with the Ring Command system. It also has a Chromalight display: the hands and hour markers are coated or filled with a luminescent material that emits a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions.

This new version of the Sky-Dweller is equipped with calibre 9001, at the forefront of watchmaking technology.

Like all Rolex watches, the Sky-Dweller carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.

A wealth of expertise

An elegant watch for frequent travellers, the Sky-Dweller displays the time in two time zones simultaneously and has an annual calendar. The reference time, in 24-hour format, is shown via an off-centre disc, and the local time is read using conventional centre hands. The annual calendar, named Saros, automatically differentiates between 30- and 31-day months. It is operated by a patented mechanism and stands out for its innovative display: the months of the year are indicated in 12 apertures around the circumference of the dial, with the current month marked in red. The instantaneous date change is linked to the local time.

The Sky-Dweller includes the Ring Command system, an interface between the rotatable bezel, winding crown and movement that allows the wearer to select and set the timepiece’s functions one by
one, easily, quickly and securely.

The Oyster case, symbol of waterproofness

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the Oyster case of the Sky-Dweller is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case is crafted from a solid piece of 18 ct yellow gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and is fitted with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

Perpetual calibre 9001

This new version of the Sky-Dweller is equipped with calibre 9001, a movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. With multiple patents filed, this mechanical, self-winding movement is one
of the most complex calibres created by the brand. Its architecture, manufacturing and innovative features make it exceptionally precise and reliable.

Calibre 9001 has a blue Parachrom hairspring manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is fitted on the Rolex-designed and -patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 9001 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor and offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Oysterflex bracelet

The new 18 ct yellow gold version of the Sky-Dweller is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. Developed and patented by Rolex, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible metal blades manufactured from a titanium and nickel alloy. The blades are overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and very durable. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with longitudinal cushions.

The Oysterflex bracelet on this new version of the Sky-Dweller is equipped with a folding Oysterclasp in 18 ct yellow gold, designed and patented by Rolex. In addition, it features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, also developed and patented by the brand. This particularly inventive mechanism comprises a rack located under the clasp cover and a toothed sliding link that locks into the chosen
notch. The Rolex Glidelock on the Oysterflex bracelet has six notches of approximately 2.5 mm, allowing the length of the bracelet to be adjusted easily, and without tools, up to some 15 mm.

Superlative Chronometer certification

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller 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 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 precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day, or more than twice that required of an official chronometer.

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 Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller

Case reference

- 326238

Oysterflex bracelet

Category

- Oyster Perpetual

- Classic

Case:

• Oyster (monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown)

Diameter

• 42 mm

Material

• 18 ct yellow gold

Middle case

• 18 ct yellow gold, polished finish

Bezel

• 18 ct yellow gold, fluted, bidirectional rotatable; Ring Command system for function setting

Case back

• 18 ct yellow gold, solid, screw-down with fine fluting

Winding crown

• Twinlock in 18 ct yellow gold, screw-down, double waterproofness system

Crystal

• Scratch-resistant sapphire

• Cyclops lens over the date with double antireflective coating

Waterproofness

• 100 metres (330 feet)

Movement:

• Calibre 9001, Manufacture Rolex

• Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor

Precision

• −2 /+2 sec/day, after casing

Functions

• Centre hour, minute and seconds hands

• Local time via conventional hands, independent rapid-setting of the hour hand

• Reference time via 24-hour, off-centre disc

• Instantaneous annual calendar via

Saros system: rapid, bidirectional and secure setting of the date at 3 o’clock, month display via 12 apertures around the circumference of the dial

• Stop-seconds for exact time setting

Oscillator

• Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz)

• Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring

• Rolex overcoil

• Large balance wheel with variable inertia

• High-precision regulating via four gold

Microstella nuts

• Traversing balance bridge

• High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers

Jewelling

• 40 rubies

Power reserve

• Approximately 72 hours

Dial:

• Bright black, gloss, sunray finish

• Hour markers in 18 ct yellow gold, highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow)

• Hands in 18 ct yellow gold. Highly legible Chromalight (long-lasting luminescence, blue glow) apart from the seconds hand

Bracelet:

• Oysterflex

• Flexible metal blades overmoulded with high-performance elastomer

• Folding Oysterclasp in 18 ct yellow gold

• Rolex Glidelock extension system (approx. 15 mm in increments of approx. 2.5 mm)