The Rolex Sky-Dweller, A Worldly Classic
If you’re a jet-setting, globe-trotting, high-flying kind of person, then Rolex have a watch for you. Well, they are Rolex, so of course they have a watch for you. But the Rolex Sky-Dweller in particular is just the ticket for juggling multiple timezones and situations. These timepieces stand out for their unique and complex design, which combines the functionality of a chronograph with the convenience of a dual time zone display.
The Sky-Dweller features a large, 42mm diameter case that is made from either 18k white gold, yellow gold, Everose gold (Rolex’s proprietary blend of pink gold) and Oystersteel. The watch is equipped with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and a screw-down crown that helps the case achieve water-resistance to a depth of 100 metres.
One of the standout features of this watch is its rotatable Ring Command bezel, which is a patented innovation that connects to the movement and allows you to easily operate the watch’s various functions. The bezel can be turned to one of three positions to select the date, local time or reference time. The selected function can then be rapidly adjusted in either direction using the winding crown.
And another standout feature is the unique dial design. The watch has a central hour, minute, and seconds hand, as well as a date display at the 3 o’clock position. The dial also features an offset 24-hour display, which is useful for keeping track of the time in a second time zone. It can be set quickly and easily by means of a mechanism that allows the hour hand to be adjusted independently in one-hour increments both forwards and backwards.
Oh and another standout feature, (I guess there is no rule that there has to be just one standout feature) is the use of a Saros annual calendar shown via a deep red indicator around the edge of the dial at the edge of each indices.
The Saros calendar is a type of calendar that takes into account the varying lengths of the months in a year. Unlike a standard calendar, which has 12 fixed months of equal length, the Saros annual calendar has 13 months of varying lengths, with each month corresponding to the actual length of the month in a given year.
It is a cool but complex system that allows a watch to automatically adjust the date display at the end of each month, taking into account the varying lengths of the months in a year.
The Sky-Dweller is powered by the Calibre 9001, which is a self-winding mechanical movement that is entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. This movement has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, and it is chronometer-certified by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), which is a testament to its precision and reliability. It also features a blue Parachrom hairspring made from an exclusive paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks.
The Sky-Dweller is available on a variety of strap and bracelet options, including Oyster and President styles. The Oyster bracelet is made from solid metal and is fitted with Rolex’s innovative Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The President bracelet, on the other hand, is made from semi-circular links and is equipped with Rolex’s patented Crownclasp, which allows the bracelet to be easily adjusted for a perfect fit.
Regardless of your final configuration, the Rolex Sky-Dweller is a truly remarkable timepiece that just seems like an instant classic regardless of where in the world you are.