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December 29th, 2013

Gents’ Watch of the Week: Rolex Sky Dweller

With 2014 fast approaching, what better way to round off the year here on Watch of the Week than to examine one of the most recent releases from Rolex, widely thought of as the undisputed titan within the world of luxury Swiss horology. When the Rolex Sky Dweller was first announced in 2012, most intelligence suggested that it would take the form of a new sport watch, or that it would be a complementary version of an existing Rolex model. However, popular opinion could not have been more wrong, and instead Rolex stunned the world by unveiling a brand new timepiece of bewildering complexity.

Whilst this chronometer shares notable similarities with Rolex Day Date watches, the Sky Dweller is a unique technological masterstroke that is protected by a frankly astonishing 14 patents. Whilst the Rolex GMT Master II was already available to Rolex enthusiasts with a passion for travel, the Sky Dweller takes these capabilities to a whole new level. The Sky Dweller is the pioneering Rolex to come equipped with two time zones, and also boldly displays an innovative calendar to monitor the annual passage of time. This is a watch designed for genuine globe trotters and, like all Rolex timepieces, it succeeds in fusing both form and functionality with almost disdainful ease.

The champagne dial of the Sky-Dweller allows the user to observe both ‘reference time’ – namely your home time zone – and also the local time of anywhere else in the world simultaneously. This latter is displayed using the centre hands, and the mechanism utilises a bi-directional jump-hour invention that makes certain that the dual time zones are as easy to read as possible. By contrast, only a scattering of additions were melded to the typical Rolex calendar system to form the new SAROS annual function; an innovation inspired by planetary cycles that only needs re-setting once per year as February draws to a close.

A fascinating fact concerning the Sky Dweller is that almost all of its functions perform at the bequest of the ‘Ring Command’ patented bezel. This remarkable augmentation is formed from 60 individual components, and it makes use of a double cam at the hub of the mechanism to connect the numerous related gear trains. This fluted bezel can be used to control the date or any time displayed by the chronometer at will, and was made all the more remarkable by being called upon at the same time as a brand new Perpetual self-winding Rolex movement.

The movement in question is the Caliber 9001; quite simply one of the most complex escapements ever created by Rolex. Containing 7 of the Sky Dweller’s 14 patents alone, this astounding movement cycles through 28, 800 beats in an hour, and makes use of various components including a parachrom hairspring, paraflex absorbers to combat shock and a variable inertia balance wheel.  With a 72 hour power reserve, the Caliber 9001 enables the Sky Dweller to be as robust as any watch movement currently known to the world.

With so many technological considerations to take into account, one could be forgiven for imagining that aesthetics might have come as an afterthought for the Sky Dweller. Such a thought could not be more misplaced. The 42 mm Oyster monobloc case and matched three-piece link bracelet of this Sky-Dweller are superlatively resplendent in 18 carat yellow gold, and the screwed down caseback and twinlock crown ensure that this dazzling vision of gold will remain fully functional in waters of up to 100 metres. The sapphire crystal and patented Cyclops lens are also scratch resistant and refined to a similarly velvety finish, whilst the Easylink folding Osysterclasp guarantees that this distinguished visual statement always crowns the wrist with effortless comfort.

A veritable tour de force of ocular horology, and an unparalleled way to bring Watch of the Week 2013 to its cessation, the matchless Rolex Sky Dweller is on sale today at Banks Lyon alongside many other prestigious Rolex watches. Please do not hesitate to contact our friendly and professional team for further details regarding price on application and a wealth of finance and deposit options. Call us now on 01524 38 48 58 to claim the Sky Dweller as your own today.

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