Rolex Sky-Dweller 2012

Rolex website currently updating... with the expectation that a new line, the Rolex Sky-Dweller may be released shortly...



From Hodinkee:

Submariner ceramic (no-date) would look very nice 👍

The Sky-Dweller has landed!

In the flesh...

The real deal looks nicer.

Well on the bright side... Omega's releases actually look good.

Given the Sky-Dweller name and initial teaser shot, I was expecting something a bit more exciting. It seems like they've really played it safe in terms of styling.

Looks like there are three variants:

White Gold Sky-Dweller (Bracelet) Ref 326939
Yellow Gold Sky-Dweller (Bracelet) Ref 326938
Rose Gold Sky-Dweller (Strap) Ref 326935

Live pics posted by Hodinkee.com:

Details of the Rolex Cal 9001 movement:

Developed and manufactured in-house, calibre 9001 is one of the most complex movements ever created by Rolex watchmakers.
A selector wheel on the outside edge of the movement ensures the interaction of the movement and the bezel of the watch to set the functions.

CHRONOMETRIC PRECISION
Calibre 9001 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. The oscillator has a blue Parachrom hairspring patented and manufactured by Rolex in an exclusive paramagnetic alloy.

SINGULAR RELIABILITY
The architecture behind the 9001, like that of all Perpetual movements at Rolex, makes it singularly reliable.
The oscillator is fitted between high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, developed and patented by Rolex, that offer 50 per cent greater resistance to shocks. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge. The Saros annual calendar and the Ring Command setting system are also designed to be exceptionally robust.

SELF-WINDING BY PERPETUAL ROTOR
Calibre 9001 is fitted with a self-winding mechanism featuring Rolex's Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing movements of the wrist to provide a constant source of energy.

CALIBRE
9001, Manufacture Rolex.
Mechanical movement with bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor on ball bearing.

PRECISION
Officially certified Swiss chronometer (COSC).

FUNCTIONS
Centre hour, minute and seconds hands.
24-hour display on off-centre disc.
Second time zone via independent rapid-setting of the hour hand.
Instantaneous annual calendar at 3 o'clock with Saros system and unrestricted bidirectional rapid-setting of the date.
Month display via 12 apertures around the circumference of the dial.
Stop-seconds for precise time setting.

OSCILLATOR
Frequency: 28,800 beats/hour (4 Hz).
Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring.
Traversing balance bridge.
High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers.

JEWELING
40 rubies.

POWER RESERVE
Approximately 72 hours.

Interesting that it has a 72 hour power reserve and a very similar ball bearing system to the Daytona Calibre 4130 / Yacht-Master II Calibre 4160

Given the age of the Cal 3135 this could potentially be the basis for a new time only calibre with an impressive power reserve, and a new ball bearing rotor mechanism in place of the dated sleeve bearing system.

Picture of the Rolex Cal 9001 movement:

The biggest problem this watch has by far, is that Rolex seems to have completely forgotten that there's a company called Patek Philippe that makes a model called the 5035 with Day, Date, Month, 24H which can be had for under $20k, and hell if the 24H complication isn't everything, you can have a 5146 brand new for around $35k. This Rolex Sky-Dweller appears to be priced around $38K euro on bracelet, or $32K euro on leather strap, so if you can't afford a Rolex, you may be forced to settle for a Patek Philippe.

Its sort of like if Mazda decided to release a rear engined, flat-six, two-door sports car, and price it at $200k. It might be good, but isn't there a company that's already owned that entire market segment since the 1960s?