Rolex has launched a new 18 ct yellow gold version of its Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller watch, fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet. Dressed in a refined 42 mm diameter Oyster type case, this timepiece also features a bright black, sunray-finish dial with hands and hour markers in 18 ct yellow gold.
The fluted, rotatable bezel is unique to the Sky-Dweller, which is used to set the watch in conjunction with the Ring Command system. This new model has a bright black dial. Thanks to the proprietary Chromalight display, the hands and hour markers emit a long-lasting blue glow in dark conditions.
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 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.
Endowed with an Oyster type construction featuring a 18K yellow gold middle case, the new Sky-Dweller is waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The hermetically screwed down yellow gold case back has fine fluted edges. The Twinlock winding crown, fitted with a double waterproofness system, screws down securely against the case. The sapphire crystal glass comes with a Cyclops lens at 3 o’clock for easy reading of the date.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Yellow Gold Movement
The beating heart of the new Sky-Dweller is 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.
The Calibre 9001 hosts 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 with Rolex overcoil ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator fitted on Paraflex shock absorbers increases the movement’s shock resistance. Moreover, Calibre 9001 offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
Like all Rolex watches, the Sky-Dweller is a Superlative Chronometer.
Oysterflex Bracelet
Sky-Dweller is the first Rolex watch in the Classic category to include this innovative bracelet made of high-performance elastomer.
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 features longitudinal cushions.
The Oysterflex bracelet comes with a folding Oysterclasp in 18 ct yellow gold the Rolex Glidelock extension system. 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.
A Certified Rolex Superlative Chronometer, Sky-Dweller offers an exceptional precision of −2 /+2 seconds per day, or more than twice that required of an official chronometer.
Technical details
Model: Rolex Sky-Dweller Yellow Gold, Reference 326238-0009
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
Jewelling: 40 rubies
Power reserve: Approximately 72 hours
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
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
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)
Certification
Superlative Chronometer (COSC + Rolex certification after casing)
Guarantee
International five-year guarantee
