The Entirely New Rolex Perpetual 1908 - Tradition Reimagined

At Watches and Wonders this year, Rolex unveiled an entirely new watch, and in doing so opened a new collection. The Rolex Perpetual 1908 is named for the date the ‘Rolex’ trademark was officially registered in Switzerland. The dial is inspired by the Oyster Perpetual from 1931. It is offered in four versions, with cases crafted in 18ct yellow or 18ct white gold, and either an intense white or intense black dial.

The new Perpetual collection redefines the traditional wristwatch in the avant-garde spirit of Rolex. As the first addition to the new collection, the Perpetual 1908 complements the brand’s extensive offering of professional watches. 

Slim and elegant, the 39mm diameter case is fitted with a transparent case back which allows the quality of the movement finishings to be admired. The domed bezel maintains a low profile, with subtle fluting around the circumference evoking classic Rolex style. The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is individually tailored for the new watch, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. Owing to its carefully designed shape, the Dualclasp always sits centred on the wrist. 

Rolex’s watchmaking heritage is present in the shape of the faceted hour markers and hands, which are crafted from 18ct white or yellow gold to match the case. A subtle grained texture adds depth to the white dial, while the black dial is matte for an understated finish. Small seconds are displayed at 6 o’clock, a traditional choice incorporated into a clean modern aesthetic.

In a new avenue for Rolex, the movement is displayed through a sapphire crystal case back. Along with the cut-out oscillating weight in 18ct yellow gold, the new Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration adds a unique flair to the Calibre 7140, which was designed especially for this watch. Rolex engineered this movement to be as thin as possible, reducing the thickness of the Perpetual 1908 by a third compared to the watches in the Oyster Perpetual collection. In the process they filed five patents representing numerous technical innovations. 

The Calibre 7140 is self-winding, with a 66-hour power reserve, and features stop seconds for exact time setting. It is fitted with the Syloxi hairspring, Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers, underpinning the aesthetic refinement of the Perpetual 1908 with engineering excellence. 

Here at Prestons, our partnership with Rolex has spanned over 30 years. Each of our showrooms offers the perfect environment to explore the new collection with the help of our knowledgeable experts. If you would like to make an appointment, we would invite you to contact us by telephone or via our online contact form.