Rolex Unveils Its New Perpetual 1908 Collection

Rolex’s more classical Cellini watch collection has been discontinued and replaced with the new Perpetual 1908 collection. A reference to the year founder Hans Wilsdorf happened upon the brand name ‘Rolex’, this first 1908 model has classical overtones but is paired with the latest technological innovations offered by the new Rolex calibre 7140. Four models mark the collection’s debut and come in slim 39mm white or yellow gold cases with white or black dials.

Rolex’s version of an elegant dress watch, the diameter of the case is 39mm, and the thickness is just 9.50mm. Crafted in yellow or white gold, the 50m water-resistant case is polished, and the bezel, similar to the original Oyster Perpetual, is domed and fluted. The smooth ergonomic curvature of the lugs, highlighted with chamfering on the top edges, gives the watch a graceful silhouette.

The dial of the 1908 is also inspired by specific design cues of the Oyster Perpetual of 1931 with the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock and applied Arabic numerals at 3, 9 and 12 o’clock. Like the simple baton hour markers, the numerals are white or yellow gold and faceted before being applied to the white or intense black dials. Rolex has chosen a gold double-edged sword-shaped hand for the minutes and a distinctive hand with an open circle for the hours. The dial is protected by a domed, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating.

The gold screw-down fluted caseback is also equipped with a sapphire crystal revealing Rolex’s new calibre 7140 with Superlative Chronometer certification. Developed and manufactured by Rolex, this automatic movement incorporates the brand’s patented Chronergy escapement and Syloxi silicon hairspring. The oscillator is mounted on high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers to increase the movement’s shock resistance. The openworked Perpetual rotor is crafted in 18k yellow gold with an optimised ball bearing. The barrel architecture and the escapement’s efficiency translate into a power reserve of 66 hours.

The Rolex Perpetual 1908 is fitted with an elegant matte brown or black alligator strap with a green calfskin lining, tone-on-tone stitching, and a gold double-folding clasp.

The Rolex Perpetual 1908 in 18k yellow gold retails for EUR 21,850; in white gold, the retail price is EUR 23,050. For more information, please consult Rolex.com.