There’s a definite discombobulation that comes with crossing time zones. May I refer you to that dry-mouthed, bleary-eyed moment mid-flight when you’re trying to work out whether it’s time for bed or breakfast back home.
That’s precisely the kind of confusion Rolex set out to solve in 2012 with the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller – a watch created for people who live their lives in transit. Its genius lies in its ability to show two time zones at once, displayed with perfect clarity thanks to a small red triangle on a rotating 24-hour disc.
But this being Rolex, the innovation doesn’t stop there. The Sky-Dweller also features a Saros annual calendar, which automatically distinguishes between 30- and 31-day months – meaning it only needs adjusting once a year, at the end of February. Powering all of this is the Calibre 9002, an automatic movement introduced in 2023 that winds itself as you move. Take it off for a long weekend and it’ll keep ticking for around 72 hours before needing a wind.
Then there’s the Oyster case – the heart (or should that be exoskeleton?) of Rolex waterproofing since 1926, when Mercedes Gleitze wore the first version while swimming the English Channel. The Sky-Dweller’s case is water-proof to 100 metres, thanks to its triple-sealed construction: a solid block of 18k gold, a screw-down back, and a Twinlock crown that keeps out moisture and dust. In other words, it’s as comfortable poolside as it is at cruising altitude.
Over the years, the Sky-Dweller has appeared in a range of metals and dial colours, but the standout from this year’s Watches & Wonders is the new 18k yellow-gold model with its sunray-finished bright-green dial and fluted bezel. The combination of green and gold feels unmistakably Rolex – a nod to the brand’s heritage, yet fresh enough to feel like the start of a new journey. A journey in which, for once, time is on your side.
Georgie Young is digital editor of Secret Trips
