The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller is quite an evolution for the famous Swiss watchmaker. Apart from the look, which is distinguished by a slimmer, restyled Oyster case, a honeycomb laser-engraved dial, and a newly developed integrated Flat Jubilee bracelet that plays with polished and satin finish, there is the precision.
The Land-Dweller has a new movement (calibre 7135) that beats at 5 Hz, which is 36,000 times an hour, or 600 times each minute. This means the seconds hand has a fluent motion, jumping 10 times every second, and the watch measures to a 10th of a second; the minute track around the dial displays half-seconds.
Frank Vernay, Rolex’s head of movements, explains why this matters: ‘A higher frequency confers greater stability to the rate of the watch in all circumstances. Robustness and reliability are enhanced, no matter the activity the wearer may be engaged in.’ But to get there wasn’t easy. ‘Increasing the frequency from 4 Hz to 5 Hz constitutes a major step for Rolex in the history of precision,’ says Vernay. The self-winding timepiece has a power reserve of around 66 hours and is accurate to within plus or minus two seconds a day.
The Land-Dweller comes in two sizes, 40mm and 36mm. It is also made in three different metal options: white Rolesor (a blend of Oystersteel and white gold),18k Everose gold and 950 platinum. Dials are white or ice blue and some versions have baguette-cut and trapeze-cut diamonds. It is waterproof down to 100 metres, and also displays the date.
As Davide Airoldi, Rolex’s head of design, says: ‘In terms of appearance, the visual fluidity between the Flat Jubilee bracelet and the Oyster case lends great elegance to the Land-Dweller, which is as robust and reliable as other Rolex watches. Everything comes together to make this new watch an ideal timepiece for all occasions.’
Discover the Rolex Land-Dweller at davidmrobinson.co.uk
Peter Howarth is the editorial director of Secret Trips
