The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller is an instant classic

One of the best surprises this year is Rolex’s completely new, and resolutely contemporary, collection positioned perfectly in the sports luxe category. 

Designed for “well-grounded men and women who build their own destinies”, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller exemplifies the spirit of the modern high-achiever — represented by none other than Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer and US classical pianist Yuja Wang, both Rolex Testimonees.

A culmination of years of research and development, this gender-neutral design is bold and innovative — inside and out. Imbued with the Rolex blueprint of watchmaking excellence, it features an impressive 32 patents, including 18 exclusive to this showpiece.

Offered in 36mm and 40mm, the watch with an instantaneous date at 3 o’clock boasts an entrancing honeycomb dial motif. The stylised cells, rendered in subtle relief, are etched using femtosecond laser engraving, while the satin finish for the intense white dial and sunray finish on the ice blue version are achieved with traditional techniques. 

Multiple display elements are exclusive to the Land-Dweller: 6 and 9 numerals inspired by those of the Explorer and Air-King models; Chromalight display of hour markers whose luminescent materials are made from a harder substance than the one typically used by the manufacture; crisp rectilinear hands; and an angled flange with a pad-printed minute track.

Encasing this captivating sight is an Oyster case that has been specially restyled and merges seamlessly with a brand-new and comfortable integrated bracelet, the Flat Jubilee. This reinterpretation of the iconic Jubilee retains the same five-piece solid link structure but with links that are all flat and a robust attachment system with ceramic inserts.

Aesthetics-wise, the watch’s signature lies in the ribbon-of-light effect achieved by the flowing lines from the middle case’s bevelled edges that extend to the polished chamfers along the bracelet silhouette.

At its heart beats the new self-winding mechanical Calibre 7135 movement, which is an evolution of the 7140 used for the Rolex 1908 and comes thinner than most Rolex movements. Superlative performance is ensured by the new Dynapulse escapement paired with a state-of-the-art oscillator bearing a high-tech ceramic balance staff, beating at frequency of 5 Hz and offering 66 hours of power reserve.

There are a total of 10 references, in white Rolesor or 18ct Everose gold with an intense white dial, as well as 950 platinum with dial in ice blue, which is a colour traditionally reserved only for the noble metal by the company. The Land-Dweller 36 and 40 in white Rolesor come with a fluted bezel, while the Everose gold and platinum models also feature diamond-set versions. 

The 36mm diamond watches flaunt 10 baguette-cut diamond hour markers and 44 trapeze-cut diamonds on the bezel, and the 40mm ones brandish 10 and 40 respectively.