Top 14 Interesting Facts About Rolex Sky-Dweller
The Rolex Sky-Dweller has a very special place in Rolex’s collection of watches. It’s not necessarily the first watch that comes to mind when thinking about Rolex, but it is a highlight of Rolex’s watchmaking expertise and proof that Rolex does not only rely on its classic and iconic models.
Launched in 2012, it is one of Rolex’s most recent models. In this article, we highlight a watch that may not get the attention that it deserves.
In this post, we list the most interesting facts about the Rolex Sky-Dweller that you may not know about.
14 Most interesting facts about the Rolex Sky-Dweller
1. The Sky-Dweller is one of the most complicated movements created by Rolex
Some state that the Sky-Dweller is the most complicated watch from Rolex, but it is at least at the top, together with the Yacht-Master II.
The Sky-Dweller has a number of advanced functions including the display of minutes, seconds, hours, date, month, and a second-time zone. It is also an annual calendar.
2. The Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s Newest model collections
Rolex is not a brand that releases new model collections every year. In fact, it is actually a fairly rare occurrence. Instead, Rolex relies on its iconic and well-known classics such as the Submariner, Datejust, and GMT-Master II, to name a few. Remember, Rolex is about evolution, not revolution. With that said, instead of focusing on constantly releasing new models, the brand refines and improves the watches in its existing collections but improves their aesthetical, quality, reliability, and performance.
But every now and then, Rolex releases completely new model collections. The Sky-Dweller is one such watch. Released in 2012, it is currently Rolex’s most recent brand-new collection, which really has no connection to any previous model collections. It’s a brand-new model that stands on its own and is developed for travelers. Some may call it a GMT-Master II on steroids due to all its additional functions.
3. The Sky-Dweller has 72 hours of power reserve
A power reserve of three whole days when fully-wound is a rather good power-reserve. It’s certainly not as good as Panerai’s 8 days power reserve watches, but it’s generally well enough for rotating the Sky-Deller with a different timepiece. For example, wearing a different watch for a few days and then when coming back to the Sky-Dweller and have it still ticking and not having to set the time again.
4. The Sky-Dweller is protected by 11 to 14 patents
Depending on the version, the Sky-Dweller is protected by 11 to 14 patents. It’s safe to say that a lot of research and development went into the Sky-Dweller. In fact, the research and development of this model took several years.
5. The Sky-Dweller has a ring command bezel
At first glance, the fluted bezel of the Sky-Dweller may seem like a normal decorative bezel. But the fact is that it is so much more than that.
The Sky-Dweller is equipped with a so-called Ring Command bezel that interacts with the movement. By rotating the bezel, you can adjust which function is engaged by the winding crown. By rotating the ring command bezel into different positions, you can change so that you can adjust the date, local time, or reference time all from the winding crown.
The ring command bezel alone consists of 60 components to make this ingenious technology work.
6. The Sky-Dweller was only available in precious metal for the first five years
For the first five years of production, the Sky-Dweller was exclusively made in full precious metal. This includes white, yellow, or Everose gold.
This placed the Sky-Dweller into the premium price bracket and thus making it available only for a limited audience. This naturally made people neglect the Sky-Dweller, and this is part of the reason why this model has not gotten the recognition and exposure it deserved.
But this would eventually come to change….
7. Rolex introduced the stainless steel Sky-Dweller in 2017
In 2017, Rolex did something that not a lot of people expected the brand to do. The company made the Sky-Dweller available in stainless steel and thus making it appeal to a larger audience thanks to the more or less halved price. With the release of the stainless steel Sky-Dweller, the model finally started getting the recognition it always deserved, as its price tag made it accessible to more people. The entry point of the Sky-Dweller was dropped substantially.
8. It was the first new collection from Rolex since 2007 (technically since 1992)
The Sky-Dweller was released in 2012. It was the first new collection from Rolex since 2007 if you count the Yacht-Master II (which technically is a part of the Yacht-Master, even though it is substantially different from the Yacht-Master 1). But if you don’t count the Yacht-Master II, the Sky-Dweller was the first new model collection from Rolex since 1992 when the brand launched the Yacht-Master.
Rolex, as mentioned, is about evolution, not revolution, and therefore, the brand primarily focuses on consistently improving and refining its current collections. But since the Sky-Dweller has been in production for a relatively short time, there is currently only one generation. Perhaps we will see an updated version sometime in the future.
9. The Sky-Dweller has a 100-meter water resistance
The Sky-Dweller is an Oyster watch, and with that said, all Oysters have a water-resistance of at least 100meters. In the case of the Sky-Dweller, this means 100 meters. This is enough if you are going swimming or taking a shower, but remember that it is not a watch made for diving.
10. The Sky-Dweller is powered by the caliber 9001
This movement is entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. It is COSC certified.
11. Rolex introduced a gold and steel (two-tone) version in 2017
The life of the Sky-Dweller began as a watch only available in full precious metal. But in 2017, Rolex also added a two-tone (gold and steel) version of the Sky-Dweller into the collection. This watch was made in yellow Rolesor.
Technically, the stainless steel version is also a two-tone watch as its bezel is made in 18ct white gold.
12. The Sky-Dweller consists of 380 components
With that many components, it’s easy to see how it is one of Rolex’s most complicated movements.
13. Rolex introduced three models of the Sky-Dweller at Baselworld 2012
With the introduction of the new model, Rolex presented three different Sky-Dweller versions. These were: a yellow gold Sky-Dweller with a yellow gold Oyster bracelet, a white gold Sky-Dweller with a white gold Oyster bracelet, and an Everose gold Sky-Dweller with a brown leather strap.
14. The Sky-Dweller has an annual calendar complication
What many people don’t know about the Sky-Dweller is that it has an annual calendar complication. What does this mean?
An annual calendar watch only requires one adjustment from the wearer once a year. This is when February turns into March. For the rest of the year, the watch automatically adjusts to the correct date, as long as it has enough energy to continue running.
The annual calendar function is actually a rather advanced one, as the movement needs to be developed and built in such a way that it knows which months have 31 days and which have 30 days, and in what order.
