The New 2023 Rolex Perpetual 1908
July 13, 2023
Change is in the air.
As the world quickly gets back on its feet, a new global dress code has emerged. Gone are the days of strict tailoring and uncomfortable formality, ushered in by a more relaxed attitude and style. International travel has reemerged, with airports around the world busier than ever, and with this, a global traveler with a penchant for new ways of living, working, and playing. It is said that "change is the only constant in music, culture, dance, or fashion," and Rolex has taken notice with a major new introduction, the Rolex Perpetual 1908.
This new Rolex timepiece reflects these times perfectly. The appeal is instantaneous. Equal parts dressy and sporty, vintage, yet entirely contemporary -- the 1908 is modern versatility at its finest.
Elements from the past and present, familiar and unfamiliar, blur together with design cues found in the 1908 to evolve into an entirely new vocabulary. Picking up details from history mixed with modern materials and technology, the Perpetual 1908 represents an inevitable evolution in Rolex excellence.
This new Rolex timepiece reflects these times perfectly. The appeal is instantaneous. Equal parts dressy and sporty, vintage, yet entirely contemporary -- the 1908 is modern versatility at its finest.
Elements from the past and present, familiar and unfamiliar, blur together with design cues found in the 1908 to evolve into an entirely new vocabulary. Picking up details from history mixed with modern materials and technology, the Perpetual 1908 represents an inevitable evolution in Rolex excellence.
THE NEW FACE OF EXCELLENCE
Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the 1908 immortalizes Rolex’s age-long daring spirit. Its conception is the result of the brand’s comprehensive in-house expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence. Rolex inaugurates its Perpetual collection with the Perpetual 1908, a name given to the model in homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf devised the name ‘Rolex’ to sign his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland. This elegant and understated watch features a slim case crowned with a bezel that is part domed and part finely fluted. In 18 ct yellow or white gold, the case is fitted with a transparent case back which allows the technical sophistication and the decoration on the movement to be seen and admired. The particularly sleek dial, either intense white or intense black depending on the version, is graced with Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12, and faceted index hour markers. It also offers a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, with the words ‘Superlative Chronometer’ above it in an arc shape. The hour hand is distinctive for the circle just before the tip, while the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword. The model is fitted on a brown or black alligator leather strap, equipped with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp. The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, unveiled this year. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this movement includes the Chronergy escapement, the Syloxi hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. It is noteworthy also for its bridges that are finished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, a reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking. Calibre 7140 enables the 1908 to display the small seconds, as well as the hours and minutes. Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY
Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches fitted with the Perpetual rotor, the 1908 is the first member of the Perpetual collection. This new collection is a reinterpretation of traditional watchmaking style imbued with quintessential watchmaking expertise and the aesthetic heritage of Rolex. The 1908 is defined by its design, which conveys the full strength of the watch’s character in the simplicity of the display and by details that confer its unique identity. This timepiece perfectly embodies the spirit of the Perpetual collection, at whose core lies the celebration of the art of watchmaking in its noblest form.
Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the 1908 immortalizes Rolex’s age-long daring spirit. Its conception is the result of the brand’s comprehensive in-house expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence. Rolex inaugurates its Perpetual collection with the Perpetual 1908, a name given to the model in homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf devised the name ‘Rolex’ to sign his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland. This elegant and understated watch features a slim case crowned with a bezel that is part domed and part finely fluted. In 18 ct yellow or white gold, the case is fitted with a transparent case back which allows the technical sophistication and the decoration on the movement to be seen and admired. The particularly sleek dial, either intense white or intense black depending on the version, is graced with Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12, and faceted index hour markers. It also offers a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock, with the words ‘Superlative Chronometer’ above it in an arc shape. The hour hand is distinctive for the circle just before the tip, while the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword. The model is fitted on a brown or black alligator leather strap, equipped with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp. The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, unveiled this year. At the forefront of watchmaking technology, this movement includes the Chronergy escapement, the Syloxi hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers. It is noteworthy also for its bridges that are finished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, a reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking. Calibre 7140 enables the 1908 to display the small seconds, as well as the hours and minutes. Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
CLASSIC AND CONTEMPORARY
Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches fitted with the Perpetual rotor, the 1908 is the first member of the Perpetual collection. This new collection is a reinterpretation of traditional watchmaking style imbued with quintessential watchmaking expertise and the aesthetic heritage of Rolex. The 1908 is defined by its design, which conveys the full strength of the watch’s character in the simplicity of the display and by details that confer its unique identity. This timepiece perfectly embodies the spirit of the Perpetual collection, at whose core lies the celebration of the art of watchmaking in its noblest form.
REFINED ELEGANCE OF THE CASE
The 1908 features a 39 mm case in 18 ct yellow or white gold, with gracious lines and a transparent back that allows the refined aesthetics of the movement to be admired as well as the pivoting of the oscillating weight. The curve of the lugs is highlighted thanks to a gentle chamfering on their top edges. The bezel is divided – the lower part being given an elegant fluting and the upper part domed. Made of virtually scratchproof sapphire, the domed crystal and the transparent case back benefit from an anti-reflective coating. Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 50 metres (165 feet), the case provides optimal protection for the movement nestled inside.
PERPETUAL CALIBRE 7140 The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a movement wholly developed and manufactured by Rolex, unveiled this year. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. Calibre 7140 demonstrates carefully finished aesthetics, notably on the bridges, which feature Rolex Côtes de Genève – a decoration that differs from traditional Côtes de Genève for the slight polished groove between each band. Calibre 7140 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement also includes the patented Syloxi hairspring, produced by Rolex. This silicon hairspring has a patented geometry that ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, designed by the brand, which increase the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is fashioned in 18 ct yellow gold and cut out. It is, furthermore, fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Calibre 7140 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 7140 extends to approximately 66 hours.
LEATHER STRAP The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is individually tailored for the new watch, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp, in 18 ct yellow or white gold. Thanks to its carefully designed shape, the Dualclasp always sits centred on the wrist.
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
PERPETUAL CALIBRE 7140 The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a movement wholly developed and manufactured by Rolex, unveiled this year. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. Calibre 7140 demonstrates carefully finished aesthetics, notably on the bridges, which feature Rolex Côtes de Genève – a decoration that differs from traditional Côtes de Genève for the slight polished groove between each band. Calibre 7140 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement also includes the patented Syloxi hairspring, produced by Rolex. This silicon hairspring has a patented geometry that ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, designed by the brand, which increase the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is fashioned in 18 ct yellow gold and cut out. It is, furthermore, fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Calibre 7140 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 7140 extends to approximately 66 hours.
LEATHER STRAP The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is individually tailored for the new watch, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with a Dualclasp, a double folding clasp, in 18 ct yellow or white gold. Thanks to its carefully designed shape, the Dualclasp always sits centred on the wrist.
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
In the worlds of style and fashion, trying to make sense of all this recent change has led to descriptors that don't quite fit the bill. Terms like "quiet luxury" or "stealth wealth" have been bandied about, but the concept is really much broader. Our clothes and accessories today must perform across a wide range of pursuits, even multiple time zones. Adaptability is key.
As for the Perpetual 1908, the new Rolex can easily go from Geneva to New York, from t-shirt and jeans to black tie, conveying all the makings of a future icon. A perfect example is rakish tennis god Roger Federer, a Rolex Testimonee since 2001, who showed up in New York a few weeks after Watches & Wonders sporting the white gold 1908 with the "intense black" dial to help co-host the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute benefit in early May.
"I believe style is found in the perfect balance of color and texture," Federer explained to GQ magazine post-event. "It's important to accessorize in moments of celebration, and for me, the finishing touch and detail is always my timepiece. The new Rolex Perpetual 1908 adds timeless elegance to my look at this year's Met Gala." Yes. timeless elegance. To perfectly summarize what the Perpetual 1908 is all about, Roger Federer might have coined the definitive phrase we are all looking for.
As for the Perpetual 1908, the new Rolex can easily go from Geneva to New York, from t-shirt and jeans to black tie, conveying all the makings of a future icon. A perfect example is rakish tennis god Roger Federer, a Rolex Testimonee since 2001, who showed up in New York a few weeks after Watches & Wonders sporting the white gold 1908 with the "intense black" dial to help co-host the Metropolitan Museum Costume Institute benefit in early May.
"I believe style is found in the perfect balance of color and texture," Federer explained to GQ magazine post-event. "It's important to accessorize in moments of celebration, and for me, the finishing touch and detail is always my timepiece. The new Rolex Perpetual 1908 adds timeless elegance to my look at this year's Met Gala." Yes. timeless elegance. To perfectly summarize what the Perpetual 1908 is all about, Roger Federer might have coined the definitive phrase we are all looking for.
Visit us to discover first-hand the new 2023 Rolex Perpetual 1908
As an Official Rolex Retailer, we are the only retailers allowed to sell Rolex watches. With the necessary skills and technical know-how, we will help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION VISIT US
As an Official Rolex Retailer, we are the only retailers allowed to sell Rolex watches. With the necessary skills and technical know-how, we will help you make the choice that will last a lifetime.
DISCOVER THE COLLECTION VISIT US
