Big news at Rolex, which introduced the new Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller at Watches & Wonders, the first completely new design from Rolex since the introduction of the 1908 in 2023 and a true feat of horological engineering. The movement stands out thanks to its higher frequency of 5Hz. At the heart of its exceptional performance lies a regulating mechanism that consists of an innovative escapement and a groundbreaking oscillator.
Text: Anja Van Der Borght
Rolex begins a new chapter in its history with the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller, a completely new and very contemporary watch that is the result of all the know-how that the brand has built up to now and of more than a century of experience in watchmaking. For the Oster Perpetual Land-Dweller, no less than 32 patents were applied for; eighteen of these are exclusively for the watch and sixteen concern the movement: calibre 7135. Although it is thinner than most other Rolex movements, it offers exceptional performance. At the basis lies a regulating mechanism that consists of an innovative escapement, – the Dynapulse – and a groundbreaking oscillator.
Energy-efficient escapement
The new Dynapulse escapement from Rolex is remarkably energy-efficient and ensures a much more efficient transfer of energy to the balance wheel, without compromising the autonomy (the power reserve) of the movement. This system, designed to provide a more consistent energy transfer from the barrel to the balance wheel (the part of the watch that ‘ticks’), is the result of years of development and fine-tuning, especially in the search for the perfect shape and cooperation of each component. Rolex has filed seven patents for the new escapement mechanism. The construction is based on a sequential escapement, made from silicon – a material that is highly resistant to strong magnetic fields.
The components do not slide over each other, as with classic Swiss anchor escapements, but roll over each other. This reduces internal friction and energy loss significantly. As a result, the watch runs longer on a single winding and maintains its precision more accurately throughout the entire power reserve, with fewer fluctuations in precision, especially when the watch is either fully wound or almost unwound. Rolex has also developed a specific assembly and lubrication process to make all this possible. In short: the Dynapulse escapement is a technological highlight that works more efficiently, wears out less, and at the same time ensures the same reliability and precision as we are used to from Rolex.
Groundbreaking Oscillator
The oscillator, another important component of the regulating system of caliber 7135, also shows excellent resistance to strong magnetic fields, made possible by a number of innovations from the brand. One of these is the balance, unique in Rolex, made of advanced high-tech ceramic that is extremely stiff and strong. The balance wheel itself is made of top-grade brass. It is the first time that Rolex uses such an alloy, which, like ceramic, is resistant to strong magnetic fields. Caliber 7135 is equipped with a Syloxi hairspring with adjusted windings, which are now thicker for more strength.
This adjustment gives more power to the patented silicon hairspring, which is essential for the movement to be able to tick at a frequency of 5 Hz. Indeed, Caliber 7135 also stands out for its frequency of 5 Hz, whereas most watches use 4 Hz (4 complete back-and-forth movements per second = 8 ticks per second). The higher the frequency, the better the watch is resistant to shocks and position changes (precision), but that requires more energy. 4 Hz (or 28,800 ticks per hour) is therefore a popular choice: stable, reliable, and relatively economical. But Rolex is now shifting up a gear.
Honeycomb motif
The look of the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller is also completely new. The dial received a honeycomb motif with stylized, slightly three-dimensional cells. Its creation requires both traditional craftsmanship and advanced technologies, all mastered in-house. Furthermore, the Land-Dweller received several unique display elements. For example, the 6 and 9 are inspired by the Explorer and Air-King models and the luminous material on the hour markers covers the entire length of the element. This new design is the result of an innovative production process for which a patent has been applied. The characteristic hands, specially developed for this watch, are the dial’s other notable feature. The minute track, divided into half-seconds, is applied on a sloped flange with a stamped minute scale, contributing to the watch’s identity.
Special Oyster Case
The Land-Dweller sits in an Oyster case developed specifically for this model. The rounded, polished sides of the new case stand out. It also features a transparent sapphire case back, allowing the movement to be admired. The bezel has broader knurling compared to classic fluted bezels, giving it a more modern look. The bezel is set with lab-grown diamonds in some versions. The watch is guaranteed water-resistant to 100 meters thanks to the Oyster case. All elements of the case and bracelet are harmoniously designed and finished with alternating polished and satin finishes. The Flat Jubilee bracelet, newly designed for the Land-Dweller, is seamlessly integrated into the case and features a concealed clasp. The bracelet is equipped with ceramic inserts for greater durability and comfort. The Flat Jubilee band is very comfortable and fits the wrist perfectly.
Superlative Chronometer certification
Like all modern Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 40 and Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 36 are Superlative Chronometer-certified. This in-house certification goes beyond the official COSC chronometer certification. Rolex guarantees a precision of −2/+2 seconds per day, which is twice as exacting as COSC standards. Each watch is tested after casing to ensure its precision, power reserve, waterproofness, and self-winding efficiency meet Rolex’s strict criteria.
What’s in a name
The name ‘Land-Dweller’ is a playful nod to earlier Rolex models such as the Sea-Dweller and Sky-Dweller, which are respectively aimed at enthusiasts of deep-sea diving and aviation. With the Land-Dweller, Rolex focuses on another domain, namely everyday life on land. The watch is designed for the modern person who easily finds their way in urban environments. Thanks to its refined aesthetics with advanced technology, the watch is suitable for both daily use and formal occasions.
