Watch of the Week: Rolex Sky-Dweller

As the world is slowly opening up again, traveling is once again the norm. Rolex has always been offering loyal travel companions, combining robustness and water-resistant with style and elegance. In 1954 they added to that the convenience of displaying a second time zone with the introduction of the GMT-Master. This model, and its successors, have become the go-to watch of many globetrotters since but was in 2012 joined by the Sky-Dweller.  While it can also show the time in different parts of the world simultaneously, this timepiece is another animal altogether. Its design is more reminiscent of the Datejust, making it less of a tool-watch in comparison to the sportier-styled GMT-Masters.

With a diameter of 42mm and a 100-meter water resistance, the Sky-Dweller was an instant success, as it hit a sweet spot within the market. Unlike the 1950s has traveling the globe become far more common, and for most people, a part of their lifestyle if not a business necessity. The Sky-Dweller was made for just that but has more to offer than a second time-zone display. In an ingenious way has Rolex also integrated an annual calendar within the watch. Together with the Yacht-Master II, this makes it the most complicated watch within the Rolex collection. Just like the Yacht-Master II are also the functions of the Sky-Dweller operated by the Ring Command Bezel. This makes it very easy to set the annual calendar, which only needs resetting every February, as the length of this month can vary. The annual calendar is beautifully integrated, as Rolex shows the correct month with a red-colored display behind each hour marker. As there are 12 hours as well as 12 months, this makes reading the (second) time (zone) and date/month very intuitive.

Initially, Rolex launched the Sky-Dweller in 2012 precious metals only, as this is almost a tradition with new, high-end models. In 2017 they were joined by two additional models in Rolesor, Rolex way of saying that they combine steel and yellow or white gold in a single model. The all-steel models came a year later, completing the line-up. Rolex offers its gold models on either an Oyster bracelet in matching precious metal or on their Oysterflex bracelet. The latter combines the looks of a rubber strap with the sturdiness of a bracelet, thanks to two flexible blades integrated into the black elastomer. The Rolesor and stainless steel models are only available with a bracelet, but there you can choose between either the Oyster or Jubilee design. This makes it that the Sky-Dweller collection meets the style and taste of the varied Rolex clientele, who are all united in their goal of traveling with one of the most innovative watches introduced for this purpose in recent years.