The Perpetual collection was inaugurated by Rolex with the introduction of the Perpetual 1908, a name chosen to pay tribute to the year in which Hans Wilsdorf came up with the name ‘Rolex’ for his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland. The watch boasts a sleek and stylish design with a slim case topped with a bezel that features a combination of a domed and finely fluted finish. The case is made of 18 ct yellow or white gold and is fitted with a transparent case back, allowing the intricate technical details and decoration of the movement to be viewed.
The watch face is available in either an intense white or intense black version and features Arabic numerals 3, 9, and 12, along with faceted index hour markers. It also features a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock and an arc-shaped ‘Superlative Chronometer’ inscription. The hour hand is distinguishable by a circle just before the tip, while the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword. The watch is fastened to a brown or black alligator leather strap with a double folding clasp known as the Dualclasp.
The 1908 is equipped with the latest watchmaking technology, including the Chronergy escapement, Syloxi hairspring, and Paraflex shock absorbers, all incorporated in the newly unveiled calibre 7140. The watch’s bridges are finished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, which is a reinterpretation of a well-known watchmaking decoration. The calibre 7140 enables the 1908 to display the hours, minutes, and small seconds.
The Superlative Chronometer certification, which guarantees outstanding performance on the wrist, is carried by the Perpetual 1908, like all other Rolex watches.
The Perpetual 1908 is the inaugural timepiece in Rolex’s Perpetual collection, drawing inspiration from one of the brand’s first watches equipped with a Perpetual rotor. It features a 39mm case in 18 ct yellow or white gold with elegant lines and a transparent case back, allowing for appreciation of the movement and the pivoting of the oscillating weight. The bezel is divided, with the lower part featuring an elegant fluting and the upper part being domed. A virtually scratch-proof sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating protects the dial, while the watch itself is waterproof to 50 meters.
Calibre 7140, a self-winding mechanical movement wholly developed and manufactured by Rolex, powers the 1908. It boasts high precision, power reserve, convenience, and reliability, thanks to features such as the patented Chronergy escapement, nickel-phosphorus construction, and a Syloxi hairspring with patented geometry. The oscillator is mounted on high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, and the power reserve extends to approximately 66 hours. The movement’s bridges are decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève, a decoration with a slightly polished groove between each band.
The watch’s alligator leather strap is tailored to the timepiece and equipped with a Dualclasp double folding clasp in 18 ct yellow or white gold. The strap is available in matt brown or matt black, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. With its simplicity of display and unique design details, the 1908 embodies the Perpetual collection’s spirit, celebrating the art of watchmaking in its purest form.
