Closer Look : Rolex Sky-Dweller

New in this week at WatchObsession: Rolex Sky Dweller

 

The Sky Dweller was launched by Rolex in 2012, at the time they were not best known for creating complicated watches, but this one broke the rules. 

At first glance the Sky-Dweller may look a bit like the Rolex Day-Date, but the second, off-centered cut-away dial, and small rectangular apertures by each hour show a second time zone and calendar

 

The Sky-Dweller is a watch with a purpose, and that purpose is to make keeping track of the date across multiple time zones as painless as possible.  

It has been said that it is a Bankers version of luxury rather than an aesthete’s expression of luxury. This watch is typically Swiss like in its attention to detail, impeccable craftsmanship and use of materials.  Fortunately it is the perfection in this crafting that stops the watch from being flashy 

 

The Two Time Zones

Sitting below 12 o'clock on the dial of the Sky-Dweller is a small red arrow. This arrow points towards an off-centered rotating disc on which sits a 24-hour scale. This arrow and ring indicate your reference time, this remains constant no matter where you are in the world - from Aberystwyth to New York.  The local time on the Sky-Dweller is displayed via the center hands which show the 24 hours. It’s as easy as that.

 

The Smart Bezel
An unexpected function of the Sky-Dweller is it bezel-operated control ring. Called RING COMMAND, it is the bezel that allows the wearer to set the date, local time, and reference time, all from the crown.
With the fluted nature of the bezel, few would have any idea that the bezel has been turned to set the date, local, or reference time respectively. This is possibly the most impressive attribute of the Sky-Dweller.

The 9001 Caliber
The Sky Dweller also has the 9001 caliber, the most complex Rolex caliber made today (seven patents on the movement alone!), and one of the most complex ever made by the brand.
It has a power reserve of 72 hours, a frequency of 28,800 beats per hour, a parachrom hairspring, paraflex shock absorbers, and large variable inertia balance wheel. This movement is Rolex-robust, which is to say, it's about as robust as any mechanical watch movement in the world.