A CLASSIC STYLE CONSTANTLY REINVENTED
Hans Wilsdorf's revolutionary innovations concerned the technical characteristics of his wristwatches, but they were also the result of an extremely marked aesthetic vision. The profile of the 18 ct yellow or white gold case and the design of the 1908 dial reinterpret the classic – albeit decidedly modern – spirit of the first Oyster Perpetual models. An authentic aesthetic signature, its elegant domed and knurled bezel translates a search for aesthetic delicacy in all its forms.
AN ESSENTIAL DESIGN THAT COMBINES PAST AND PRESENT
With Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12 and a small seconds counter at 6 o'clock, the 1908 revisits the style of a 1931 Oyster Perpetual in a markedly modern way. The dial is a reference in terms of elegance and sophistication: faceted indexes and numbers in 18 ct gold stand out against the intense white or intense black. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal, it features a delicate “chemin de fer” minute track along the edge. The 1908 features several hand styles: the minute hand is a sword-shaped one, while a hand with a perforated circle indicates the hours.
A TRANSPARENT BACK TO ADMIRE THE EXCELLENCE
By offering a timepiece that allows you to admire the movement through the transparent case back, Rolex continues to innovate while remaining faithful to its watchmaking tradition. The caliber 7140 features a three-armed 18 ct yellow gold openwork oscillating weight, which bears the inscription “Chronometer Perpetual” and is equipped with an optimized ball bearing. The movement features exceptional finishes, such as the exclusive Rolex Côtes de Genève, a reinterpretation of a well-known traditional watchmaking decoration, from which it differs by the addition of a polished groove between each striation. The virtually scratch-proof sapphire crystal case back is proof that, for Rolex, the aesthetics of the movement are as important as its performance.
THE CALIBER 7140: PERFORMANCE AND ELEGANCE
To bring the 1908 to life, Rolex experts developed the caliber 7140, a completely new self-winding movement that displays the time thanks to two central hands and a small seconds hand at 6 o'clock. The development of this caliber, entirely designed and manufactured in-house, it has led to five patent filings. In order to guarantee exceptional performance, its cutting-edge design contains some of the Manufacture's main innovations, including the Syloxi silicon balance spring, the Chronergy escapement in nickel phosphorus – both resistant to high intensity magnetic fields – and the anti-shock device Paraflex, which protect the watch's regulating organ and escape wheel from impacts.
