Rolex introduced the Sky-Dweller in 2012 for world travelers with dual time zones and an annual calendar. The series is characterized by a unique display of months, with apertures that change color depending on the month.
In 2017, the Sky-Dweller line was updated with baton hour markers for a more contemporary aesthetic that garnered praise from collectors and helped boost sales.
Models
The Sky-Dweller made its debut at Baselworld 2012 as Rolex’s first new model in 20 years (since the Yacht-Master launched in 1992). It sports a larger case than other Rolex models like the Submariner, Daytona, or GMT-Master. However, it’s still more appropriate for dressy occasions than a traditional sport watch. The Sky-Dweller’s 42mm Oyster case and fluted bezel are elegantly designed to complement both casual and formal attire.
The most notable feature of the Sky-Dweller is its patented Ring Command bezel, which allows the user to select functions through a series of rotations. By shifting the bezel through its different positions, the wearer can set local time, reference time, and the date or month of the annual calendar. This bezel is a stunning feat of engineering that requires a complex series of cams and levers to function correctly.
In addition to the Sky-Dweller’s impressive functionality, it also boasts an innovative annual calendar that automatically differentiates between 30- and 31-day months. It does so by utilizing the astronomical phenomenon known as Saros cycle, which is an approximate 18-year period of repeating calendar patterns that align with the Earth’s orbit around the Sun. The Sky-Dweller’s annual calendar is one of the most sophisticated mechanical features available in a Rolex watch.
When the Sky-Dweller first launched, it was only available in precious metals, making it far more expensive than other Rolex watches. To address this issue, Rolex introduced a few steel versions of the model in 2017, which are arguably more affordable than their gold counterparts.
Today, the Sky-Dweller is available in a variety of metals and dial colors. Its initial line-up included 18k yellow, white, and Everose gold pieces with a choice of a champagne or chocolate brown dial. Rolex also offered stainless steel Sky-Dwellers with either a Jubilee or Oysterflex bracelet or a leather strap.
The most popular Sky-Dweller is the ref. 326934, which has a bezel, crown, hands, and indices crafted in solid 18k yellow gold. Its stainless steel case and bracelet create a sleek appearance that can be worn from the beach to the boardroom. Stainless steel Sky-Dwellers are also lighter than their gold counterparts and are better at withstanding daily wear and tear, which is important for a watch intended to be worn frequently.
Materials
The Sky-Dweller’s dual time feature, annual calendar, and luxury design have made it a popular choice among world travelers, business professionals, and watch enthusiasts. Despite its relatively recent launch, it’s already become one of Rolex’s most popular collections – especially among celebrities like David Beckham and Will Smith. Whether you’re considering buying a Sky-Dweller for the first time or adding to your collection, it’s important to understand the different materials available within this model, so you can make the best decision for your personal style.
The original Sky-Dweller models were introduced in 2012 and featured 18k yellow, white, and Everose gold cases with either champagne or chocolate brown dials that perfectly complimented their respective metal alloys. These original models also utilized black indicators for the annual calendar and dual time functionality, which helped to create a more sophisticated look.
In 2014, Rolex made the Sky-Dweller even more versatile by introducing new gold bracelet options for each of its shades of gold. For instance, the yellow gold version could be paired with a leather strap and the white and Everose models were offered with a matching Oyster bracelet. Additionally, the annual calendar indicator was changed to red on these new references, helping to further distinguish them from their gold-only counterparts.
This year, Rolex expanded the Sky-Dweller collection by introducing two new references that use stainless steel instead of gold. The most affordable, known as the Yellow Rolesor, features a stainless steel case, yellow gold fluted bezel and winding crown, and an Oyster bracelet with both stainless steel center links and yellow gold outer ones. The other new Sky-Dweller, referred to as the White Rolesor, uses even more stainless steel, with only the bezel and winding crown made of gold.
Regardless of which material you choose, the Sky-Dweller will continue to offer the same exceptional features that made it so popular in its debut. These include a 42mm Oyster case with Twinlock winding crown, 100-meter water resistance, Caliber 9001 movement, and annual calendar plus dual time capabilities. Additionally, all Sky-Dweller watches come with a comfort extension link that allows you to lengthen the bracelet without needing tools.
Straps
The Sky-Dweller was a trailblazer for Rolex when it first debuted in 2012. It was the brand’s first new model to incorporate both a dual time and annual calendar complication, catering to cosmopolitan individuals who value refined luxury.
The resulting watch is an impressive blend of aesthetics and function, making it ideal for world travelers and business professionals alike. It features a larger case than other Rolex dress watches, while still maintaining an incredibly slim profile, offering a unique balance of functionality and elegance.
Its one-of-a-kind Ring Command bezel allows the wearer to easily set local and reference time, using only four positions (0 through 3). The patented design makes it easy to toggle between different time zones and even includes an annual calendar display with a month indicator (at three o’clock) that updates in one-hour increments.
In 2014, Sky-Dweller models became more approachable when Rolex added bracelets and leather strap options for each of the gold cases. These additions made it possible for collectors to choose a Sky-Dweller in yellow gold with a leather strap, white gold with a stainless steel bracelet, or Everose gold with a Rolesor bracelet.
More recently, in 2021, Rolex doubled-down on the Sky-Dweller’s luxury appeal by introducing the label’s distinguished Jubilee bracelet to Rolesor and stainless steel Sky-Dweller references. This infusion of flair instantly elevated the luxury appeal of these otherwise somewhat more accessible models.
Whether you are looking to add a touch of refinement to your current Sky-Dweller or want to purchase a complete watch from the collection, Rubber B has the perfect strap for your needs. Each strap is created using the finest materials, painstaking craftsmanship, and cutting-edge production techniques to produce a comfortable, long-lasting, and aesthetically pleasing accessory for your Rolex Sky-Dweller.
In addition to providing exceptional comfort and style, each Rubber B strap is designed exclusively for use with the Sky-Dweller 326135, 326933, and 326139 models. This ensures that the strap fits the watch perfectly, eliminating any potential for gaps or misalignment. This attention to detail allows the strap to perform at its best and gives the wearer an experience that is second to none.
Cases
With its dual time zones and annual calendar, the Sky-Dweller caters to world travelers. The model offers the convenience of a self-winding mechanical movement and an innovative dual-time feature that allows you to set home time via the 24-hour disc on the watch, while using the center hands to display local time. The Sky-Dweller is also Rolex’s first annual calendar to require only a single reset per year — a major accomplishment for a watch with such a complex caliber.
Launched in 2012, the Sky-Dweller is one of Rolex’s most intelligent designs. Its case, which is larger than the average Rolex for a luxury sports watch, houses a patented mechanism that can be used to change the date and month within the annual calendar, while displaying both time zones simultaneously. This unique feature is powered by the Sky-Dweller’s calibre 9001, a self-winding movement that was entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex.
Its unique Ring Command bezel is incredibly user-friendly, with only four positions – 0 through 3, where 0 indicates all the way to the right and 3 means the bezel is turned all the way left. By shifting through these positions, a wearer can quickly and easily set the local time (via the rotating 24-hour disc), reference time, or even the date and month using the small windows on the dial.
The original line-up of Sky-Dweller models included 18k yellow gold with a champagne dial, 18k white gold with a silver dial, and Everose gold with a chocolate brown dial. The most notable change came in 2017, when the collection was expanded with Rolesor versions combining stainless steel with 18k yellow and white gold. This reduced the price and broadened the Sky-Dweller’s appeal to a wider audience of enthusiasts who enjoy the durability of stainless steel.
Although the Sky-Dweller is quite different from other Rolex models, it has been a tremendous hit since its debut. With its large yet sophisticated case and smart functionality, it’s ideal for businesspeople who need to keep track of multiple time zones and travel extensively. It’s also one of Rolex’s most affordable models that still includes a number of impressive features.
