Having already conquered the heavens and the deep with the Sky-Dweller and Sea-Dweller, Rolex is now ready to take on stylish urban living with its first new collection in 13 years. Meet the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller – a watch grounded in contemporary design and a new standard of precision.
This most modern watch represents the culmination of the brand’s expertise today, the fruit of more than a century of experience in watchmaking. The Land-Dweller features a newly developed Oyster case, with a modified waterproofing system around the crystal and a restyled fluted bezel with broader notches. Paired with it is the Flat Jubilee bracelet – a slimmed-down, five-piece link design created to match the collection’s svelte profile.
Speaking of dimensions, the Land-Dweller debuts in two sizes: 36 mm and 40 mm, both measuring just 9.7 mm thick. It may feel elegant on the wrist, but it’s robust too, with a water-resistance rating of 100 metres, a Twinlock screw-down crown, and fluted case back. The watch is offered in white Rolesor (Oystersteel and white gold), 18 ct Everose gold, and 950 platinum. The white Rolesor model features a white gold fluted bezel, while the precious metal versions have matching bezels (or gem-set alternatives).
(Related: A race with time)
The dial of the Land-Dweller is graced with a honeycomb motif, a graphically appealing pattern that Rolex has revisited with even finer detailing. Each stylised cell reveals subtle relief, etched by a femtosecond laser – the same tool used to engrave the delicate lines in the grooves between each cell. The Arabic numerals at 6 and 9 o’clock echo the Explorer and Air-King but are skeletonised for a modern feel. The rectilinear hands, meanwhile, were designed especially for this collection. Dials are available in an intense white honeycomb pattern for steel and gold models, and a sunray-finished ice blue for 950 platinum versions.
This is also one of the few Rolex watches to feature a sapphire case back – and with good reason. The new calibre 7135 marks a significant technical leap as Rolex’s first in-house, high-frequency (5 Hz, or 36,000 beats per hour) movement made at scale. At its heart is the highly energy-efficient Dynapulse escapement, crafted entirely from silicon for magnetic immunity and 30 percent greater energy efficiency than a traditional Swiss lever. This allows the movement to beat faster without sacrificing power reserve (which stands at 66 hours).
(Related: Individuals who are engineering hope around the world)
Meanwhile, the balance wheel is made of an optimised brass alloy, and the balance staff is fashioned from ceramic for added strength and anti-magnetic properties. The patented silicon Syloxi hairspring returns, but now with reshaped, thicker coils to improve shock resistance and overall stiffness.
So, while the Land-Dweller may charm with its sleek design and integrated bracelet, it’s also a bold statement of Rolex’s future-facing ambition – one that has earned it 32 patent applications and patents, 16 of them for the movement alone. The watch may be grounded by name, but its sights are clearly set on the horizon.