Rolex Sky-Dweller 18K Gold: High Flyer (VIDEO BLOG)

This is the modern marvel of the Rolex catalog, Geneva’s magnum opus. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller in 18-karat gold is the ultimate travel watch and the most technologically advanced Rolex watch ever made. And yes, it’s very exclusive.

The Rolex Sky-Dweller broke cover and blew minds when Rolex unveiled its ultimate complication at Baselworld 2012. Equipped with a 380-part movement, an annual calendar, and two independent time zones, the Sky-Dweller smashed 50 years of Rolex abstention from the high horology complication market.

The Sky-Dweller’s caliber 9001 is a masterpiece that’s as rugged as it is sophisticated. Despite its intricate construction, Rolex Paraflex shock protection, Parachrom Blue Breguet hairspring, full balance bridge, and free-sprung escapement ensure that this compound complication can go anywhere an Explorer II or GMT-Master II would dare to venture. A 100m water resistance rating backs the claim, so this “Sky” dweller is equally at home on surf and turf.

Rolex’s ultimate machine packs a stout 72-hour power reserve and Teflon-lubricated automatic winding system to avoid unnecessary resetting of the twin time zones and annual calendar. Equally elegant on the outside, Rolex’s Sky-Dweller expresses this mass of useful information with a simple aperture display that tracks months through windows outboard of the numerals; a date window at three o’clock features the traditional “Cyclops Eye” magnifier.

Both time zones are expressed at the center of the dial; local time is displayed on the center hands, and the 24-hour reference ring keeps track of the AM/PM status and hour in a remote region. As the ultimate travel companion, Rolex’s caliber 9001 permits backward and forward setting of the date with both quick-set and manual adjustment of the local hour hand; neither will imperil the movement. The Rolex Sky-Dweller does more than simply ease the process of travel; it acknowledges and overcomes the mechanical obstacles associated with resetting local time.

Rolex completes its masterpiece by endowing the 42mm Rolex Sky-Dweller with a glorious 18-karat gold Rolex Oyster case and matching Rolex Oyster bracelet. As with all modern Rolex Oyster watches, the bracelet is complemented by a vault-like Oysterclasp milled from a solid billet of metal – gold, in this instance. The Easylink 5mm quick extension permits tool-free sizing when a wrist expands for contracts in warm or cold weather.

See this modern marvel in high-resolution images with all Rolex factory boxes, manuals, papers, and accessories at The 1916 Company.