Cover The Perpetual 1908 is Rolex’s latest dress watch offering that was launched at Watches and Wonders in Geneva this year (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
The Perpetual 1908 is Rolex’s latest dress watch offering that was launched at Watches and Wonders in Geneva this year (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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In an era dominated by sporty chronographs, Rolex introduces the Perpetual 1908—a dress watch that exudes elegance. We take a closer look at this remarkable timepiece, which shines a light on Rolex’s sophisticated craftsmanship
The year was 1908; Hans Wilsdorf had founded his watch company three years earlier and, that year, he finally filed its name in London: Rolex. Though the early years brought struggles, Wilsdorf ’s innovative designs were gaining attention.
This year, more than a century since Wilsdorf cemented his company as a brand to watch, Rolex is revisiting its origins with an all-new Perpetual 1908, the first member of its soon-to-be unveiled collection of watches with perpetual rotors.
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While the house has luxury watches, like the sporty Daytonas and Submariners, that are widely coveted today, it has also a rich history in the dress watch category. It was in the roaring 1920s that the Rolex Cellini made its debut, a dress watch guarded by the patented, waterproof and dust-tight Oyster case.
In the 1940s, a svelte leading lady walked into the spotlight—the 36mm Datejust with a jubilee bracelet and a fluted bezel, most famously sported by the Second World War British prime minister Winston Churchill. The piece was presented to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary—and what a scene stealer she was.
Meanwhile, icons like the Cellini and sporty Datejust also flourished through the decades, weathering trends in their precious gold, waterproof shells. Lessons from the Datejust were then used to develop the iconic Day-Date; it became known as the president’s watch, as it enjoyed popularity among various US presidents, from Dwight D Eisenhower to Lyndon B Johnston.
Above Rolex Perpetual 1908 (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
Rolex Perpetual 1908 (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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With the launch of the Perpetual 1908 this year, Rolex continues to evolve its dress watch lineage. The timepiece draws inspiration from one of the brand’s earliest models, with features like the self-winding Perpetual rotor mechanism. Notably, the new 39mm Perpetual 1908 shares a striking resemblance to the Cellini in terms of aesthetics, including the case design, faceted hour markers and minimalistic look. Encased in 18-karat yellow or white gold, the watch features a crystal and transparent caseback, showcasing Rolex’s in-house calibre 7140 movement.
With its black or white dial options, Arabic numeral markers at three, nine and 12 stand out on a clean canvas. A crocodile strap secured by the 18-karat gold dual clasp, in brown or black, wraps it around the wrist. The sleek design tucks itself seamlessly under a tailored cuff, making it an understated piece, yet a perennial classic: a watch to bookmark for formal occasions.
With its rich legacy, the watch has all the ingredients of becoming tomorrow’s heirloom. Only time will tell if the 1908 earns the same admiration as its legendary predecessors.
As the Regional Editor for Watches and Jewellery and Editorial Content Lead for Tatler GMT, Amrita Katara specialises in luxury watch and jewellery coverage across Asia, with expertise in editorial strategy, feature writing and interviews with industry leaders. Her past roles span luxury lifestyle media and client partnerships. Based in Mumbai, Amrita’s work bridges global trends and Asian market insights.
