Credits: Article and images by Chris Malburg @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/08/17/why-i-bought-it-rolex-sky-dweller-in-stainless-steel-rolesor-2/
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The Sky-Dweller’s fit and finish continue to make it a joy to wear; there are no sharp edges anywhere. The lugs curve nicely downward to better fit the wrist. All surfaces of the case are mirror polished. The only satin finish is on the bracelet and the steel case back covering what I can only imagine is a beautifully engineered 9001 movement.
As always, Rolex leaves it all on the front and nothing on the back.
Rolex has utilized its two-metal Rolesor case metal since the early 1930s, trademarking the name in 1933. I haven’t read anything about it being particularly scratch resistant.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller is also available in stainless steel and yellow gold Rolesor
By now you probably can tell that my watches are meant to be used and that I don’t baby them. And let me say that after a few months of wear I can find no scratches on this piece. None. While this may not be a true workingman’s watch, it’s certainly meant to be used for every aspect of life.
Everyone has their preference as to the fit of a watch bracelet. The standard rule is it should be just tight enough to insert the little finger under the bracelet. That’s how I fit my other bracelets.
But not the Sky-Dweller: this watch is a top-heavy beast. Any play in the bracelet has it sliding around. Rolex’s Easylink rapid extension system takes care of that problem. I had the Sky-Dweller adjusted to meet the little finger test with the 5 mm extension deployed. Then I snapped it closed. Now the watch sits snugly on the wrist, doesn’t slide around, yet can be easily loosened should I need just a scotch more room.
The bracelet is proportionally wide. It takes some getting used to seeing it cover such a large part of wrist real estate. It has a polished center with a satin finish on both sides. I wondered if the mirror center would become a sea of scratches. So far the answer is no.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Functionality
Rolex did not just toss the Sky-Dweller’s unique set of requirements on the engineers’ desks and say, “make this.” The brand took years to figure out exactly what the frequent traveler between various time zones would need and how best to serve the task.
Rolex equipped it with its in-house developed and manufactured Caliber 9001. This is without a doubt the most complex movement Rolex has ever developed on its own. No wonder: between seven and twelve patents (the exact number seems up for debate) protect it.
All functions are controlled using a combination of inputs from the screw-down crown and what’s known as the command bezel. The instructions are logical and easily remembered.
Rolex Sky-Dweller Command Bezel
However, I found there’s a particular order of procedures for setting the watch. Disregard the ordained order and things you thought were unaffected suddenly turn out wrong. The good news is that the order is logical and follows the way most of us set a watch.
First, set the exact seconds, then the minute, then the reference time on the off-center disk. Next, set the local time with the central hour hand. This moves in one-hour increments forward and backward, making it quick and easy. It also moves the date back and forth – a nice touch of user friendliness.
Lastly, set the month and the date. That’s it. Easy.
For my purposes, I use the reference time for client location of whichever project I’m working on at the time. This I do frequently.
When traveling, I set the reference time to my home time, then use the hour and minute hands for local time. This I change as I move between time zones.
I very seldom change the month and date since this is an annual calendar watch.
Rolex advises that the watch is accurate to +/-2 seconds daily. I’ve found that to be true when it’s in the winder. Accuracy improves to +1 second daily (or less) when on the wrist.
Comparing the Sky-Dweller with other Rolex timepieces
This is among the biggest watches Rolex produces at 42mm. Only certain diver’s watches like the Deepsea are bigger (see 5 Professional Diver’s Watches Surfacing At Baselworld 2018). Most of Rolex’s collection is smaller, 40 mm or less in diameter. Being bright, shiny steel the watch and bracelet present a wide swath clamped around your wrist. It’s a striking size difference that takes some getting used to.
It’s also a thick watch at 14.1 mm. Though that thickness doesn’t stop it from easily sliding under a shirt cuff since the command bezel slopes smoothly downward, making a nice ramp for the shirt cuff to slide up and over neatly.
I’ve always liked the design of the Datejust and Day-Date: that fluted bezel easily identifies the piece. The Sky-Dweller bears the same case design and fluted bezel.
The solid-link Oyster bracelet is also the same used throughout the collection. The crystal bears the expected Cyclops 2.5 x magnifying window over the date. The dial appears the same until you get to the off-center reference time disk.
In creating the Sky-Dweller collection, Rolex kept the “DNA” of its brand totally intact, while still developing an entirely new addition to the Oyster collection. There are many similarities that make the Sky-Dweller immediately familiar. But there are also new innovations to appreciate.
Rolex Sky-Dweller in stainless steel and white gold Rolesor
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Credits: Article and images by Chris Malburg @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/08/17/why-i-bought-it-rolex-sky-dweller-in-stainless-steel-rolesor-2/
