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Moving fast
Here, Rolex has gone all in — on regulation, frequency
and autonomy. Intellectual property filings point the way:
the Land-Dweller is protected by 32 new patent appli-
cations, including 18 only for this watch and 16 relating
solely to the movement. The new calibre 7135 features
a radical new escapement called the Dynapulse. Watch
experts were quickly to recognise it as an evolution of
the natural escapement invented in the 18th century by
Abraham-Louis Breguet, the genius who understood the
benefits of using two escape wheels. While some makers
have produced modern versions of the natural escape-
ment in recent years, it’s only Rolex that has the indus-
trial heft to deliver the idea at volume. The Dynapulse
is the first series-produced high-frequency movement
from any watchmaker that does not follow the tradi-
tional Swiss lever pattern. And Rolex has done it within
its famously strict performance requirements: every
Land-Dweller is a “Superlative Chronometer,” accurate
to –2/+2 seconds per day, a significantly higher level of
precision than required by the Swiss COSC standard.
In detail, the Dynapulse escapement relies on sequen-
tial distribution of energy through a transmission wheel
and two distribution wheels. Power from the mainspring
is no longer transmitted via sliding but rolling contact,
through wheels that have specially designed teeth and
blades. That precision of design requires components
fabricated from silicon, which is also almost totally fric-
tion-free. The result: a game-changing, 30% gain in effi-
ciency over standard escapements and a longer power
reserve that is now 66 hours. Innovations extend to the
balance assembly with its high-tech ceramic shaft, a
silicon hairspring with thicker coils for more stability
and upgraded Paraflex shock absorbers. These innova-
tions make possible, without loss of reliability, the 5Hz
operating frequency which measures time in tenths
that Rolex desired for this watch. “The foundations of
this high-performance escapement were laid around
ten years ago,” says Frank Vernay, the head of move-
ment design at Rolex. “It took that long for the concept
to mature and to arrive at today’s solution and gener-
ating seven patents in the process.”
Future perfect
Beyond its high-tech movement, the Land-Dweller
stands out for its elegance, with a case just 9.70 mm
thick, it’s noticeably slimmer than the Datejust. And
for those who see it as a future icon, Rolex is offering
two sizes, 36 mm and 40 mm, and three case materi-
als: white-metal Rolesor (steel with white gold bezel),
Everose gold and 950 platinum, with or without gem-set
bezels. “Whether in the city or somewhere far away, the
Land-Dweller is a symbol of harmony between its wearer
and the world,” says Rolex. “It expresses Rolex’s idea of
personal fulfilment — a journey filled with quiet victo-
ries and challenges overcome.” In other words, Rolex
has laid all the groundwork… ■
The all-new Land-Dweller stands out with a reworked Oyster case,
honeycomb-textured dial and a custom-designed Flat Jubilee
bracelet. Offered in two sizes – 36 mm and 40 mm – and in three
materials (white Rolesor, Everose gold and 950 platinum), with
fluted or diamond-set bezels, it comes in eight versions powered
by Rolex’s latest chronometer-certified automatic movement: the
Calibre 7135. This high-frequency calibre (5 Hz / 36,000 vph), vis-
ible through a sapphire caseback, is finished with Geneva stripes
and a yellow gold oscillating weight.
1. ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 40 in 950 platinum,
fluted bezel, glacier blue dial, white gold markers and hands.
2. ROLEX Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller 36 in Everose gold,
diamond-set bezel, intense white dial with 10 baguette-cut dia-
mond hour markers and Everose gold hands.