As the saying goes, “If you know, you know,” and with the Rolex Sky-Dweller White Rolesor — I knew. Here’s why.
Greetings from 36,000 thousand feet above sea level! That’s currently where I am while writing this review of my Rolex Sky-Dweller Rolesor watch reference 336934.
It’s not exactly the new kid on the block, but it comes from a relatively young collection. It’s also one of Rolex’s most complex wristwatches to date.
There are a few reasons why the Sky-Dweller is in my collection and why it won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. I’m going to share those reasons with you today. Rolex’s Grand Complication
Let me start by saying that the Sky-Dweller is Rolex’s version of a “grand complication”. When The watch was released back in 2012, many Rolex fans held their breath for a moment, myself included.
The thing is, the Sky-Dweller was quite an “outside of the box” design. It didn’t conform to the style of the iconic Submariner or the sporty Cosmograph Daytona.
It was something altogether new. The Rolex community is quite conservative, and it felt like the Sky-Dweller was a bit of a gamble.
If you’re a Rolex collector, you’ll understand what I mean when I say this. Buying a Rolex is as much about entering a tight-knit elite club of like-minded enthusiasts as it is anything else. When you buy a Datejust or a Submariner, you join the Rolex community.
You’re investing in a look that has been around for six decades. Quite simply, you know what you’re getting. With the Sky-Dweller, that wasn’t the case.
Table of Contents
A Rolex First in More Ways Than One
Firstly, it’s worth noting that the Sky-Dweller brought with it a brand-new movement — an annual calendar GMT. It was also the largest dressy timepiece that Rolex had ever designed, measuring a daring 42mm diameter. The Rolex Sky-Dweller, renowned for its innovative Rolex movement, combines elegance and functionality, featuring a unique annual calendar and dual-time zone display for travelers.
It used the familiar Oystersteel case but was first released in 18k yellow gold, white gold, and Everose variants.
If you know Rolex, you’ll already be aware it normally releases solid gold versions before an all-steel version. In this case, the steel version was not just steel. It came with a white gold bezel on a solid steel case and was released in 2017.
Secondly, the Sky-Dweller also provided the dual time zone reading in a completely new format. A little more on that later. The Rolesor version of the Sky-Dweller is also a pretty affordable option.
For a bit of perspective, the Everose version costs around $50k. A new steel and white gold version costs around $14k. It’s a no-brainer for businessmen and travelers alike. The Jet-Setters Companion
Many people consider Rolex watches a symbol of luxury and success, making them highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts alike. I refer to the Rolex Sky-Dweller as a jet-setter’s companion, as that is what its true purpose in life is. It is one of the reasons I invested in the watch.
It was never meant to be a pilot’s tool like the GMT-Master. It’s a luxurious instrument for travel-goers. Rolex fans had been longing for a less sporty travel watch for some time.
This larger GMT came with a twist. It offered a different time read-out compared to the brand’s other GMT watches. Also, its annual calendar function was an ideal balance of practicality and complexity.
The Evolution of the Rolex Sky-Dweller
The complexity, design, and price of the Sky-Dweller have all evolved since 2012. Two years after the first Sky-Dweller was released, Rolex added a leather band option.
As I mentioned, in 2017, Rolex released the White Rolesor version. The brand also swapped out the Arabic numeral hour markers for baton indexes. To enhance legibility, Rolex added luminous material to the markers and hands.
The Sky-Dweller also came fitted on a three-link bracelet, as well as a champagne-colored dial option.
Today, the watch resembles the likes of the Datejust 41 more than ever. Modern interpretations even come with the option of an Oysterflex rubber bracelet.
The White Rolesor version is also the rarest and most sought-after on the market. What makes the Rolesor variant of the Sky-Dweller watch stand out so much is its white gold-to-steel ratio.
Unlike other Rolesor models, where the crown and bracelet are executed in white gold, the Sky-Dweller is different. It features white gold only on the fluted bezel.
As the Sky-Dweller evolved, it was kitted out with a new movement — the Caliber 9002. This engine features the most updated components and marks the second generation of the original 9001 Caliber.
The 9002 Caliber features the Chronergy escapement for improved chronometry and efficiency. Other features like a pallet fork made from nickel-phosphorus and a Parachrom hairspring are also present.
Despite Rolex referring to the movement as having an “extended” 72-hour power reserve, it’s the same as the Caliber 9001. The engine is a Superlative Chronometer-certified movement to keep in line with Rolex’s movements.
Considering the current market trends, many watch enthusiasts are asking, “Is now the best time to buy a watch?” due to its growing popularity.
My Review of the Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934
The Rolex Sky-Dweller 336934 has an undeniable visual presence on the wrist. It’s not the brand’s most common model. It catches the eye of onlookers wherever I go.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller, a true masterpiece, features a unique dual-time zone function, making it perfect for travelers who appreciate the deuce of luxury. To me, the watch is a win-win situation, offering everything I need in a travel companion. It provides all the necessary indications I need for intuitively tracking another timezone while looking stylish at the same time.
How To Read the Sky-Dweller
For me, the watch strikes a key balance between complexity and simplicity. The annual calendar and GMT function, set across a white dial, are a match made in heaven. They add a subtle complexity to the design without an overbearing sense of clutter.
The user-friendly interface of the Sky-Dweller features a 24-hour ring in the middle of the dial. It indicates the hour thanks to a red arrow-shaped motif at the top of the ring.
Meanwhile, the central hour, minute, and second hands are used to display local time. It enables me to keep track of time back home via the 24-hour ring. The date, under a Cyclops window at 3 o’clock, correlates to the local time.
Then, we have the annual calendar feature, which differentiates between 30 and 31-day months. It requires only one single manual adjustment of the date at the end of February.
This clever interpretation of the days of the month comes in the form of a patented mechanism.
Based on the Saros annual calendar, a rectangular indicator accompanies each hour marker. When the relevant month of the year approaches, the indication turns red.
For example, during February, the marker at 2 o’clock around the hour track changes color. When the month comes to an end, it returns to white.
For me, the best feature of the Sky-Dweller by far is the ring command bezel. It does away with the need to adjust the crown in several positions.
The patented feature moves in a bidirectional rotation.
It can be moved left or right to adjust local time, date, and home time, depending on your requirements.
The Case
The meeting of two metals in the design of the Sky-Dweller White Rolesor is a very special thing.
It elevates the steel luxe tones and the sporty style of the watch further. The advantage here is that I can enjoy the watch for more formal occasions while it retains its sportiness.
The watch has a 100-meter water resistance and a sapphire glass front, as well as a Twinlock double waterproof crown. As mentioned, the width of the case is quite hefty for small wrists like mine.
Despite this, the fluted bezel shaves off some perception. It feels and looks a little smaller than a 42mm diameter.
With the addition of the solid gold bezel, the watch weighs more than an all-steel Rolex. One of the advantages of the steel and white gold design is that it pairs with pretty much anything.
Somehow, even the steel Rolex models with bold bezel colors appear more flashy than this version of the Sky-Dweller.
The Movement
The movement used in the Sky-Dweller watch is, without a doubt, a cool talking point. Rolex isn’t too shy to brag about the many components of the Caliber 9001. No less than seven patents come together to create a well-balanced yet complicated movement, working flawlessly inside a robust case.
In the past, some people believed that Rolex kept its movements simple to prolong their life and reduce maintenance. The Caliber 9001, however, is particularly robust. It shows how far the brand has come in terms of movement manufacture.
Despite its complexity, I love how simple the watch is to use. Admittedly, it took a few attempts to master how to handle the Sky-Dweller whilst on the go. That said, once I cracked it, the watch became the perfect tool to assist me with my travels.
The Caliber 9001 has a total of 389 components. The movement includes a perpetual rotor and operates at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour. It also comprises 49 jewels, a Parachrom hairspring, and provides a power reserve of 72 hours once fully wound.
The Bracelet
Thanks to the Easylink Comfort Extension Link, the Oystersteel three-link bracelet of the Sky-Dweller adapts to my environment.
If I’ve eaten a large meal or I’m in warmer climates, it can adjust within a 5mm bracket to accommodate my wrist expanding. It might seem like a small feature, but it is integral to the overall comfort of the watch. Especially if I’m wearing it all day.
The Takeaway
For me personally, I travel frequently and rotate my watch collection regularly. A perpetual calendar, as technically sophisticated as it is, wouldn’t be practical for me. By operation and concept, the movement of the Sky-Dweller is a very beautiful thing.
I like the advantage of an all-steel bracelet. It’s a more robust option for daily use. I also love the ease of the ring command bezel, enabling me to make adjustments without corrupting the watch’s water resistance.
The ease of tracking home time in the smaller central dial and local time on the main hands is great. Plus, the annual calendar feature is a bit of a novelty and a great talking point.
It’s now ten years since the Sky-Dweller first arrived. It’s nice to see the changes so far have been mostly cosmetic. In my opinion, nothing much needs to change about its design.
Despite advancements in the movement and bracelet options since the release of the White Rolesor 336934, it remains my favorite.
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