If there’s one thing Rolex is good at, it’s making incremental improvements to its existing collections. Watches that have been in the catalog for decades – you know them all. And it is this strategy that has sometimes earned Rolex negative feedback from the watchmaking world. With the new Rolex Constant 1908, the brand shows that it can do something new.
This new Rolex model pays homage to the year founder Hans Wilsdorf began using “Rolex” as the brand name on his watches. The 39mm Perpetual 1908 is a more formal watch that resembles the famous replica Rolex Cellini collection. It has an elegant look, is only 9.5 mm in height, and is only available in precious metal.
The Perpetual 1908 has a bezel that is partly domed and partly fluted. And do you see the hour hand on these watches? It is no longer the “Mercedes” logo, but a plain circle, giving it a distinctive look.
Rolex has made a big deal out of see-through case backs. Not only the Daytona, but also the Perpetual 1908 has one, which allows its owner to admire its caliber 7140, a new Rolex movement with all the brand’s watchmaking expertise. Chronergy escapement, Syloxi hairspring and Paraflex shock absorber? Check, check, and check again. Unlike the concealed 3xxx series movements used by Rolex, this new 7140 movement has a wonderful decoration. This includes beautiful Côtes de Genève decorations on the bridges and a skeletonized 18-carat gold rotor that makes for an unforgettable watch.
The Syloxi hairspring has a patented geometry, ensuring it performs equally well in any position. It is, of course, made of silicon and developed and produced entirely in-house. Rolex has not been disappointed in the development of its movements in recent times. Last but not least, the Rolex caliber 7140 has a power reserve of 66 hours.
There are two versions of the Rolex Constant 1908 in 18-carat yellow gold and two in 18-carat white gold. Each version has a watch with a black or white dial. All four models come with a matte-finished alligator strap and a double folding clasp in corresponding yellow gold.
The model with a white dial comes with a brown alligator strap and the model with a black dial comes with a black alligator strap. Although water ingress should be avoided with the alligator strap, the watch does have a water resistance rating of 50 meters.
Despite the variations in the dial, the reference number for the yellow gold model is 52508. the white gold model is numbered 52509. all dials have beautiful gold numerals and hour markers. At 6 o’clock, there is a subdial for small seconds with the inscription “Superlative Chronometer.” The minute and second tracks give the watch a vintage look.
