Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller: Making Its Mark

With its refined case, distinctive dial and revolutionary movement, the Oyster Peretual Land-Dweller extends Rolex’s Pursuit of precicion into stylish new territory

When a watch company launches an entirely new collection, it is a significant event. These are not off-the-cuff decisions, but rather the result of years of research, development, and careful adherence to the brand’s heritage to create something both technically relevant and aesthetically distinct. That has been true across Rolex’s 120-year history.

In 1967, the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller introduced the helium escape valve, setting a new benchmark for saturation diving. In 2012, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller won over frequent flyers with its user-friendly annual calendar and dual-time display. And now, in 2025, Rolex has unveiled the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller – a model that brings the brand’s dedication to precision into a new chapter via a strikingly modern design and a high-frequency movement.

The eye is drawn first to the dial. The defining motif is a stylised honeycomb, brought to life through the use of a femtosecond laser. This allows Rolex to sculpt each cell in subtle relief and etch the delicate lines in the grooves between them with incredible precision, producing a surface that catches light with a gentle, almost organic shimmer.

The numerals are also unique to the Land-Dweller. While they take cues from the Explorer and Air-King, they are partially open-worked – a design choice that positions them firmly in the contemporary realm. Some versions feature a Chromalight display ensuring excellent legibility in the dark, while the rectilinear hands (also exclusive to this model) include a honeycomb-shaped counterweight.

Long-time Rolex fans will likely feel a flicker of familiarity when they spot the bracelet. Called the Flat Jubilee, it is a flattened reinterpretation of the iconic five-link bracelet that first appeared on the Datejust in 1945. In this iteration, the centre links are slightly raised and polished for a touch of gleam, while the outer links receive a satin-brushed finish. Further contrast can be admired on the polished edges, which give the impression of a ribbon of light running along the length of the bracelet.

Comfort remains an important priority, which is why Rolex developed and patented a new attachment system specifically for this bracelet, designed to improve durability and reduce long-term wear. Ceramic inserts have been added around the spring bar for extra protection, and in the precious metal versions, the ceramic inserts can be found inside the bracelet links as well. The bracelet is secured by a concealed folding Crownclasp.

The Land-Dweller is offered in two sizes — 36 mm and 40 mm — and three metals: White Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18 ct white gold) and 950 platinum and 18 ct Everose gold. True to Rolex tradition, the platinum model is paired with an ice-blue dial — a signature combination reserved only for watches made of this most precious material. On the gold and platinum versions, it may also have a bezel set with trapeze-cut diamonds and baguette-cut diamond hour markers.

The case is novel as well, both in how it appeals to the modern inclination toward integrated bracelets, but also in performance. It has been subtly reworked to incorporate a modified waterproofing system around the sapphire crystal, as well as a slightly wider fluted bezel than on other Classic models. Waterproofness is rated to 100m, and the case’s overall thickness of just 9.7 mm proves that robustness doesn’t need to come with bulk.

Look a little closer and you will notice a new “technical satin finish” at play for the first time on Oystersteel — characterised by a finely striated linear grain with a matte sheen. It is applied to the flat surfaces of the case and the outer bracelet links, a detail that rewards scrutiny and speaks volumes about Rolex’s attention to detail.

The Land-Dweller’s refreshing design is reason enough for keen interest, but what beats under it is game-changing. The self-winding calibre 7135 may be an evolution of the calibre 7140 but a minor upgrade this is not. Ten years in the making, the 7135 features a revolutionary regulating mechanism escapement and oscillator, which enables it to beat at a frequency of 5Hz to allow the watch to measure time to the tenth of a second.

The regulating system comprises two core innovations. First, the new Dynapulse escapement — with seven patent applications — reimagines the traditional Swiss lever setup. It is composed of a transmission wheel that engages with two distribution wheels; these, in turn, activate the impulse rocker, which then connects with the oscillator. The result is a system that is about 30 per cent more energy efficient than the standard Swiss lever escapement, with significantly reduced friction and wear thanks to its silicon architecture. Even the lubrication is different — nanolitres of oil (not grease) are dispensed with a curved precision needle.

Secondly, there is the oscillator, engineered for both accuracy and resistance to strong magnetic fields. The balance staff is made of high-tech ceramic, and its production procedure is also patent-pending. The balance wheel is crafted from anti-magnetic “optimised brass”, while the Syloxi silicon hairspring — a Rolex invention — has been reworked with thicker coils to withstand the increased demands of a 5Hz frequency. Rounding off the system are Paraflex shock absorbers with an improved “double cone geometry and an enhanced leaf spring, designed to protect the staff from impact.

The movement is driven by a self-winding system via a Perpetual Rotor and the power reserve extends to approximately 66 hours. Decorative touches include Rolex Côtes de Genève across the movement bridges, all visible through the sapphire crystal case back.

Like all current Rolex watches, the Land-Dweller is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, and goes well beyond those of the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), guaranteeing a deviation of no more than -2/+2 seconds per day.

With an impressive new movement and quietly bold design, the Land-Dweller does not just mark a new chapter; it hints at an entirely new era that beats to a faster rhythm as Rolex continues to make giant strides toward the betterment of precision timekeeping.

This story was first seen as part of the WOW #79 Summer 2025 Issue