Check out the updated Rolex Sky-Dweller in a handsome steel/mint green model Subtle visual and mechanical updates to the ultimate Rolex travel watch.
If we take the automotive industry analogy, we call it LCI (Life Cycle Impulse), facelift or mid-life renewal. Realizing that it hasn't revolutionized its watches, Rolex claims it has "redesigned" its Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller. One of the brand's most complicated watches and movements does have a new, or at least updated, version. A Rolex is a Rolex, and we're clearly not talking about major changes, not even Daytona-level updates. But, nonetheless, the 2023 Rolex Sky-Dweller has some very interesting things to look at, including a revised movement and a new color scheme. That includes the awesome white gold-steel version here, with a handsome mint green dial.
Before we can look at what has changed with the Sky-Dweller, we need to understand how it all started. By definition, the Sky-Dweller is the brand's ultimate travel watch, a watch that isn't a pilot's tool like the GMT-Master was originally, but a frequent flyer's companion, a luxury tool that makes them all a must instructions, in the most practical and intuitive way possible. Released in 2012, the Sky-Dweller, despite being fairly simple at first glance, with its classic time and date display broken only by the presence of a 24-hour ring, is one of the most if not the most complicated Rolex has ever made. How…? Because it combines annual calendar, GMT function and user machine interface relying on bezel selection and setting functions.
The Sky-Dweller was a large and bold model with a 42mm case, originally only in precious metals, powered by a new in-house caliber 9001, capable of displaying the correct date and month according to the timepiece. Saros annual calendar - in a very clever and discreet way to indicate the current month - and a set of two different time zones, local time and reference time, in traditional flyer/traveler fashion. A complication, high in the Rolex collection, originally released with a rather baroque dial that looked like this, with applied Roman or Arabic numerals. This, combined with the classic fluted bezel, gives this model an undeniable visual presence.
In 2017, Rolex made its first facelift to the Sky-Dweller, redesigning the dial with luminescent stick markers, not only giving the watch a sportier, more casual look, but also better integrating the 12 apertures of the month. Undoubtedly more coherent, modern and attractive. Importantly, the brand launched a white Rolesor version, with most of the case made of steel and only the bezel in gold. Lighter, more accessible, more discreet and suitable for everyday use. Beginning in 2020, with a confirmed update for 2023, the Oysterflex rubber bracelet option is available in three gold versions – white, yellow and Everose gold.
So, what will change in 2023? Visually, not much. Only a trained eye will spot the new version of the Sly-Dweller. In addition to the new colors, the dial retains the updated design of 2017, with rectangular markers and a sunray-brushed pattern. Look closely at the 6 o'clock position and you'll notice two small crowns surrounding the month indicator, a new element for this year's collection, which also indicates a change to the movement. Other than that, the case is identical, which means it measures 42mm in diameter and 13.8mm in height, no need to hide the fact that even a steel watch is a rather large and heavy watch on the wrist. This is a watch that needs a larger wrist to fit comfortably, but anyone over 17cm will get a watch of impeccable quality and, thanks to the fine-tuning of the clasp, is very comfortable to wear. But yes, I definitely encourage you to try it before pulling the trigger.
For this hands-on session, we have chosen the most talked about model of this new collection, the White Rolesor watch. Contrary to most Rolesor-branded models, there is no two-tone effect on the crown and bracelet. Instead, it just means that the bezel has white gold (Rolex's fluted bezels have long been made exclusively in gold - or have recently started to be made in platinum), and the rest, know the case middle, crown, case back and bracelet, are all is all done in Oystersteel. Although the Sky-Dweller has a higher-end career and a place in the classic collection, it is a Rolex first and foremost. As such, it has AR-coated sapphires, Cyclops on the date, a double-locking crown, a screw-down case back, and is water-resistant to 100 meters.
The second thing that caught us when choosing the current version was the green dial... mint green to be exact, those familiar will realize that this stunning, understated and refreshing color has been exclusive to Datejust until now (with There’s also a new teal dial on the Everose gold version, which is also lovely). This lighter, softer shade of green is perfect for watches as well as the neutral tones of the case and bezel. Young, casual and sophisticated. What hasn't changed is the display, which remains deceptively simple. One, the traveler's part; plain and simple, read by the off-centre rotating 24-hour disc thanks to the red framed hands at 12 o'clock. It works exactly like the 24-hour central hand of the GMT-Master II and acts as a reference/home time when traveling. The rest is typical Rolex, working according to the Flyer GMT concept, with the crown allowing independent setting of the main or local hour in one-hour increments. Date at 3 o'clock under a magnifying glass showing local time.
What about the calendar...well, first off, it's an annual calendar, which means it automatically distinguishes between months with 30 and 31 days, and only needs one adjustment at the end of February. Second, it comes with one of the most ingeniously integrated month displays (Moser can also be applauded for this), a patented mechanism that displays the month of the year in 12 holes around the dial, beyond the index hours mark, the current month is highlighted in red. It's so simple and easy that I wonder why no one thought of it before...
Last but not least, the modality for all indications. No shameful inset correctors that ruin water resistance (and are a pain to use) or crowns with dozens of positions. For me, the best part of the Sky-Dweller is the Ring Command Bezel. Comprising no fewer than 60 components, this patented innovation includes a bidirectional bezel that can be turned partially left or right to select the desired position – date, local time or reference time – and is integrated with the crown and The movement is connected to adjust the indication of the crown in both directions. And it's as understated as possible, as nothing has been added to the fluted bezel.
There’s actually no major update to the Rolex Sky-Dweller collection seen in 2023, save for two small crowns at 6 o’clock. The movement, now known as Caliber 9002, is part of the latest generation of engines, now equipped with a Chronergy escapement whose internal optimized geometry enhances timekeeping performance and increases efficiency. It combines a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet and escape wheel with a blue Parachrom hairspring. Although the caseback is closed, the decoration of the movement, the shape of the bridges and the rotor have also been slightly modified. The power reserve is still rated at 72 hours (although Rolex mentions "extended to 72 hours") and the movement is Superlative Chronometer certified.
Finally, at least for this white Rolesor version, which is also available in blue, white and black, Rolex has a choice between the existing Oyster bracelet or the Jubilee bracelet, both of which are composed of a folding bracelet with an Easylink comfort extender. Oyster buckle closure.
This new Rolex Sky-Dweller, with its updated movement and beautiful mint green dial (Ref. 336934), may be the most desirable version yet.
Technical Specifications – Rolex SKY-DWELLER 2023 Edition Caliber 9002
Case: Diameter 42mm x H 13.80mm - Oyster (904L) Stainless Steel Oyster Middle Case, Polished - 18k White Gold, Fluted and Polished Bidirectional Bezel with Ring Command System for Function Settings - Solid Steel Screw-in Case Back - Twinlock Screw Down Crown - Sapphire Crystal with Anti-Reflective Coating, Cyclops Lenses with Dual Anti-Reflective Coating - 100m Water Resistance
Dial: Sunburst brushed mint green dial (also available in white, brushed blue and brushed black) - 18k white gold markers and hands, all filled with Chromalight - 24-hour ring for GMT indication - month indication through 12 side windows mark
Movement: Caliber 9002 (an update of 9001, launched in 2012) - In-house - Superlative Chronograph (-2/+2 sec/day behind case) - Automatic winding via central bidirectional perpetual rotor - 40 jewels - 28,800 vibrations/hour - Chronergy escapement, paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus pallet and escape wheel, blue Parachrom hairspring with Rolex winding,
Balance with variable inertia and adjustment via four gold Microstella nuts - Paraflex shock absorbers and transverse balance bridge - 72-hour power reserve
Displays: Hours, minutes and seconds (automatic adjustment) - Local time independently adjusted in one-hour increments by traditional hands, home/reference time displayed by 24-hour disc - Saros instantaneous annual calendar with quick, bi-directional and Securely set the date at 3 o'clock and the month through 12 apertures around the dial
Bracelet: Oystersteel 3-link brushed and polished Oyster bracelet with ceramic inlaid links - folding Oysterclasp with Easylink comfort extension
(5-link Jubilee bracelet also available)
Ref: 336934
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