The 1908 belongs to the Perpetual collection, launched in 2023, which unites the time-honoured principles of traditional watchmaking style with the essence of Rolex’s know-how and aesthetic heritage. The elegance and refinement of the lines, volumes and colours are complemented by the noble materials used. Similarly, the simplicity and purity of the display highlight the technical sophistication and beauty of the movement – visible through the transparent case back.

The 1908 is defined by its design, which conveys the full strength of the watch’s character in the simplicity of the display, and by details that confer its unique identity. It perfectly embodies the spirit of the Perpetual collection, at whose core lies the celebration of the art of watchmaking in its noblest form.

This elegant and understated watch was named ‘1908’ in homage to the year Hans Wilsdorf devised the name ‘Rolex’ to sign his creations and registered the brand in Switzerland.

Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches with a Perpetual rotor, it features a sleek dial graced with Arabic numerals 3, 9 and 12 and faceted index hour markers. The hour hand is Breguet-style, while the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword. Above the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, the inscription ‘Superlative Chronometer’ attests to the watch’s performance.

Intense white or intense black with a fine satin finish on the versions in 18 ct gold, the dial is ice blue on the watch in 950 platinum, revealing a rice-grain motif, created via guillochage, and a minute track bordered on either side by a filet sauté with a crimped pattern, which is also guilloché.

REFINED ELEGANCE OF THE CASE
The 1908 features a slim 39 mm case crafted in 18 ct yellow or white gold or 950 platinum, with gracious lines and a transparent back that allows the refined aesthetics of the movement to be admired as well as the pivoting of the oscillating weight. The curve of the lugs is highlighted thanks to a gentle chamfering on their top edges. The bezel is divided – the lower part embellished with elegant fluting and the upper part domed. Made of virtually scratchproof sapphire, the domed crystal and the transparent case back benefit from an anti-reflective coating. Guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 50 metres (165 feet), the case provides optimal protection for the movement nestled inside.
 
THE 1908, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This exclusive designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories and according to its own criteria. These certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The precision of every movement – officially certified as a chronometer by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) – is tested a second time by Rolex after being cased, to ensure that it meets criteria that are far stricter than those of the official certification. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2/+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.

The Superlative Chronometer certification testing is carried out after casing using state-of-the-art equipment specially developed by Rolex and according to an exclusive protocol that simulates the conditions in which a watch is actually worn and more closely represents real-life experience. The entirely automated series of tests also checks the waterproofness, the self-winding capacity and the power reserve of 100 per cent of Rolex watches. These tests systematically complement the qualification testing during development and production, in order to ensure the watches’ reliability, robustness, and resistance to strong magnetic fields and to shocks.

CALIBRE 7140
The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A consummate demonstration of technology, this movement carries a number of patents. It offers outstanding performance, particularly in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. 

Calibre 7140 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, made of nickel-phosphorus, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability and is also resistant to strong magnetic fields.

The movement is fitted with the patented Syloxi hairspring in silicon, produced by the brand. In addition to resisting strong magnetic fields, this hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. Its geometry, which is also patented, ensures the calibre’s regularity in any position.

The oscillator of calibre 7140 has a balance wheel with variable inertia regulated extremely precisely via gold Microstella nuts. It is held firmly in place by a height-adjustable traversing bridge enabling very stable positioning to increase shock resistance. The oscillator is also mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, further enhancing the movement’s shock resistance.

Calibre 7140 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring by harnessing the movements of the wrist to provide a constant source of energy. Its oscillating weight is fashioned in yellow gold and cut out. It is, furthermore, fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of this movement extends to approximately 66 hours.

Visible through the transparent case back, the 1908’s movement is beautifully finished and decorated. In particular, its bridges are embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, an exclusive decoration that differs from traditional Côtes de Genève by the addition of a slight polished groove between each band. Calibre 7140 is also marked with the words ‘Chronometer Perpetual’ and ‘Superlative Adjusted’ engraved respectively on the oscillating weight and on the bridges.

LEATHER STRAP
The 1908 is fitted on an alligator leather strap. Matt brown or matt black, this elegant strap is individually tailored for the new watch, with a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with a Dualclasp. This double folding clasp, developed by Rolex and patented, is made from the same precious metal as the case. Thanks to its carefully designed shape, it always sits centred on the wrist.