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.

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. The 1908 is defined 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.

Inspired by one of the first Rolex watches with a Perpetual rotor, the 1908 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 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.
 

LEATHER STRAP OR SETTIMO BRACELET
The 1908 is fitted on a matt black alligator leather strap. This elegant strap, also available in matt brown on the 18 ct yellow gold version with intense white dial, features a green calfskin lining and tone-on-tone stitching. It is equipped with a Dualclasp. This double folding clasp, developed by Rolex, is made from the same precious metal as the middle case.

The 1908 in 18 ct yellow gold can also be paired with a Settimo bracelet. Created exclusively for the watch and unveiled in 2025, this metal bracelet comprises links made up of seven very small, slightly contoured link elements. It is furnished with a concealed Crownclasp, developed by Rolex, ensuring all-round, seamless visual harmony.

CALIBRE 7140
The 1908 is equipped with calibre 7140, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A distillation 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 also 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, 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. 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 on the oscillating weight and on the bridges, respectively.

THE 1908, SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFIED
Like all Rolex watches, the Perpetual 1908 is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. Symbolized by a green seal, this in-house certification is strictly controlled by internationally recognized, independent Swiss entities. It ensures the excellent on-the-wrist performance of each of the brand’s watches and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

In 2026, the Superlative Chronometer certification was expanded to seven testing criteria. Resistance to magnetism, reliability and sustainability were added to the criteria for precision, waterproofness, self-winding and autonomy, established when the certification was redefined in 2015.

The requirements in terms of precision are particularly stringent. Each Rolex movement is first officially certified as a chronometer. This means that, having passed a series of eliminating tests, it fulfils the criteria governing the ‘chronometer’ designation for wristwatches. For the category of calibres concerned, which includes all Rolex movements, the tolerated rate deviation is –4 and +6 seconds per day.

After casing the movement, the precision is then tested again, following a protocol developed by Rolex that simulates real-life wearing conditions, to meet even stricter criteria: the watch’s accuracy must be between –2 and +2 seconds per day. The rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is therefore significantly smaller than that accepted for official certification of the movement alone.