Following a bold debut, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land‑Dweller makes a strong case as your next grail-worthy timepiece
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land‑Dweller has drawn effusive accolades, ranging from “most meaningful yet” to “game-changing,” even from the most hard-nosed watch journalists. Granted, Rolex reliably commands column inches at every annual watch showcase, but the Land-Dweller is the debut collectors have long pined for.
Notwithstanding the 1908 dress watch collection from 2023, which was an evolution of the Cellini line, it is the brand’s first new collection since the Sky-Dweller in 2012. Accidentally leaked in an Instagram post before its official release at Watches & Wonders 2025 by Rolex ambassador and tennis legend, Roger Federer, the then-furtive Land-Dweller was a picture of sportive, weekend chic. Gleaming in the afternoon sun, high up in the Alps (Swiss, presumably), the watch looked right at home on Federer’s wrist—casually paired with a grey cashmere sweater and sunglasses, while his other arm worked a hearty pot of cheese fondue.
A perfect blend of regal sophistication and athleticism? Absolutely. Its official unveiling later in Geneva confirmed its swagger and disposition. Sharp and angular with curves in all the right places, the Land-Dweller—with its round bezel perched atop a tonneau-shaped monobloc middle case and integrated bracelet—is aesthetically a close cousin of the Ref. 17013 Oysterquartz design from the 1970s.
But make no mistake, this is no throwback tribute. Whether the 40mm platinum, 40mm white Rolesor (Oystersteel and white gold), or 39mm Everose gold models, all three debut Land- Dweller variants are unique expressions of sporty stateliness that Rolex has all but trademarked.
Slim and supple, the watches offer a snug fit. The new flat Jubilee-style five-link bracelet drapes over the wrist with comfort and a touch of flamboyance, featuring a combination of polished and satin-finished inner and outer links. The dial, framed by an angled minutes flange, sports a honeycomb motif rendered in relief, paired with luminescent hour markers and Explorer- and Air-King-style numerals at ‘6’ and ‘9’. The result is a look that is distinctive yet familiar—and now unmistakably Land-Dweller.
Inner Poise
But it is what lies within the Land-Dweller that has thrilled serious watch buffs. In a marked departure from other collections, Rolex has fitted the watch with a transparent caseback to showcase its engine. The new Calibre 7135, like all Rolex movements, is developed and manufactured entirely in-house. Yet the decision to display it likely stems not from pride alone, but from a desire to highlight the movement’s unprecedented innovations—a testament to Rolex’s relentless pursuit of precision and reliability.
For centuries, the edict for best-in-class mechanical movements has called for optimum timekeeping accuracy, efficiency, energy distribution, and robustness—criteria largely met by mechanisms that have remained unchanged for decades. With the Calibre 7135, however, Rolex offers its own solution through several novel innovations.
First, the Dynapulse escapement—boasting seven pending patents—features a unique energy distribution system that reduces friction between moving parts and is 30 per cent more efficient than the traditional Swiss lever escapement developed over 200 years ago. Next is the new oscillator. The wristwatch equivalent of a pendulum, it includes a patented ceramic balance staff and a balance wheel crafted from a proprietary brass alloy—both designed to minimise friction, improve energy efficiency, and enhance shock and magnetic resistance.
The result? A high-frequency movement that ticks at 5Hz (compared to the standard 4Hz) and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, with a guaranteed precision of +/-2 seconds per day. So, if you are in the market for a fail-safe, headlining acquisition this year, look no further than the world’s most recognisable—and many would argue, most desirable—watch brand. More specifically, to the new Land-Dweller collection, which has critics singing its praises like a Swiss cathedral choir on a Sunday morning.
This story first appeared in the August 2025 issue. Purchase it as a print or digital copy, or consider subscribing to us here
