Rolex 1908

The Rolex Perpetual 1908 is a line of formal classic watches from Rolex that succeeded the Cellini series. The name refers to the year Hans Wilsdorf registered the brand. These are watches for a suit and shirt cuff: a slim case, a pared-back dial, an alligator leather strap and a transparent caseback.

The case measures 39 mm. The bezel is two-level, combining a smooth domed ring with fine fluting, so the case catches the light while remaining understated. The crystal and caseback are sapphire, and through the caseback the automatic calibre 7140 is visible. Rolex developed it specifically for the 1908 line and fitted it with a Syloxi silicon hairspring, the Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers. The bridges are decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève, the oscillating weight is in yellow gold, and the power reserve is 66 hours.

The main choices are case material and dial colour. Versions include 18 ct yellow gold with a black or white dial, 18 ct white gold with a black dial, and 950 platinum with an ice-blue dial. The Dualclasp is made of the same metal as the case. Examples include the 1908 Yellow Gold Black Dial and the 1908 Yellow Gold White Dial.