Sameera Gamage 
The Rolex Sky-Dweller returns in a mesmerizing yellow gold and green combination, paying homage to the brand’s signature hues. Its advanced movement, dual time zone display, and intuitive bezel set it apart as a true traveler’s companion. Combining heritage and modern craftsmanship, this timepiece is Rolex at its finest.
The Rolex Sky-Dweller is a technological masterpiece designed specifically for frequent travellers who change time zones often. Introduced in 2012, the Sky-Dweller came with multiple patent applications for the movement and also how the timezones can be adjusted on the dial.
Since it’s releases, Rolex has throughout the year’s presented the Sky-Dweller in a range of dial colours and case materials. In fact, the Sky-Dweller has been presented in pretty much every Rolex material, from White Rolesor (Oystersteel and white gold combination), Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and yellow gold combination), 18ct yellow gold, Everose gold and white gold. The dial colours all varied as well, from white, gold, black, grey, and teal to forest green; each different colour presented a unique, beautiful aesthetic that complemented the case and bracelet material it was paired with.
For Watches & Wonders 2025, Rolex is giving the Sky-Dweller a fresh new look, with a yellow gold case and bracelet paired with a stunning new green dial that is reminiscent of the colour that’s tied to the brand’s identity and heritage. The colour green has been closely associated with Rolex for decades, appearing in their branding, packaging and even on select watch dials throughout the brand’s history. But this is not a colour that the brand uses frequently, keeping it for timepieces for specific models like the Hulk (Submariner 116610LV) or even the John Mayer Daytona. In fact, you could say that this new Sky-Dweller is identical in colour scheme to the John Mayer Daytona, with a full yellow gold case and bracelet paired with a beautiful light green dial with a sunburst effect.
Case Design
This latest iteration of the Sky-Dweller retains the signature 42mm Oyster case of the model, which is waterproof to 100m. The monobloc case construction means that the case back, with its edge with fine fluting is as Rolex put’s it “hermetically screwed down with a special tool that grants only certified Rolex watchmakers access to the movement.” The winding crown features Rolex’s Twinlock system, which uses two sets of gasket sone inside the tube and another inside the crown itself—to create a secure seal when the crown is screwed down.
One of the standout elements of the case design is the fluted bezel, which looks incredibly beautiful in yellow gold. This isn’t the first time that yellow gold has been used for the fluted bezel on the Sky-Dweller, with previous iterations like the Yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel / yellow gold) also featuring the design. One of the key features of the fluted bezel is that it plays with light beautifully, catching the attention of almost anyone nearby effortlessly.
This is complemented by the Jubilee bracelet, which is also made of yellow gold. As we know, Rolex’s Jubilee bracelet has been finished with special attention to detail, allowing it to reflect light attractively. The middle three links of the five-link bracelet are polished to perfection. The Jubilee bracelet also features Rolex’s Easylink comfort extension, which allows the wearer to quickly increase the bracelet length by approximately 5mm without the need for tools, meaning it can be done on the go to cater for different outfits. An ideal bracelet design if you plan on wearing this as your daily!
Dial Design
The main highlight of this timepiece is the yellow gold material, combined with this stunning new bright green dial. As mentioned earlier, this green is vastly different to the darker “forest” green on the previous Rolex Sky-Dweller. The brighter shade of green combined with the sunburst effect livens up the dial in what is already an eye-catching timepiece.
Complementing this new shade of green, the dial comes with large rectangular hour indices filled with Chromalight that gives a long-lasting blue luminescence for excellent night-time visibility. The Cyclopes date window at 3 o’clock provides easy viewing for the wearer, but what I also like about date window design on the Sky-Dweller is that it replaces the 3 o’clock hour indices, done out of necessity to allow for the 24-hour dual timezone disc, but one that provides an overall balanced aesthetic dial view.
This 24-hour dial ring is where the technical mastery of the Sky-Dweller begins. The fixed inverted red triangle on the dial points to the chosen reference time – the time at home or the traveller’s usual workplace – on the off-centre 24-hour disc. Because this hour disc is in 24-hour format, it makes it super easy to know whether it’s day or night without the need for further indications on the dial.
Rolex has also designed an ingenious system in displaying the current month on the dial. Without using a separate sub-dial or aperture for the month indicator, Rolex has instead used what is already available on the dial, the 12 hour indices. Under each hour indices is a small rectangle, which is highlighted by a deep red colour for the current month!
Movement
The Sky-Dweller’s movement is truly something special. For those that might not know, the Calibre 9002 is a movement that is derived from Rolex’s in-house Calibre 9001, one of the most complex movements ever created by Rolex. Calibre 9001 has several patent applications, which have been fitted into the Sky-Dweller Calibre 9002 movement as well.
While the movement is fitted with Rolex’s patented mechanisms such as the Chronergy Escapement, blue Parachrom hair spring, and the Perpetual rotor, which ensures continuous winding of the mainspring and continuous delivery of power, what really stands out for me is the Ring Command System.
The Ring Command System is a “Patented mechanism of interaction between the rotatable bezel, the winding crown and the movement, developed by Rolex, allows the user to select the watch’s functions one-by-one – calendar (date and month), local time or reference time – by turning the fluted bezel counterclockwise by one, two or three positions respectively.” Another ingeniously designed system by Rolex, the Ring Command System allows for easy operation of all the main functions of the Sky-Dweller by the wearer, eliminating the need for multiple pushers or complicated adjustments.
Initial Thoughts
The Rolex Sky-Dweller has always been a marvel of horological engineering, seamlessly combining functionality and elegance for the modern traveler. With its bold yellow-gold case and radiant green dial, this latest iteration continues that tradition while paying homage to Rolex’s heritage through its signature color. The combination of the luxurious case material, the striking dial, and the innovative movement makes this a visually captivating and mechanically sophisticated timepiece.
Whether worn as a statement piece or relied upon for its practical applications, this new Sky-Dweller, with its striking green and gold combination, is a testament to Rolex’s mastery of blending heritage, luxury, and innovation.
Specification: Rolex Sky-Dweller (336938-0008)
- Dimensions: 42mm x 14.1mm
- Case Material: 18 ct yellow gold
- Dial: Bright green with highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence
- Movement: Perpetual mechanical self-winding Calibre 9002
- Movement Frequency: 28,800VpH (4hZ)
- Movement Power reserve: 72 hours
- Water resistance: 100m (10 Bar)
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire, Cyclops lens over the date
- Bracelet/Strap: Jubilee five-piece link 18 ct yellow gold bracelet with folding Oysterclasp with Easylink 5 mm comfort extension link.
