Rolex Showcases the Essence of Elegance - The New 1908 with Settimo Bracelet
- coolwatchgo1
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
At Watches & Wonders 2025, the newly introduced Land-Dweller collection undoubtedly captured the spotlight. However, beyond the main stage, Rolex also unveiled another notable hig
hlight: the Perpetual 1908 equipped with the newly developed Setteimo bracelet. Featuring a solid yellow-gold case paired with a new seven-link bracelet structure, the model reflects Rolex’s continued refinement of its classic dress-watch philosophy and marks a new chapter in formal timepieces following the Cellini line.
Rolex Perpetual 1908 Ref.52508
In addition to the white dial, the Perpetual 1908 Ref. 52508 is now also available with a black dial. It is powered by the self-winding Cal.7140 movement, offering a 66-hour power reserve, 38 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vph and water resistance to 50 meters. The watch features the newly developed Setteimo bracelet paired with an 18K yellow-gold case measuring 39mm in diameter.
First introduced in 2023, the Perpetual 1908 collection receives a notable expansion with Ref. 52508, the first model in the line to be offered with a full gold bracelet. The update represents not only an aesthetic enhancement but also a step forward in Rolex’s material application and design expression within the Perpetual 1908 series.
Aesthetic Language That Is Simple Yet Elegant
The watch features Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, 9 and 12 positions, paired with slender bar indices and a small second hand at the 6 o'clock position. This design not only captures the classic charm of the 1930s Oyster Perpetual but cleverly incorporates modern aesthetics, building a bridge connecting the past to the future. The inscription "Superlative Chronometer" above the small second hand stands as a testament to its precise quality.
The Core Upgrade: Craftsmanship of the Settimo Bracelet
The elegance of this watch is significantly elevated by the newly designed Settimo bracelet. Tailored specifically for the Perpetual 1908, it features a structure with seven slightly curved links per row. Each link is meticulously polished to a mirror finish, showcasing Rolex's precision craftsmanship.
This flexible design evokes the grace of classic jewelry bracelets while maintaining a modern sense of style. Notably, the intentional small gap between the bracelet and case further enhances the watch's classical dress watch characteristic, distinguishing it from the recent trend of integrated bracelet designs in sporty models.
The clasp construction also reflects Rolex’s signature attention to detail. The concealed Crown folding clasp integrates seamlessly into the flow of the bracelet, with only the coronet visible to denote the brand identity. The inner surface is finished with high-polish treatment, delivering a jewellery-like level of refinement.
The Fusion of Perfect Proportions and Top Technology
The new model adopts the existing case profile with a diameter of 39mm and a thickness of 9.5mm. Coupled with the finely crafted fluted bezel and short, slightly angled lugs, it achieves perfect balance and offers an exceptionally comfortable wearing experience. The white lacquered dial intentionally minimizes excessive decoration, highlighting the interplay of light and shadow on the hands, underscoring a subtle sophistication.
Consistent with the existing 1908 series, this watch features transparent case back design, allowing for a clear view of the intricate decorations and movements of the Cal.7140 movement. This in-house automatic movement fuses state-of-the-art technology with traditional craftsmanship, equipped with Geneva wave decoration, a gold skeleton rotor, a Chronergy escapement and a Syloxi hairspring, pushing the aesthetic of functional beauty to its limits.
In terms of visual presence, wearing comfort and overall refinement, the experience marks a clear step up. Compared with the leather-strap variants, the Perpetual 1908 Ref. 52508 stands not merely as another configuration within the line, but as a new model with its own distinct identity.
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