The Rolex Perpetual Padellone combines heritage, cutting-edge innovation and timeless elegance in the Swiss watchmaker’s latest horological masterpiece
As Rolex celebrates a century of extraordinary watchmaking achievements, the introduction of the Rolex Perpetual Padellone marks another milestone in the brand’s pursuit of precision and innovation. Inspired by the legendary Rolex reference 8171, affectionately known among collectors as the “Padellone”, this sophisticated annual calendar watch bridges classic craftsmanship with groundbreaking technology.
Featuring an instantaneous complete annual calendar, moonphase display and the all-new calibre 7190 movement, the Perpetual Padellone demonstrates how Rolex continues to push the boundaries of haute horology while remaining unmistakably elegant.
A Modern Tribute to a Rolex Icon
The new Padellone takes its name from the celebrated Rolex reference 8171, a complete calendar watch that has become one of the brand’s most admired vintage creations.
The contemporary interpretation expands Rolex’s Perpetual collection with a refined 39 mm timepiece that displays the date, day, month, moonphase, hours, minutes and seconds. Every element has been designed to balance technical complexity with understated luxury.
The moonphase at six o’clock creates a poetic connection between the rhythm of the Moon and life on Earth, while the complete annual calendar ensures effortless everyday functionality.
A Dial Designed for Elegance
The Padellone’s dial showcases Rolex’s meticulous attention to detail.
A grained finish covers most of the dial, while a fine satin-finished outer ring frames the display. A striking blue centre hand tipped with a crescent moon points to the date around the dial’s perimeter.
At 12 o’clock, two discreet apertures display the day and month in English. At six o’clock, the moonphase disc completes a full rotation every 29.53 days, with both the full moon and new moon crafted from meteorite, adding an extraordinary celestial touch.
Calibre 7190 Sets a New Standard
At the heart of the Rolex Perpetual Padellone beats the brand-new calibre 7190, a self-winding mechanical movement developed exclusively for this watch.
Protected by 30 patent applications, including two exclusive to the movement itself, calibre 7190 introduces several important innovations that elevate Rolex’s annual calendar technology.
Haplos Makes the Annual Calendar Smarter
The standout innovation is the patented Haplos system, an elegantly simple mechanism that uses just two components to distinguish automatically between 30-day and 31-day months.
The date, day and month all change instantaneously at midnight, eliminating the gradual transitions seen in many calendar watches.
Dynapulse Escapement Brings Greater Efficiency
The movement also incorporates Rolex’s Dynapulse escapement, first introduced with the Land-Dweller in 2025.
Manufactured from silicon, the escapement delivers exceptional energy efficiency while offering outstanding resistance to magnetic fields. Combined with the specially reinforced Syloxi hairspring, high-tech ceramic balance staff and Paraflex shock absorbers, the movement achieves remarkable stability in demanding conditions.
Despite its slim profile, calibre 7190 operates at a high frequency of 5 hertz and delivers approximately 66 hours of power reserve.
Three Distinctive Luxury Configurations
Rolex offers the Perpetual Padellone in three elegant interpretations:
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18 ct Everose gold with an intense white dial and the refined Settimo bracelet.
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950 platinum with an iconic ice-blue dial and a matt black alligator leather strap.
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18 ct Everose gold with a matt brown alligator leather strap for a more classic finish.
Each version reflects the collection’s emphasis on timeless sophistication rather than overt extravagance.
A Case That Blends Heritage and Modern Design
The 39 mm case perfectly reflects the Padellone’s dual personality.
The bezel combines a softly domed upper section with elegant fluting below, while the gently chamfered lugs enhance the flowing silhouette. A transparent sapphire case back reveals the beautifully finished movement, including Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration and a yellow gold cut-out oscillating weight.
The case is water-resistant to 50 metres, providing everyday practicality without compromising refinement.
The Settimo Bracelet’s Refined Comfort
One of the collection’s most distinctive features is the Settimo bracelet, available on the Everose gold model.
Its seven polished links create an exceptionally supple feel on the wrist while maintaining a seamless visual appearance thanks to the concealed Crownclasp.
The leather strap versions feature matt alligator leather with green calfskin lining and Rolex’s Dualclasp, engineered to remain perfectly centred throughout wear.
Superlative Chronometer Certification
Like every Rolex timepiece, the Perpetual Padellone carries the prestigious Superlative Chronometer certification.
Since 2026, the certification has expanded to include additional testing for magnetic resistance, reliability and sustainability, alongside Rolex’s already demanding standards for precision, waterproofness, self-winding performance and autonomy.
Each completed watch is tested inside Rolex’s manufacture, where finished timepieces must achieve an accuracy of –2 to +2 seconds per day, exceeding the requirements for standard chronometer certification.
The Future of Rolex Watchmaking
The Rolex Perpetual Padellone is more than an annual calendar watch. It represents a thoughtful evolution of one of Rolex’s most admired historical references while introducing technologies that point towards the future of Swiss watchmaking.
By combining the poetry of a moonphase display with the precision of calibre 7190 and the elegance of the Perpetual collection, the Padellone reinforces Rolex’s enduring commitment to innovation without losing sight of its remarkable heritage.
Available at the Rolex Boutique by Shemer Jewellers in Sandton.
