Rolex Unveils New Perpetual Padellone Annual Calendar Watches, Paying Homage to Vintage Design

Experience Timeless Elegance: The Rolex Perpetual Padellone, A Modern Homage to Horological Legacy

The Grand Debut: Rolex's Latest Calendar Masterpiece

Breaking from its usual schedule of releases tied to major events like Watches & Wonders, Rolex proudly unveiled a new addition to its esteemed collection in September 2026. This latest creation, officially known as the Rolex Perpetual Padellone, marks a notable moment for watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.

A Fusion of Classic Aesthetics and Advanced Engineering

The Perpetual Padellone is presented in two luxurious material options: Everose gold (reference 53505) and platinum (reference 53506). While its visual design clearly echoes the elegant dress watches from Rolex's 1908 series, the internal mechanism is rooted in the groundbreaking caliber previously seen in the Land Dweller model. The timepiece's intriguing moniker, "Padellone," which translates to "large frying pan" in Italian, is a respectful homage to the vintage Rolex reference 8171, a complete calendar watch that serves as the primary inspiration for this modern reinterpretation.

The Padellone's Distinctive Casing and Water Resistance

Measuring 39mm in diameter and 12.2mm in thickness, the Padellone's case deviates from Rolex's characteristic waterproof Oyster design, hence the absence of "Oyster" in its official name. It features a domed sapphire crystal that integrates seamlessly with the bezel, complemented by a transparent caseback that offers a view of the intricate movement within. Unlike many of its siblings, the winding crown is not of the screw-down type, resulting in a water resistance rating of 50 meters, a departure from the 100+ meters typically found in Rolex's Oyster models.

Material and Dial Variations for Discerning Tastes

The 18k Everose gold Perpetual Padellone (ref. 53505) boasts a sophisticated matte white dial, with options for either a classic brown leather strap or an exquisite 7-link Settimo bracelet crafted from solid Everose gold. In contrast, the platinum iteration (ref. 53506) features a striking ice blue dial and is exclusively paired with a refined black leather strap, catering to a distinct aesthetic preference.

Precision and Innovation: The Caliber 7190 Movement

At the heart of the Rolex Perpetual Padellone lies the in-house Caliber 7190 automatic movement. This advanced mechanism is an evolution of the Caliber 7135, renowned for its revolutionary Dynapulse escapement, first introduced in the Land Dweller. Operating at a frequency of 5Hz and offering a substantial 66-hour power reserve, the Caliber 7190 incorporates Rolex's cutting-edge Syloxi silicon hairspring. It rigorously adheres to Rolex's stringent Superlative Chronometer standards, guaranteeing an impressive timekeeping accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day.

Comprehensive Calendar Functionality with Modern Enhancements

Mirroring its vintage predecessor, the Rolex "Padellone" reference 8171 from the late 1940s and early 1950s, the contemporary Perpetual Padellone watches elegantly display the month, day, date, and moonphase. Furthermore, the Caliber 7190 is equipped with Rolex's innovative "Haplos" annual calendar complication. This ingenious feature automatically adjusts for the varying number of days in each month, requiring manual correction only once annually, at the close of February.

Bridging Heritage and Modernity: Rolex's Strategic Positioning

Following the 2023 introduction of the Rolex 1908 collection, which succeeded the Cellini dress watch line, it was widely anticipated that versions with additional complications would soon emerge. While the Perpetual Padellone shares a similar aesthetic with the 1908 series and is part of the "Perpetual" rather than "Oyster Perpetual" lineup, Rolex has made a deliberate choice to establish the Padellone as a distinct model. This decision highlights a rare instance where Rolex has formally recognized and integrated a collector-coined nickname into its official product catalog, signifying a unique connection between the brand and its dedicated community.

Detailed Specifications of the Perpetual Padellone

The Perpetual Padellone is available in 18k Everose gold or 950 Platinum. It features hours, minutes, a Haplos annual calendar displaying day, date, and month, and a 29.53-day moonphase. Certified as a Superlative Chronometer, its dimensions are 39mm in diameter by 12.2mm in height. Dials are matte white with Everose gold markers for the gold model and ice blue with platinum markers for the platinum version. Both feature a domed sapphire crystal and a display-style screw-down caseback. Powering it is the automatic Caliber 7190 (5Hz) with a 66-hour power reserve and 50 meters water resistance. Strap options include brown leather with an Everose gold folding clasp (ref. 53505), black leather with a platinum folding clasp (ref. 53506), or an Everose gold Settimo bracelet (ref. 53505). These non-limited models are priced at $59,000 USD (leather strap), $66,200 USD (platinum with leather strap), and $72,800 USD (gold with Settimo bracelet).