Rolex Introduces the Perpetual Padellone With Annual Calendar

Image source: www.rolex.com

The Historic Rolex Reference 8171 Padellone

Rolex produced only two triple-calendar references with moonphase displays in its history. One of them was reference 8171, produced from 1949 to 1953 and offered in stainless steel and yellow gold.

At 38 mm in diameter, the watch was unusually large for its period. Its proportions helped give rise to the Italian nickname Padellone, which can be translated as large frying pan.

Reference 8171 featured a snap-on caseback rather than a screw-down construction. Inside was the automatic A295 CPL calibre, with a rotor capable of rotating through 360 degrees.

The historic model combined day and month apertures, a peripheral date display indicated by a central hand and a moonphase display in the lower part of the dial. These elements provide the visual foundation for the new Perpetual Padellone.

A 39 mm Case in Everose Gold or Platinum

The modern Rolex Perpetual Padellone has a 39 mm case measuring 12.20 mm thick and 45 mm from lug to lug. Its overall appearance shares some design characteristics with the dress watches of the Perpetual 1908 collection.

Rolex offers the watch in either 18 ct Everose gold or 950 platinum. The case features polished surfaces, a domed fluted bezel and domed sapphire crystal.

Four recessed correctors are positioned around the case. The month can be adjusted at 2 o'clock, the date at 4 o'clock, the moonphase at 8 o'clock and the day of the week at 10 o'clock.

Unlike the historic reference 8171, the modern watch has a screw-down caseback incorporating a sapphire crystal window. Water resistance is rated to 50 metres.

Three versions are available. The two Everose gold models feature white dials, while the platinum version is paired with a light blue dial.

Annual Calendar and Meteorite Moonphase Display

The dial architecture closely follows the layout associated with the vintage Padellone.

Two apertures in the upper half of the dial display the day of the week and month. A central hand with a crescent-shaped tip indicates the date around the dial's perimeter, while the moonphase display occupies the lower section.

A central seconds hand provides one of the notable visual differences from the historic model.

Applied numerals appear at 3 and 9 o'clock, with faceted hour markers used for the remaining positions. These elements are made from either pink gold or white gold, depending on the case material.

The moonphase display uses a blue enamel disc that completes one rotation every 29.53 days. Meteorite elements represent the full moon and new moon.

For the full moon, the meteorite is silver-treated and decorated with a black pad-printed pattern. The new moon uses blue PVD-coated meteorite with a silver-coloured print. Stars are also applied to the display using pad printing.

Calibre 7190 Introduces the Haplos Annual Calendar

Inside the Perpetual Padellone is Rolex calibre 7190, developed from calibre 7135, the movement first introduced in the Land-Dweller.

One of its principal technical features is the Dynapulse escapement. According to the specifications presented for the movement, the system is 30% more efficient than a conventional Swiss lever escapement. Its architecture uses two silicon distribution wheels and an indirect tangential impulse transmission.

Calibre 7190 also incorporates a Syloxi silicon hairspring, ceramic balance staff, balance wheel with variable inertia and the Paraflex shock-absorbing system.

The annual calendar module is integrated into the movement and uses a patent-pending system called Haplos. The mechanism consists of two components interacting with the date mechanism.

The date, day and month indications change instantaneously at midnight, while a rapid correction system allows the calendar indications to be adjusted when required.

The movement operates at a frequency of 5 Hz and provides a power reserve of approximately 66 hours. Its oscillating weight is made from solid yellow gold.

Like other current Rolex watches, the Perpetual Padellone carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, with a stated precision of minus 2 to plus 2 seconds per day.

Three Rolex Perpetual Padellone Models Join the Collection

The Perpetual Padellone is offered with black or brown alligator leather straps. The straps have green calfskin lining and use Rolex's Dualclasp double folding clasp.

The Everose gold version is also available with the Settimo bracelet, first introduced in 2025. It consists of seven rows of rounded polished links and connects to the case through a curved end link using a patented attachment system.

All three Perpetual Padellone models are set to join the permanent Rolex collection rather than being produced as limited editions.

Indicative pricing is CHF 52,500 for the Everose gold model on a leather strap, CHF 64,800 for the Everose gold version with the Settimo bracelet, and CHF 59,000 for the platinum model.

With its annual calendar, moonphase display and design references to the rare reference 8171, the Perpetual Padellone brings one of Rolex's historic calendar layouts into the brand's modern collection.