The award for Watch Revolution of the Year is given to the brand and watch that have revolutionized the industry by the sheer impact of their innovations. We are not looking at how new or, indeed, how clever said innovations might be, but rather, at how they reset expectations and challenge the norm, and in doing so, push the boundaries of what is possible in watchmaking today.

Land-Dweller in Oystersteel and white gold with white dial; 950 platinum with ice blue dial (©Revolution)

Given these considerations, it was an easy, unanimous decision to present the Rolex Land-Dweller with the Watch Revolution of the Year award. As a brand-new collection — the first since the debut of the Sky-Dweller in 2012 — with an all-new caliber underpinned by a suite of patents, the Land-Dweller is a very public declaration of game-changing innovation, a clear signal from Rolex. The fact that the Land-Dweller is a regular production collection, not a pièce unique or limited edition, cements its win in our books.

At the heart of the Land-Dweller is Rolex’s all-new Caliber 7135, arguably the maison’s most technically significant movement in a while. As Rolex’s first high-beat movement, the Caliber 7135 races ahead at 5Hz versus the steady 4Hz of modern Rolex calibers, all while still maintaining an impressive power reserve of 66 hours. In other words, it beats faster, measuring time to one tenth of a second, and most crucially, it does so more efficiently. On these terms, it is certainly one of, if not the most, innovative mechanical calibers produced at scale today, not limited to special editions or one-offs.

This movement bears the words “Chronometer Perpetual” and “Superlative Adjusted”, engraved respectively on its oscillating weight and one of its bridges (©Revolution)

This is achieved via its all-new Dynapulse escapement that’s redesigned from the ground up. The Dynapulse escapement reduces friction, optimizing energy and efficiency by approximately 30 percent compared to the Swiss lever escapement, all without taking up much more space. Rolex has also reworked the oscillator, tapping on advanced material science to optimize shock resistance and stability, and improve magnetic resistance. To achieve a higher beat rate, Rolex has incorporated a Syloxi hairspring with thicker, reshaped coils for more rigidity, which enables it to maintain stable oscillation at 5Hz.

The Dynapulse escapement is the most significant innovation in the regulating system of the new caliber 7135. Seven patent applications have been filed for this sequential distribution escapement

All in all, the technical achievements contained within the Caliber 7135 have netted 16 patents, and deservedly so. Innovations of this scale are rare and expensive, and they take time — 10 years in this instance, according to Rolex.

Beyond technical mastery, the Land-Dweller is also a good-looking watch that not only retains the design codes of Rolex, but also arguably elevates them — from the honeycomb dial and flattened Jubilee bracelet to the redesigned Oyster case with transparent caseback that proudly showcases the groundbreaking movement within. Such a display is rare for Rolex; to date, only the 1908 and platinum editions of the Cosmograph Daytona share a similar insider view. This is a sure sign of just how special the Caliber 7135 is.

The baguette-cut diamonds to take the place of hour markers, and the bezel comes festooned with 44 trapeze-cut diamonds for high-shine glamor (©Revolution)

The Rolex Land-Dweller might not be the boldest and loudest launch of 2025, but it is the most consequential in its impact and significance.