It’s been weeks of fervent speculation about the arrival of a completely new watch called the Rolex Land-Dweller. But up until yesterday no one could (indeed, would) be absolutely certain about the information. Even though leaked visuals clearly feature the new trademarked name. Because there was always the possibility that those visuals were fake.

However, as of 30^th March 2025, the news is as good as confirmed. In an Instagram post on his personal account, Rolex ambassador and tennis legend Roger Federer shared some images taken on a recent ski trip. The snow was lovely, the dog was cute and the apres-ski looked awesome but everyone saw “it.”

On Federer’s wrist, subtle but unmistakeably present, was the watch that would very soon be unveiled to the world: Rolex Land-Dweller. Everything checks out. Silvery textured dial, fluted bezel, Cyclops lens, and most importantly, case with integrated bracelet and a new five-link flatlink bracelet design. It’s official, ladies and gentlemen, the Rolex Land-Dweller is definitely happening.

Rolex Land-Dweller: A Game-Changing Collection

After Sea and Sky, Rolex is finally going for Land. This territory has traditionally been covered by the Explorer. But in recent years Rolex has gradually shifted its brand positioning from entry luxury to premium luxury. Its average price point has risen significantly to an estimated CHF 12,218 in 2024 versus CHF 9,822 in 2020 (per the Morgan Stanley x LuxeConsult report.)

The company’s most recent headlining novelties collectively signal a move towards haute horlogerie. And the examples are many. They include the Perpetual 1908 with traditional guilloché. There is the open-caseback Daytona in platinum. And the Day-Date 36 Jigsaw with champlevé enamel. With the arrival of the Land-Dweller, Rolex will cement its position as a maker of high end luxury sport-chic timepieces.

In order for Rolex to position the Land-Dweller as a high-end luxury sport-chic timepiece, it will have to deliver an haute horlogerie movement and an ultra-refined design aesthetic. Judging by what can be gleaned from the watch on Federer’s wrist as well as the two Rolex video teasers, the Land-Dweller will herald a new era for Rolex.

“I think the Rolex Land-Dweller has the potential to be game-changing,” says Revolution founder Wei Koh. “Rolex is leading the industry on every level.” Watch the latest YouTube video on this topic here.

All-New Industrial Escapement

Based on the official video teaser we understand that the Land-Dweller will feature a new patented escapement. Revolution Technical Editor Cheryl Chia wrote this in-depth article explaining full details of the patent. Based on the patent documents, we may surmise there would be two distinct designs. The first would have a double-layer escape wheel (likely in nickel-phosphorous.) The other, a single-layer escape wheel (likely in silicon).

Drawing of the Rolex patented escapement revealing two escape wheels impulsing a lever

From the video we are able to see two escape wheels. They move simultaneously to engage the impulse or locking surface on the lever. Their metallic blue appearance suggests the use of silicon. Thus this this Rolex’s take on the natural escapement which was first invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in 1789.

But with this new escapement Rolex has achieved the one thing no other watch company has done related to the natural escapement. That is, making it operable at industrial volume. Says Chia in the article, “Rolex’s approach to innovation is well-known — methodical and long-term, prioritising incremental yet fundamental improvements, always in service of industrial-scale reliability.”

As such, this new escapement by Rolex would be the first major new escapement that can be industrialized by a Swiss watchmaking brand since Omega did it with the George Daniels Co-Axial escapement in 1999. Grand Seiko has also achieve a major milestone in 2022 with the high-frequency Dual Impulse escapement in its Caliber 9SA5.

Omega Co-Axial escapement

Grand Seiko dual impulse escapement used in the Caliber 9SA5

More pertinently, Rolex’s new direct-impulse escapement appears to be chronometer certified. It has passed both the COSC certification which tests the movement to -4/+6 seconds per day, and Rolex’s superlative chronometer internal certification of -2/+2 seconds per day. The crown symbol between the Swiss Made label indicates the use of a new movement, all of which are subject to the two aforementioned tests.

Dynapulse?

Recently a document has been circulating around Instagram that appears to be a trademark application on the name ‘Dynapulse’ by Rolex Watch USA Inc. This application was filed on 14^th June 2024 and published on 4^thFebruary 2025. Seeing as Rolex is expected to release a new direct impulse escapement, it is well possible that the new trade name could be this one right here.

Trademark document on Dynapulse (Image: Niccoloy/IG)

Unfortunately we can’t be absolutely certain if this trademark is directly relevant to the new Rolex escapement. We will however update this article as soon as information is released.

State-of-the-Art Silicon

Ten years ago, Rolex introduced the Chronergy escapement. Essentially similar to the Swiss Lever escapement, it proposed a new wheel and anchor design for optimal efficiency. The escape wheel was made of nickel-phosphorous and thus requires the use of pallet stones and lubrication.

Rolex Chronergy escapement

Comparatively, the new escapement is entirely made of silicon, a material with low coefficient of friction, amagnetic, light, super hard at 1,100 Vickers and it can be consistently manufactured at scale. The manufacturing process, known as DRIE, also produces parts that are super complex and yet accurate to the last micron.

As such, this might be the first serially produced movement in the history of watchmaking with an escapement that is entirely lubrication free.

Indeed Rolex was one of the first watch manufactures to conduct research on the viability of silicon in modern watchmaking. As early as 20 years ago, the brand was already experimenting on this material for escapements with integrated pallets. In 2002, Rolex, Patek Philippe and the Swatch Group collectively patented Silinvar which is silicon with a deposit of silicon dioxide on the surface to render it thermally stable.

Most recently silicon is the material used for Rolex’s Syloxi hairspring which, per the video, will also be used with the new escapement.

Rolex Syloxi hairspring, balance wheel with microstella nuts

An Integrated Bracelet Sport-Chic Watch

Apart from a brand new movement with a game-changing new escapement, the Rolex Land-Dweller also presents a completely new case and bracelet design. It is set to fill the integrated sports-chic bracelet category that, at the moment, is missing from Rolex’s line up. The last time Rolex had anything like this was in the 1970s.

Its design precedent is undoubtedly the Rolex Oysterquartz, specifically, the Ref 17013 two-tone steel and yellow gold model. There was also a Ref 17014 steel and white gold model. While all Oysterquartz references such as the Ref 5100 “Texano” had a case with integrated bracelet, Ref 17013 and 17014 featured a five-link flat-link bracelet as well as a fluted bezel.

Rolex Oysterquartz ref 17013 (Image: Oysterquartz/IG)

At this point there appears to be at least three case-and-bracelet materials for the Rolex Land-Dweller: Rolesor steel and white gold, Everose gold and platinum.

Next comes the question of case size. Or rather possibly, case sizes. In the video teaser we see Roger Federer and Yuja Wang making their way through the streets of New York. Federer has already been seen wearing the Land-Dweller, and it is very likely that Wang will also be sporting one very soon. Potentially this means the Land-Dweller will be a collection for both genders. As such, we should be looking at 36, 37 or 39mm models and maybe also a 34mm one for all the men and women who are at the top of their game.