For 2020, Rolex added their patented Oysterflex rubber bracelet to six gold Sky-Dweller watches.

The Sky-Dweller retains the same 42 mm diameter case, with the signature fluted bezel, and the company’s exclusive second-time zone movement and display — now with the option of a soft rubber Oysterflex bracelet.

Really, the only change here is the addition of the black Oysterflex rubber bracelet as an option for three 18K yellow gold Sky-Dwellers (black, white, and champagne dials), and for three 18K Everose gold models (brown, white, and gray dials).

Driven by the in-house automatic caliber 9001, developed in 2012, the Sky-Dweller remains the only Rolex which features a rotatable Ring Command bezel. “The bezel can be turned to one of three positions to select the date, local time, or reference time. The selected function can then be rapidly adjusted in either direction using the winding crown,” according to Rolex.

A red triangle fixed in place at 12 o’clock above the center 24-hour second-time zone ring points to the selected reference (home time) which is rotated using the crown. This format also allows you to quickly see whether it’s day or night at your preferred home time zone.

The center hour and minute hands, which can be advanced or retarded using the crown, in one-hour increments, are typically used to display the local time (where you are located at the present). Neither the minute and seconds nor the reference time in the second time zone are affected. And, since the watch is not stopped, accuracy is preserved.

Sky-Dwellers have an annual calendar built-in and display within the chapter ring. Each of the 12 hour markers has a square-shaped aperture that displays either white or red. Red marks the day of the month and is controlled by adjusting the Rolex Ring Command bezel, and then turning the crown backward or forward until the desired month is selected (January is 12 o’clock, February is 1 o’clock, and so on). The date is directly linked to the local time which means setting the center hour and minute hands automatically adjust the date, even when changing time zones. This so-called “Saros” annual calendar only needs to be corrected for February since it has 28 (or 29 days). The date changes over instantly (in a few milliseconds), versus semi-instantaneous (over a few minutes), or gradually (over an hour or two).

Back to the Oysterflex bracelet, which was developed and patented by Rolex. The bracelet attaches to the watch case and the Oysterlock safety clasp by a flexible titanium and nickel alloy metal blade. The blade is overmolded with high-performance black elastomer (rubber) which is durable and comfortable.

For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with a patented longitudinal cushion system that stabilizes the watch on the wrist and fitted with an 18K yellow or Everose gold Oysterlock safety clasp. It also features the Rolex Glidelock extension system, designed and patented by the brand. This toothed mechanism, integrated beneath the clasp, allows fine adjustment of the bracelet length by 15 mm in increments of approximately 2.5 mm, without the use of tools.

Rolex’s caliber 9001 automatic movement is tested to -2/+2 after being cased-up, which is far more accurate than even a COSC-certified chronometer (which is -4/+6). This is the same with all new Rolex watches. The regulation system oscillates at 4Hz and the power reserve is 72-hours.