The Great Escapement

A radical move for the usually conservative Rolex

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ROLEX, TO MISQUOTE David Nobbs' character CJ in The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, didn't get where it is today by frightening the horses. Every now and then there's a new dial or a new case, very occasionally a new model. Change, sure, but at the sort of rate that the Alps move at. So the firm launching a new model, the Land-Dweller, featuring a new escapement, is a proper flags-and-bunting event.

That said, at first glance, the new watch doesn't look exactly revolutionary. At the risk of sounding like Mystic Mark, I know what you're thinking. If you're under 40 it'll be 'Gosh, doesn't it look like a Tissot PRX?' Over 40 or into your vintage stuff and it's 'Blimey, is that an Oysterquartz or a ref.1530?' And yes, the resemblance to both is there - after all, every maker now needs a Genta-esque integrated-bracelet watch in the range.