The Heavy-Hitter Known As The Rolex Sky-Dweller 336938

Some watches just hit differently… It’s a given that we all have our preferences in this fascinating hobby, passion and/or profession. I, for one, am not the biggest fan of Field Watches. Never have, and I doubt I ever will truly warm up to them. I’ve also never been into yellow or rose gold watches, as I prefer the cleaner, more muted look of steel or titanium (with the odd exception here or there). However, I do admit that I am warming up to precious metals and sometimes am swept off my feet entirely. One such watch is this year’s new Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller 336938. A heavy, and in Rolex terms, complicated watch, with a BIG visual impact!

For me, the appreciation for Rolex has been a slow burn. Back in 2012, when I wrote my first article for MONOCHROME, I didn’t know the ins and outs I do now, and as such didn’t care much for the brand. Over time, meeting the people behind it and the products they make, I developed a deep appreciation for Rolex’s ethos and product development. But that doesn’t mean it’s blind love, as I do have my likes and dislikes in the catalogue.

One watch that only recently came onto my radar was last year’s stainless steel & mint green Sky-Dweller ref. 336934. The combination just clicked for me, and lured me into the collection more than any reference before it. However, this year’s ref. 336938 just blew me away with its yellow gold case, matching Jubilee bracelet and rich green sunray-brushed dial! It’s almost hard to put into words, but I am going to try anyway.

Stainless steel and Mint Green versus…

Yellow Gold and Green.

So what is it about this particular Sky-Dweller that does it for me? Well, for starters, it’s the classical flamboyance of yellow gold against green. It’s been a very popular look in the past, mainly in the 1970s and 1980s, as not only Rolex but many brands played around with the contrast of both. Either with lacquered dials or, of course, malachite stone dials, the style became very popular. But considering it was the time of the Wall Street cowboys, the Gordon Gekkos and the Jordan Belforts… it fit the picture. Looking back, you might say it was a bit brash, perhaps, and I wouldn’t disagree, but yellow gold has been gaining popularity again over the past couple of years and watches like this confirm once more why it’s such a good look if done right!

To give you some perspective on this latest edition of the Sky-Dweller, it features all the updates from last year but in a new combination of materials and colour. It’s still 42mm in width and 13.8mm in height, and crafted from solid 18k yellow gold top to bottom. The dial and its rich green tone just hit you straight out of the gate, shifting from bright green to almost black under changing light.

Finished with large applied markers, the signature red triangle and month markers, the off-centred GMT indication, and the added benefit of the annual calendar indication (date and month), this is a practical and very legible timepiece. The Jubilee bracelet is, in terms of looks at least, a must for me, as I think the Oyster bracelet that’s also available is overpowered by the fluted bezel, and the black of the Oysterflex bracelet isn’t the best look either.

While the time I had with it was quite short, about half an hour, it was profound. The heft of the gold is certainly part of the appeal, as you will not forget about this one when wearing it. But it’s never uncomfortable, given its brilliant fit and finish, and on top of that, it has a wonderful sense of balance around the wrist thanks to the matching bracelet. Add to that the ease of the Ring Command System to switch between the functions to set them, and you have a real winner on your hands in my book! Is it perfect? No, not exactly, as it’s a touch thick perhaps, and there’s a bit too much script within the 24-hour ring, but I could live with it.

Sure, some will say it’s over the top and just way too pretentious, but that’s exactly why I gravitate to it so strongly. Throughout my watch collecting adventures, I’ve always had an eye for the unconventional ones, the odd-balls if you will. I have a strong feeling that guides me through the Rolex catalogue, as I often find myself choosing the less obvious. If given the choice between an Explorer and an Air-King, I will go for the latter, just for its more quirky nature. And if given the choice between last year’s steel-and-mint green, or this year’s yellow-gold-and-green Sky-Dweller…. well…. I’d go bold!

With all this in mind, I challenge you to leave a comment about what you’re personal “bold statement watch” is, or would be. And for the fun of the conversation, let’s leave budget out of the equation, as this Sky-Dweller and its EUR 56,800 price tag is well beyond my – and most people’s – spending limits!

For more information, please visit Rolex.com.