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A good surprise
I'm not very much into Rolex, but I've always liked the design of the Oysterquartz case and the ref. 1530 & 1630 (Oysterquartz case with a mechanical movement), so I wanted to see the Land-Dweller in the metal.
I asked to try on the 36 mm ref. 127234 in oystersteel & white gold ("White Rolesor", as Rolex calls this combination of metals).
On photos, there were elements I didn't like: the honeycomb motif on the dial, the modern design of the numerals and the flat end of the rectangular hands. But the whole is much better than the sum of its parts and, on the wrist I didn't care.
The fit on my 16 cm wrist was perfect.
And even if the 40 mm variant didn't make that big of a difference (on photos, it's quite hard to tell one model from the other), it didn't feel as nice and comfortable on the wrist (below, 40 mm version, ref. 127334):
I liked the flat link bracelet, the only disappointment being the lack of any "easy-fit" system in the clasp.
I also liked very much the case profile and overall look. So, it definitely was a good surprise.
In conclusion and as a comparison, here's how a few other Rolex models fit on my 16 cm wrist.
Submariner ref. 124060, 41 mm
Yacht-Master 40, ref. 126622
Yacht-Master 40, ref. 126655
Sea-Dweller, ref. 126600, 43 mm
Cosmograph Daytona, ref. 116523, 40 mm
1908, ref. 52508, 39 mm
Explorer 36, ref. 124273
Datejust 36, ref. 126234
So, there's no doubt that the right size for me when it comes to Rolex watches is 36 mm (or 39 mm for the 1908). And there's no doubt either that the Land-Dweller ends up being among my favorite models, an outcome I wasn't expecting...
Thanks for reading!
Best, Emmanuel
PS: I realise that I didn't take any photos of the movement (caliber 7135), just because it was of no interest to me, the finishing being entirely machine-made: I would personally much prefer a solid case back for such a watch. But here are two shots found online that will be a good complement to the hands-on experience. And for an in-depth review of the movement, please check patrick_y's great article.
credit: the deep track & hodinkee
A good surprise
I'm not very much into Rolex, but I've always liked the design of the Oysterquartz case and the ref. 1530 & 1630 (Oysterquartz case with a mechanical movement), so I wanted to see the Land-Dweller in the metal. I asked to try on the 36 mm ref. 127234 ...
In fact, the Yacht-Master feels too big on my wrist.
At least the 40 mm: I’ve never been able to try on the 37 mm. Best, Emmanuel
I totally agree about dial and hands
And it was interesting to read that it didn’t matter on wrist. Whilst out of my pay grade right now, I love the case and bracelet design as I’m also a fan of the gorgeous Oysterquartz cases. Hopefully when the time comes they’ll have a more classic darker...
Different dials will very likely be made
in the future. Let’s wait and see! But the OG model is much better than I thought it would be. Best, Emmanuel
All of these watches look great and each is great for a different reason.
This is why Rolex is 👑.
True,
but Land-Dweller, Datejust and 1908 are my personal favorites. I don’t really respond to the other models, even the Explorer 36. Just my feeling of course. Best, Emmanuel
Why wouldn't you be able to get one? ;-)
Getting one didn't seem unattainable at all (even if not immediate, predictably)! Best, Emmanuel
I take is as a sign that this watch
isn't considered by Rolex as a true sports watch, rather a dressy-sporty-looking watch. Which isn't a surprise given the white gold knurled bezel and polished center links. And clasp adjustment isn't always necessary: on my Alpine Eagle, for example, I do...
No, it didn't.
It would be redundant with my Alpine Eagle and such Rolexes can't be worn safely everywhere. And, more importantly, what I'm really after for many months now (and for what I need to keep all my funds available) is a "meaningful" Patek Philippe (meaningful...
Thank you for doing the investigative work for us !
I have yet to see this new reference in the metal, but I already know that 36mm would be optimal for me. I do expect when I finally see one, like you several of the features which may have given me hesitation as seen from the press photos will likely all ...
My pleasure! Thank you, Jay.
Hopefully you will like the Land-Dweller 36 as I did when you get to try one on. The Sub might look ok on my wrist, but it feels chunky to me (if I ever chose a Sub, I wouldn't pick one with a "super case") and, more importantly, the aesthetic isn't that ...
Thanks
I like the Land Dweller 40, the only real novelty of the last 10 years. All other references are bad copies of discontinued models.
It’s definitely a nice timepiece
and even if 36 was a better fit for me, 40 is most certainly a better one for other wrists. The only point about which I would slightly diverge from you is that, even if it’s undoubtedly a novelty, it’s also deeply inspired by a discontinued model: the Oy...
Nice review...
...it will be interesting to see what dial variations Rolex comes up with...