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Rolex Sky-Dweller
Ref. 326238
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The Sky-Dweller was built around a specific frustration: the annual calendar that requires only one manual correction per year, at the end of February, and a second time zone that a traveller can actually set without removing the watch from the wrist or consulting a manual. The Ring Command bezel solves that second problem in a way no other Rolex does — rotating it selects which function the crown will adjust, so the dial itself stays uncluttered and the case needs no additional pushers or recessed correctors. The Calibre 9001 behind it is one of the more genuinely complex movements Rolex produces in-house, carrying a 72-hour reserve and the Saros annual calendar mechanism alongside the off-centre disc that displays the second time zone. In solid 18ct yellow gold at 42mm, the watch is substantial, and the black dial reads with more restraint than the case material might suggest — the Chromalight markers hold a long blue glow in the dark rather than the brief white fade of earlier lume. The Oysterflex strap is not a concession to sport: its titanium-nickel core means it holds its shape over decades, and the Glidelock extension in the gold Oysterclasp allows precise fit adjustments without tools, which matters on a watch this heavy.
- Reference
- 326238
- Brand
- Rolex
- Collection
- Sky-Dweller
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case thickness
- 14mm
- Lug width
- 21mm
- Case material
- Gold
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Bezel
- Bidirectional rotating
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- 9001
- Functions
- GMT, Date, Perpetual calendar
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Rubber strap
- Strap colour
- Black
- Clasp
- Folding clasp
- Lume
- Luminous
- Condition
- Pre-owned
- Retailer
- Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 72 hours
- Gem set
- Yes
Learn more about Rolex
Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.
Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.
The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.
The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.
Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.
- 1905
- Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
- 1908
- The Rolex name is registered.
- 1926
- The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
- 1931
- The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
- 1953
- The Submariner and Explorer launch.
- 1963
- The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in Automatic Watches (1,693), Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (344), Watch Price Drops (314), GMT Watches (227) and Solid Gold Watches (160).
2-year Goldsmiths warranty
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- 72-hour reserve survives a weekend off the wrist
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Second time zone for travelling
Worth knowing
- 14mm thick, so it will not disappear under a cuff
Price history
This watch is currently at its lowest recorded price. It reached £35,950 on 9 September. Prices are checked every day, and we record any changes.
Rolex Sky-Dweller alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification |  326238 | 26405CE.OO.A002CA.02 | 81010-32-3081-1CX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £28,755 | £26,950 | £20,450 |
| Case size | 42mm | 44mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Rubber strap | Rubber strap | Ceramic bracelet |
| Power reserve | 72 hours | 50 hours | 54 hours |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 72 hours fully wound — enough to sit off the wrist over a weekend and still be running.
What size strap does it take?
21mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Goldsmiths at £28,755 is the cheapest of 4 UK retailers, against £32,950 at the dearest — a difference of £4,195.
Has the price changed recently?
It's currently at its lowest recorded price since we began tracking it. It's ranged between £28,755 and £35,950, today it's £28,755.
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