Rolex has revived the Padellone name with a 39mm annual calendar and moonphase watch, powered by its new five-hertz Calibre 7190 and Haplos mechanism.
Rolex reintroduces a celebrated calendar name
Rolex has introduced the Perpetual Padellone, a 39-millimetre watch displaying the weekday, month, date and lunar phase alongside the hours, minutes and seconds. Unveiled on September 15, 2026, it revisits the nickname collectors applied to reference 8171, a rare complete-calendar Rolex made in the middle of the twentieth century.
The new design draws on that history while incorporating a movement developed for current performance standards. It is a new watch announced in 2026, not an original 1950s reference being offered for sale or a guarantee that the historical pieces will change in value.
The calendar changes all three indications together
The Perpetual Padellone's annual calendar distinguishes between months of 30 and 31 days. Rolex developed a system called Haplos that uses two additional components linked to the date mechanism, enabling the change from date to date and from one month to the next without ordinary manual corrections.
At midnight, the date, day and month change instantaneously together, creating a technically demanding transition while keeping the display legible. As an annual calendar, it still needs one adjustment when February ends; it should not be confused with a perpetual calendar that accounts for leap years automatically.
A moonphase disc gives the dial its visual centre
The moonphase indication appears at six o'clock against a deep blue disc that refers to the night sky. The day and month sit within apertures above, while a blue crescent-tipped hand points towards dates placed around the dial's outer edge.
Rolex combines a predominantly grained dial finish with a finer satin-brushed treatment near the edge. These details give the watch a different appearance from a conventional Oyster sports model while remaining recognisably related to the brand's classic watchmaking.
New Calibre 7190 beats at five hertz
Rolex created Calibre 7190 specifically for the Padellone, building upon ideas first seen in its earlier 71XX movement family. The new self-winding movement operates at five hertz and uses the brand's Dynapulse escapement together with a Syloxi silicon hairspring.
Rolex lists a power reserve of approximately 66 hours. The stated development has been associated with 30 patent applications, but the number of filings should not be mistaken for proof that every element of the watch is patented or unique to this model.
The transparent back reveals the construction
The 39-millimetre case has a transparent sapphire back through which the movement's finishing can be viewed. Bridges decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève and a yellow-gold oscillating weight provide visual detail without obscuring the practical mechanical architecture.
The presentation places craftsmanship alongside functionality, rather than concealing the mechanism completely. Buyers should confirm the materials and particular bracelet or strap offered for the reference they want, as the collection includes different precious-metal and attachment options.
Precious metals and refined bracelets define the range
Rolex offers gold and platinum interpretations, with contrasting dial colours and selected bracelet or leather-strap configurations. A seven-piece link design named Settimo is part of the collection's more jewellery-oriented presentation, while other versions adopt a traditional leather strap.
The appearance varies considerably among these watches, even though the underlying complication is shared. Customers should check the precise reference and specification instead of assuming that one product photograph represents the whole range.
Stricter testing accompanies the 2026 models
The Perpetual Padellone receives Rolex's Superlative Chronometer designation, which the company says now extends to new criteria for magnetic resistance, reliability and durability. Its quoted finished-watch accuracy standard remains within minus two and plus two seconds per day following casing and testing.
Those measures are the manufacturer's certification framework and do not eliminate the need for regular care or protection against unsuitable use. A refined precious-metal calendar watch should be treated according to its stated water-resistance and service recommendations.
Original watch and manufacturer images
Rolex's official Padellone release explains the calendar mechanism and movement, while the model presentation shows the alternatives and their details. The accompanying photograph is taken from Rolex's own image distribution system.
Collectors considering a purchase should ask an authorised retailer about pricing and allocation rather than assume ready availability from an online announcement. The watch's technical interest is clear, but its production and subsequent collector-market performance cannot be inferred from a single launch statement.