Rolex has added a new complete annual calendar to its Perpetual collection with the Perpetual Padellone, a 39 mm watch combining instantaneous calendar indications with a moon-phase display.
The name Padellone refers to Rolex Reference 8171, a rare model produced between 1949 and 1952. One of only two vintage Rolex references combining a complete calendar with a moon-phase display, it measured 38 mm and featured a non-Oyster case with a snap-on back.
Its large proportions, for its time, led Italian collectors to nickname it “Padellone”, meaning “large frying pan” in Italian.
A Rolex Padellone from the 1940s
The new model displays the hours, minutes and seconds alongside the date, day, month and moon phase. Its calendar mechanism distinguishes between 30-day and 31-day months, while the date, day and month change simultaneously at midnight.
The system therefore requires adjustment only once a year, at the end of February.
The dial combines a grained finish across most of its surface with a fine satin finish around the periphery.
A blue-coated central date hand terminates in a crescent moon and points to the date scale around the edge of the dial.
Day and month are shown through two apertures at 12 o’clock, while the moon-phase display occupies 6 o’clock. Its blue enamelled disc completes one rotation every 29.53 days.
The full and new moons are represented by meteorite, with the new moon receiving a dark blue PVD coating, while the stars are pad printed in silver.
The 39 mm case is available in 18 ct Everose gold or 950 platinum and measures 12.20 mm thick.
Its domed and subtly fluted bezel surrounds a domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating, while the screw-down case back incorporates sapphire and receives anti-reflective treatment.
Water resistance is rated to 50 metres. Correctors integrated into the case provide access to the calendar functions, with the month at 2 o’clock, date at 4 o’clock, moon phase at 8 o’clock and day at 10 o’clock.
The Everose gold version is offered in two configurations.
Reference M53505-0002 pairs the intense white grained dial with a matt brown alligator leather strap, while reference M53505-0003 combines the same case and dial with Rolex’s Settimo bracelet.
The platinum version, reference M53506-0002, features an ice-blue grained dial with a matt black alligator leather strap.
The Settimo bracelet uses seven small, slightly contoured elements per link and is fitted with a concealed Crownclasp, while the alligator straps feature a green calfskin lining, tone-on-tone stitching and a Dualclasp double-folding clasp.
At the centre of the watch is calibre 7190, an automatic movement developed and manufactured by Rolex and exclusive to the Perpetual Padellone.
It operates at 36,000 beats per hour, or 5 Hz, and provides approximately 66 hours of power reserve.
The calendar mechanism introduces the new Haplos system, consisting of an additional carrier finger and an annual lever added to the instantaneous date mechanism.
The programming that distinguishes between 30-day and 31-day months is incorporated into the reverse side of the month disc, allowing the annual lever to respond to the current month. This enables the date, day and month to change instantaneously at midnight.
Calibre 7190 also incorporates Rolex’s Dynapulse escapement, a silicon sequential-distribution system designed for energy efficiency and resistance to strong magnetic fields.
The movement uses a Syloxi silicon hairspring, with thicker coils in this calibre to provide the rigidity required for its 5 Hz operating frequency.
Its oscillator combines a ceramic balance staff with an optimised brass balance wheel and Paraflex shock absorbers, while regulation is handled by two gold Microstella nuts. The movement contains 35 jewels.
The transparent case back also reveals the movement’s finishing, including the Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges and the cut-out yellow-gold oscillating weight.
The decoration differs from traditional Côtes de Genève through the polished groove separating each band.
The Perpetual Padellone carries Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification. Since 2026, the certification has incorporated additional criteria covering resistance to magnetism, reliability and sustainability alongside the existing requirements for precision, waterproofness, self-winding and autonomy.
After casing, the finished watch must meet Rolex’s stated precision range of −2/+2 seconds per day. Each watch is supplied with an international five-year guarantee.
The Rolex Perpetual Padellone Reference M53505-0002 in 18 ct Everose gold with a matt brown alligator leather strap is priced at €58,300. Reference M53505-0003 featuring the Settimo bracelet is priced at €71,900.
The platinum reference M53506-0002 with matt black alligator leather strap retails at €65,500. rolex.com
