The invention of the Perpetual Rotor was an unimaginable breakthrough at the time. In the space of about two decades, from the first wristwatch certified as a chronometer in 1910 to the launch of the first waterproof Oyster in 1926 and then the modern automatic watch in 1931, Rolex and its founder Hans Wilsdorf revolutionized watchmaking three times, proving that watches could be equally precise, robust, waterproof and “perpetual.” The Perpetual Rotor improved the precision and waterproofness of watches while making them more comfortable to wear, further perfecting the concept of the Oyster watch.
Perpetual RotorRolex/Christophe Lauffenburger
Perpetual Rotor Autonomous Perpetual Rotor
The Perpetual Rotor is an essential component of every Oyster watch and a classic Rolex design that celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2011, marking an important milestone in the history of modern watchmaking. Invented by Rolex in 1931, this automatic winding system can obtain energy with the slightest wrist movement, injecting power into the movement so the watch can keep moving. In addition, this device allows the wearer to establish a direct connection with the watch. Who sells the best replica watches?
When the watchmaker opens the Oyster case, he first sees the Perpetual Rotor. This half-moon-shaped automatic rotor rotates freely around the central axis wheel. This automatic winding device will be hidden or revealed intermittently as the rotor spins, giving people a glimpse of the famous automatic return wheel, whose unique red design contrasts with other golden gears. On the automatic rotor of the chronograph movement, the watchmaker can also see the capital name of the watch model, such as the red “DAYTONA” and the blue “YACHT-MASTER II.” The shapes and colors are harmoniously coordinated, and the finishing quality is impeccable. Even hidden in the watch case, this device still shows the brand’s iconic characteristics and is elegant and charming.
A revolution in watchmaking
A close look at the clean lines of this rotor reminds us of the milestones that Rolex has set in the past eight decades of watchmaking history. Invented in 1931, this famous device powered the movements of self-winding watches and revolutionized the watchmaking industry. This innovative design, installed in the automatic winding mechanism of modern fake watches, has won the reputation of being a technical model, a masterpiece of ingenuity, and many other titles.
Energy from the wearer
The ingenious operating principle of the Perpetual rotor has remained unchanged throughout its evolution and improvement. With the slightest movement of the wrist, the half-moon-shaped rotor rotates freely and quietly around an axis driven by the earth’s gravity. When the watch is worn, the mainspring stores and “permanently” releases the energy required to operate the mechanical movement. To increase efficiency, the red automatic rewinding wheel can be wound in any direction of rotation, and this device, which came into being in 1959, has become a distinctive feature of the Perpetual rotor.
Once the spring reaches maximum tension, the entire chronograph clutch stops the winding to prevent the spring from being damaged by overwinding. When the watch is not worn, the thoroughly wound spring provides a power reserve of two days or up to 72 hours in the Cosmograph Daytona, Sky-Dweller, and Yacht-Master II models.
Precision and comfort
The Perpetual rotor offers two significant benefits to the wearer:
- The watch does not need to be wound manually frequently.
- The automatic winding system continuously winds the spring, ensuring the watch’s regulating device is more precise and regular.
In addition to these three benefits, there is a more abstract and emotional advantage: owning a watch that runs like magic every second, day and night, allows the wearer to establish a permanent and inseparable relationship with his timepiece.
Perpetual rotorRolex/Christophe Lauffenburger
The Oyster watch is made with the same care and attention.
The invention of the Perpetual rotor was an unimaginable breakthrough at the time. In the space of about two decades, from the first watch certified as a chronometer in 1910 to the launch of the first waterproof Oyster watch in 1926 and then the modern automatic watch in 1931, Rolex and its founder Hans Wilsdorf revolutionized watchmaking three times, proving that watches could be equally precise, robust, waterproof and “perpetual.” The Perpetual rotor improved the watch’s precision and waterproofness while making it more comfortable to wear, further perfecting the concept of the Oyster watch.
Eternal Pulse
The Perpetual rotor allowed Rolex to successfully solve a problem that had long been of concern to watchmakers. The self-winding pocket watch invented around 1770 by Abraham-Louis Perrelet or Hubert Sarton (experts disagree on who invented it) used a rotor system with an automatic weight to capture energy generated by the wearer’s movements to wind the pocket watch. However, the wearer’s movements had little effect on the operation of the pocket watch. A system using alternating movements to improve the winding efficiency was developed. In one system, the rotor’s path is limited by its stops when it hits and rebounds, enhancing the back-and-forth action.
British watchmaker John Harwood first used this system in a wristwatch in 1924. Although this system can be used in pocket watches, it is unsuitable for wristwatches because the winding action based on the segmented stop is too rough. However, the founder of Rolex came up with an ingenious solution. He asked the technical team to add an automatic winding system to the watch, which was equipped with a rotor that could rotate 360 degrees freely without vibration, and he thought this design was more suitable for wristwatches. After years of research and development, Rolex gradually achieved results in terms of reliability and efficiency and finally produced the perfect Perpetual Rotor in 1931.
A symbol of unparalleled excellence
This achievement can be said to have fulfilled all wishes: the Perpetual Rotor was an unprecedented success and symbolized watchmaking excellence. This patented automatic winding system remained a Rolex design until 1948, making the brand famous when combined with the Oyster case. When the patent period expired, the design was widely used by the public, and the entire watchmaking industry adopted it and quickly spread it within the industry. The Perpetual Rotor connects the wearer to the pulse of the Oyster watch with every move. This device has been developing exceptionally well for over 80 years and is believed to continue to work reliably in the future.
Perpetual Rotor Rolex/Jean-Daniel Meyer
Technology and production
Whether a rotor can fully exert its winding kinetic energy depends on several factors. First of all, the automatic rotor must be as heavy as possible. To achieve this, Rolex generally uses a particularly dense tungsten alloy, which ensures that the rotor, despite its small size, still exhibits excellent dynamic performance. Then, the center of gravity of the rotor must be as close to the edge as possible, and the movement or the case must not hinder its operation. Finally, the watch must be wound as quickly as possible but not too much because for active wearers such as athletes, their movements will cause the entire chronograph clutch wheel that prevents the mainspring from overwinding to move too much. The difference between the amount of activity of a jogger and that of a wearer who sits at a desk all day can be 300 times, which shows that it is essential to maintain a delicate balance of winding activities so that the winding mechanism can operate reliably in all conditions.
Biel: Production and Assembly
The Biel manufacturing site is responsible for the production and assembly of the various components of the automatic winding system. Each element is first shaped, processed, checked, monitored, and verified. In Biel and throughout the company, every detail is significant, and the studios are based on the pursuit of perfection and meticulousness. For example, the two aluminum anodized automatic rewinding wheels are carefully matched in the same bright red hue. Next comes the assembly of the various components of the winding system, which are carefully monitored to limit the axial play (the clearance between the end of the moving part and the bearing or jewel surface) to between 15 and 45 micrometers. This mechanical process is carried out under the supervision of a trained operator, who can visually detect deviations. Experience and expertise are also essential when lubricating the winding mechanism. This incredibly delicate process uses a tiny needle and is monitored by a worker at the machine. In another workshop, technicians assemble the automatic weight and connect it to the winding mechanism. After many operations, the rotor is finally completed. Finally, the mechanism is checked for free rotation and flawless appearance.
Geneva: Case assembly and final control
The rotor is then transported from Biel to the Acacias Manufacture in Geneva. There, the watch undergoes the last few assembly steps. First, the rotor is fitted to the movement in the case. Next, the mechanism is checked for free rotation, and the bottom cover is screwed on. Afterwards, the now hidden rotor undergoes a cyclotest, a final test of its winding power, which tests its ability to extract and store energy from wrist movements. The watch must be placed on a stand and slowly rotated in both directions for 27 minutes. During this time, the mainspring must be fully wound, ensuring the movement can function normally for at least 6 hours.
Series: Oyster Perpetual
Case Size: 36mm
Model: m126000-0008
Band Color: Silver-tone
Case Color: Silver-tone
Gender: Unisex
Brand: Rolex