I spent a couple of hours digging into Rolex's latest patent filing (EP4632499A1, published 15 Oct 2025). They've designed an instant-jump calendar mechanism that could be annual or perpetual. The drawings show annual, but they're claiming protection for perpetual variants. Full technical breakdown with all the diagrams.
Terrific article! My God, the ingenuity, the thinking, the puzzle-solving and 3am hair-tearing that must have gone into the development of this tiny grouping of gears and springs! I can't help but harbor two simultaneous thoughts in response: first, this is just incredible and I admire it tremendously, not to mention I love to read about it; but second, well, um, why? Why do we need yet another variation on the calendar mechanism? The cynical answer, of course, is "because it will sell--in fact, it will very quickly become the sort of watch that requires many tens of thousands of bucks of prior purchases before you get an allocation." But I hate being that cynical: is there a loftier reason? A celebration of human ingenuity, human creativity? Perhaps--but it's very interesting, isn't it, that all that ingenuity and effort is dedicated to something that was rendered technically obsolete about 50 years ago? (Please note: this is NOT to slag the effort, which is fabulous. It's just, well, a fascinating thing to think about, at least for quirky nutcases like me.)
Having an extremely rudimentary and limited understanding of horological engineering, I found your post fascinating. I especially appreciated the link to patent law and the possible implications for future applications.
The Calendar-Dweller? Day-Date-Month?
Perpetual Oyster?
😂😂😂
"Time Dweller"
This is so good you better trademark it before Rolex nabs it 😂
ten'll get you twenty it's already too late 😃
Fascinating. Based on the layout of the calendar, and the recent TM, I think that Rolex is revisiting the Padellone.
I’d agree! In the 1908 case. Wouldn’t be a penny under 70k I’m sure 😬
Not just the date, my friend
Terrific article! My God, the ingenuity, the thinking, the puzzle-solving and 3am hair-tearing that must have gone into the development of this tiny grouping of gears and springs! I can't help but harbor two simultaneous thoughts in response: first, this is just incredible and I admire it tremendously, not to mention I love to read about it; but second, well, um, why? Why do we need yet another variation on the calendar mechanism? The cynical answer, of course, is "because it will sell--in fact, it will very quickly become the sort of watch that requires many tens of thousands of bucks of prior purchases before you get an allocation." But I hate being that cynical: is there a loftier reason? A celebration of human ingenuity, human creativity? Perhaps--but it's very interesting, isn't it, that all that ingenuity and effort is dedicated to something that was rendered technically obsolete about 50 years ago? (Please note: this is NOT to slag the effort, which is fabulous. It's just, well, a fascinating thing to think about, at least for quirky nutcases like me.)
Love it! This is better than another discussion about the fear train
Thanks for reading... fear train? What fear train? 😂
Gear not fear
I genuinely thought you were talking about the 'market fearmongering' 😂 Apologies.
Love being educated on the technical stuff. Thanks for the write up for us plebs.
Thanks for reading!
Properly nerdy article, well done sir 🫡
I love the technical stuff! Thanks for sharing this information.
Having an extremely rudimentary and limited understanding of horological engineering, I found your post fascinating. I especially appreciated the link to patent law and the possible implications for future applications.
I enjoy these types of post. Please keep them coming!