This week, Rolex surprise-launched a new watch: The Perpetual Padellone. With a distinctive neoclassical aesthetic, it’s the perfect style companion to the traditional elegance embodied by Michael Bublé, a Rolex ambassador (the brand calls them “Testimonees”) of 20 years. Esquire has secured the world exclusive for the story and image of this unprecedented combination of a great singer and an innovative timepiece. Presented at Milan’s Palazzo Serbelloni with a gala dinner for top Rolex retailers from around the world, the new watch was celebrated with a special concert by Bublé.
There’s good reason for the celebratory mood: the Perpetual Padellone is inspired by a historical Rolex model from 1949, the ref. 8171, which is a cult favorite of collectors and the subject of million-dollar auctions. The new model, an addition to the Perpetual collection (which also includes the 1908), was eagerly awaited by enthusiasts of horological complications.
That’s because the Perpetual Padellone—the name comes from the “frying pan” shape and the then-large 38mm case of the original—is a complete instantaneous annual calendar. You can track hours, minutes, and seconds, of course. But you can also keep an eye on the date (indicated by the blue hand with the half-moon tip), day of the week, month, and even moon phase with a disc featuring meteorite moons placed at 6 o’clock.
The contemporary Perpetual Padellone is a millimetre larger than the historical version, at 39mm in diameter. But it’s excellently balanced, with a thickness of just 12.2mm. There are three models. Two are in 18-karat Everose gold with a white grained dial, the only difference between them being the choice of a brown alligator strap or an Everose Settimo bracelet. The third comes in platinum, with an ice-blue grained dial and a black alligator strap. The transparent case back offers a view of the Rolex manufacture caliber 7190, a bidirectional self-winding mechanical movement with 30 patents.
Michael Bublé photos:
Photographed by Lorenzo Bringheli @lorenzobringheli
Styled by Nick Sullivan @nicksullivanesq
Production by 2DM Production @2dmproduction
