Because of the bloated real-world price tags we expect, or, should that be, we’re expected to pay for Rolex watches these days, the Rolex Sky-Dweller, positioned as it is as one of the prestigious brand’s most prestigious replica watches UK, seems completely, totally, and utterly out of reach.
It is almost unfathomable that the starting MSRP for a Sky-Dweller — a watch packed with some of the most impressive watchmaking technology Rolex can ever say to have been responsible for — is $15,900.
Granted, that’s hardly chump change, but consider this: A modern Rolex Datejust in Oystersteel and white gold (the same materials as the entry-level Sky-Dweller), with a similarly black dial and a comparable case size (41mm versus the Sky-Dweller’s 42) retails for $10,500. That’s a difference of just $5,400 between what many would regard as the most basic fluted-bezel Rolex and the most complicated. When I realized that, I have to admit: For the first time in my life, I considered buying a Sky-Dweller.
Now, it’s fair enough to say that there is more to watch buying than simple value propositions. The aesthetics of rolex replica watches actually matter more to me than its horological importance, despite my background as a watchmaker. For me, the Datejust (especially the Datejust 36) is an unbeatable classic — the very epitome of the luxury watch. However, the Sky-Dweller, which always seemed to me to be unsuccessfully piggy-backing on the DJ’s charm is starting to win me over, looks-wise as well as because of its technical chops.
Let’s get the aesthetics out of the way first because there is nothing outside of the Rolex Cellini range bar perhaps the Yacht-Master II that can hold a candle to the mechanics of the Sky-Dweller.
I have come to understand that I was looking at the Sky-Dweller backward. Not in a literal sense, but in the sense that I was looking at it as an extension of something of which it was not an extension. This was not a “Datejust Sky-Dweller”. Yes, it featured many of the things one associate with a modern Datejust, but it was, right out the gate, its own thing. I didn’t appreciate that. I didn’t respect it enough. And, as a result, the watch missed the mark for me. Looking back on it now, however, it would be fairer to say that my mark missed the watch…
I’m reappraising the Sky-Dweller because I’ve recently been able to spend more time with the high quality fake Rolex watches and truly appreciate how well the dial, which I initially mistook for being busy, is actually a masterpiece of information balance and legibility. Not only is this a dual time zone watch (as Rolex’s GMT-Master II and Explorer II series can both claim to be), but this is also an annual calendar. That’s right, an annual calendar. That means it only needs to be adjusted once per year at the end of February rather than every month that fails to contain 31 days.
Fair question. Remember that little red square I had missed upon my first examination of the piece? It turns out that the red marker indicates which month we’re in, because (and I don’t know if you realized this but) not only are there 12 hours displayed on the dial of most watches but also there are 12 months in a year.
Now we’re heading in the direction for which I would advocate. I love a bit of Rolesor (that’s what Rolex calls yellow gold and steel Swiss Rolex clone watches) as I’m sure my recent articles have made clear. This watch looks a cut above the crisp steel case, and, for just $175 more (yes, that’s right, $175), it can be yours.
The $21,950 for this new and in-stock watch is a bit of a head-scratcher. This watch would retail for $19,500 in normal conditions so we’re looking at a premium of around 10%. Of course, in the old days, we would always expect to achieve at least a 10% difference from the ticket price but in the other direction. Those days are gone. In 2023, this piece is what’s known as a bargain.
I guess it must be a sign of my good taste that I’ve ended up selecting the most expensive Sky-Dweller under 25K as my number one pick, but, honestly, it could have been either of the top two when all is said and done.
I went for the champagne dial execution simply because I still desire a champagne dial Datejust as I have done for years, and while I’m finally able to mentally differentiate the two AAA+ Rolex copy watches families, if I were to buy a Rolex tomorrow, and it happened to be a Sky-Dweller, I might be tempted to get the champagne dial in an attempt to scratch two itches at once.
This watch has a ticket price of $24,750. At almost $5,000 over its MSRP, it demands the second largest relative premium after the pick languishing down in the fifth position. For me, though, this is one heck of the beautiful fake watches that are fully equipped with everything you could ask for from a one watch collection. It has style, it has timelessness, it is from a major heritage brand, it boasts serious horology, and its build quality is robust enough to stand up to the rigors of daily life. High praise, but praise well-earned.
