Rolex Skydweller Reference 326934 – Oyster bracelet

History

The Rolex Skydweller was first released in 2012 and was the first new model added to the Rolex range in around 20 years. It certainly was a welcomed addition to fans of larger pieces, boasting a 42mm case size. Unfortunately for most watch enthusiasts and buyers around the world, it was only available in precious metal variants:

White Gold with White Gold bracelet – Reference 326939  

Rose Gold with leather bracelet – Reference 326135

Yellow Gold with Yellow Gold bracelet – Reference 326938

Whilst it boasted some nice dial variants to suit an array of customers from Black, Silver or Chocolate and Champagne options, all of which (in my opinion) looked fantastic, across its respective models – it was the breakthrough in Rolex’ design and watchmaking that was most notable. It was and still is the most complicated movement Rolex have made. It appeared to be its lack of variants though that seemed to hinder its success across the watch world. By no means was it a flop, but (from what I recall) there was not a huge clambering to get hands on with one that’s for sure.

Two years later in 2014 some more variants were added to the range:

Yellow Gold with leather bracelet  – Reference 326138

White Gold with leather bracelet – Reference 326139

Rose Gold with Rose Gold bracelet  – Reference 326935

All a bit of a mixture of previous release variants, the Rolex Skydweller lineup now started to grow nicely. It still didn’t quite get ‘accepted’ by the Rolex community. Quick side note – the Everose Gold 326935 was the best in my opinion. I really wanted the Chocolate Arabic dial, but due to its high price tag, I couldn’t have one unfortunately. Maybe like most people to be fair….

The Introduction of Stainless-Steel

It was another three years before I could start paying serious attention to what the most complicated movement produced by Rolex even meant. In 2017, finally, a stainless steel option was released along with a bi metal option:

Reference 326934- Stainless Steel with White Gold Bezel and Stainless steel Bracelet.

Reference 326933- Stainless Steel with Yellow Gold Bezel and Stainless Steel with Yellow Gold Bracelet. 

Both much more affordable and wearable on a day-to-day basis, but the watch we will be mostly talking about from now on is the Stainless-Steel option. It effectively ‘burst’ onto the scene with everyone I knew or spoke to wanting one. Specifically, the beautiful Blue dial option. It’s easy to see why. awith an RRP of £10,600, and not much more at £11,600 for the bi metal variant. 

It was a possibility that for Rolex, this was the perfect storm (in terms of timing to release the steel option) as this is just about the point when watches started to really go crazy. The Blue dial Steel Sky dweller was certainly a hit. Commanding high premiums on the secondary market, and huge waiting lists at authorised dealers. It was, and arguably still is to this day, one of the most sought after Rolex watches in their production line. 

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Unboxing

So, just a few months later from the 2017 basleworld release, I have a blue one in my hands. It’s sleek and quite heavy, but still very much a Rolex. Extremely well made, sharp but curved edges, the white gold command ring bezel is so perfectly cut it’s razor sharp. The blue sunburst dial seriously pops. The month calendar red rectangle ties with the red triangle for the second time zone. the crisp white date window blends together with the white writing, and white hour markers. I’m in love with this one. 

How do I use it? Literally, I need a YouTube tutorial on how to set a Skydweller and to understand it as we sit in this restaurant trying to complete a deal with the instruction manual missing from the box. 

Learning that the bidirectional/ multifunctional command ring bezel engages each mechanical part to do its individual job is a task in itself. But if you have any form of mechanical interest in watches, this thing is breath taking. Complicated yes, an understatement the first time you use one actually.

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Setting The Watch

There’s a date window, a month calendar and dual time zones to keep you occupied and updated on a day-to-day basis when wearing it. There’s a zero position on the bezel which is all the way right. To do anything we need to first unscrew the crown to its first notch.

Setting the time

We can then twist the entire bezel ring to the first satisfying click to change anything. But to set the time, we need to click the bezel ring to the third or final position or as far left as it will go. This will engage both the hands and the central 24hr disc wheel – and allow you to turn the crown in either direction and set the reference time zone marked by the red triangle at the top of the disc.

Next you can turn the bezel ring one click to the right. This will engage the jumping hour hand, and the seconds hand will continue to work. This will allow you to move the hour hand without stopping the watch, but note the minutes or 24hr disc will now already be set. This enables you to set the local time.

Setting the Date and Month

Now for the date and month. One more click to the right to find position one, and this engages no hands and only the date function and staring lovingly into the window. You can freely flick through dates, taking note of which month the red rectangle is located at. Jan-Dec is represented using the 1-12 hour markers. As you flick through the last day of the month, you will notice the red rectangle jump to the next hour or month position rather. So now it’s all set, you can twist the bezel back to the right again (or to its original zero/neutral position) and can then screw the crown back into the case – ensuring it’s 100M waterproofness and it’s ready to put on. Did I lose anyone there? I best re-read that to make sure it’s right but trust me – It’s simple when you know how. Either way, I’m absolutely over the moon with this piece. Take my money!

However, it does to the eye just look a bit too top heavy – until you realise the oyster bracelet isn’t the same size as the 40mm Rolex range. It’s been widened and lengthened ever so slightly, and just about perfectly to keep its integrity, comfort and brand recognition on the wrist from the first moment you wear it. 

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On The Wrist

It’s tall. Too tall for me unfortunately. Something I only realised after around 6-8 days of wearing one. I just can’t keep it on and remain comfortable. Maybe I’m big softy, but I’m 6’2, 6’3 on a good day and I just can’t wear this one as a full time daily for more than maybe a 7-14 day period. 

I find it uncomfortable. It seems to always catch on cuffs or be a bit ‘in the way’ whilst the case back is soft and rounded. I pointed out earlier how sharp it’s edges are – I find they dig into my wrist too much to have it as my only watch (that is unless it is on an Oysterflex bracelet, which is a topic for another day). As part of a collection or rotation wearing though, I have zero issues with it. It’s stunning. I’m looking forward to putting one back on now writing this. Especially now the sun’s creeping back out from behind a miserable winter in Wimbledon.

If however, you’re here now looking for a Rolex Skydweller and you’ve come across one of ours for sale (whichever dial or material you like) please consider this when purchasing. If you’re an average sized human with average sized wrists (I have 1 link out of a 40mm oyster bracelet) I’m not so sure it will be for you. That is unless you like a big chunky watch of course. Or have large hands and wrists. 

I just wish all the incredible watch making skills could be thinned out and have this much ability in a Rolex 40mm case. Horses for courses…

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Todays Market

Now is a great time to buy though. Prices started falling from a hard to believe secondary market price tag of around £30,000+ in 2022 for a Blue dial. 2025 has seen a much more sensible price point. The lesser desired white dial is incredible value by the way – and seriously underrated. Not to be overlooked, but you shouldn’t struggle to find a used reference 326934 from any year under today’s RRP (for Reference 336934) of £14,150 or a black dial one also just under or at this price point.

Blue dial though, you’re probably still in the £14,000 and above price range (no matter the age you’re happy to buy) but will still be paying a hefty premium for the 336934 in any colours – certainly blue or mint green, or more again for jubilee options. All of which were all released later on, leaving a wonderful choice of options today in the Skydweller line up. 

As always find one preferably unpolished and buy the best possible condition you can afford. Bezel condition is a must. 

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A Final Note

With all that being said – if you have let’s say, £15,000-£16,000 to spend on your next watch, you’re happy to buy a great condition used watch, you’re comfortable with the fact you need a bit of a larger timepiece, and you also love watchmaking as well as usability and functionality, but maybe most of all having something that everyone (in the watch world) wants – The Stainless-steel Rolex Skydweller 326934 blue dial might just be the one for you. 

Until next time….

Adam

Luxury Watches Wimbledon