In a few weeks for the 2025 watches and wonders, we saw a leak related to the new Rolex Watch called The Land-deller. This idea has munched people. Here was a watch with a strange name and familiar case. But was it real? After midnight on April 1st, we learned that the land residents were not only authentic, but also an appropriate collection of watches. We saw them in Geneva and today I share some direct impressions.
Rolex continues to master the art of giving people some of what they want, but never exactly what they expect. Let’s face it. Many have been asking for the GMT Master II with a ceramic “Cola” bezel, but it is not available yet. Instead, the most powerful watch brands on the planet have brought watch mixing. Frankly, I thought it was one of the better years in recent memory. Of course, the biggest news was the collection of local residents. Rolex has re-entered the integrated brassilet market with a fusion of reissuance and innovation. Now that Harabalu has quieted down, let’s discuss the collection.
A storm after calming down
For those who have never attended a show like Basel, Watches or Wonder, it is important to understand the strange phenomenon. In Basel, even Rolex’s hatred casually hanged out near the brand’s booth, waiting for the shutters to rise on the first day to reveal the novelty. But now, Rolex is back and laughing as it effectively reveals its clock a minute before the opening day. Then someone like me can write brand new collections like the land residents. Yes, the entire Watch Media Collective arrives on the first day of the show.
Know this – the collection of land residents was big news on the Palexpo floor. Everyone was talking about the clock. The comprehensive feedback was positive, but few people liked the standard format dialing. However, the movement received overwhelming praise for those who were concerned about its importance. About 10 and a half hours after the embargo broke, the clock had to be dismantled. This is my opinion.
Processing some parts of the Land Resident Collection
We are grateful that Rolex has allowed our entire team to attend meetings with watches and wonders. In the past, two or three members were allowed, but it was a bit lively. This year we met in a big room and the good people on Rolex passed most novelties. I say “mostly” because three land resident models are available to us. Three representatives were the 40mm steel reference, a 40mm platinum model and a 36mm everrose piece with a diamond. The three examples I saw are not my choice, but the sampler provided a good feel to the model line.
First impression
Again, you can hate Rolex and its watches, but it becomes practical with brand new models and enters one sense of disorder. In other words, brands create one hell of watches. From the moment I embraced the new land residents, it was abundantly clear that the clocks were beautifully made. For large producers, Rolex really knows how to finish a watch. Unlike traditional oyster-covered clocks, all land residents are about finishes.
Oddly, Rolex made little mention of the old Oysterquartz or date 1530/1630, which used almost identical cases. As Oysterquartz owner, it plagued me, but I was able to look at the latest Rolex collection and compare them. The new land resident case is full of chamfers, angles and surface finishes. It all runs precisely in that Rolex way, with a soft, sharp edge intentionally feeling. Comparing them to older pieces, the latest watches feel thin and more expensive, like jewels. Next is the bracelet.
I’ve said this many times, but I’ll repeat it. No one produces a bracelet like a Rolex. Supply, finishing (again) and hidden (inner and outer) clasps vary at remotes in this price range. Other brands that claim to compete can’t master the creation of accessories that are more comfortable. Yes, land residents are a return to the integrated bracelet market, but all Rolex should be considered in this genre. why? If the bracelet is as good as an oyster, jubilee, or president, it is rarely removed for the strap.
Important details
According to my summary above, the land resident dial caught many flaks. The honeycomb motif engraved on the laser got decent approval, but the opens 6 and 9 felt big on the dial. Most of us wanted more batons for just the date. But now, two weeks have passed, and I’ve warmed my appearance. Do you want to choose the current dial over a simpler variant? Probably not, but not offensive. Other small details, such as the honeycomb-shaped counterweight on the second hand, are modern and somewhat exciting for usually conservative brands.
The 7135 caliber is great
Again, hatred had little room for complaints about the movements of the land residents. The new 7135 may be a tweaked 7140, but the difference is monumental. Silicone hairsprings, ceramic balance staff and new Dynapulse escapement make this a force to consider. Did you mention that the clock is a high beat with a frequency of 36,000 VPH and has a 66-hour power reserve? During our meeting, after reviewing the nature escape, Rolex unveiled his humble bragging of increasing frequency to make the watch even more accurate. It was also said that the caliber has been in development for most of the decade. Finally, it looks great through the display case.
Perfect for your wrist as expected
With a thickness of just 9.7mm, the land residents lovely on the wrist. The flat jubilee bracelet is completely draped and the clasp is not noticeable. Regarding this case, I feel it is expensive to blend into the wrist and is completely polished. Oddly, I wasn’t the only one who said this. The Everrose model features its diamond bezel and baguette cut diamond index, which felt the most subtle! The grooved white gold or platinum bezel shines, while non-diamond dials are bold in the light.
As for size, the 40mm version fits a bit on my wrist. We found that everyone else on the team with larger wrists was perfect. To me, the small model really felt like a 36mm Rolex. All the watches felt quite a bit like that, but the Platinum model felt like it could hold a small boat in place during the squall.
Some Niggles
I mentioned the “ok” sentiment about the dialing of the land residents, but were there any other concerns? Honestly, I don’t like the model name. I think Rolex wanted to distinguish these pieces from the usual dating just line. However, “Land Resident” feels like a long title that doesn’t often say. Moreover, like most other Rolex watches named Submariner and Sea-Dweller, this watch is perfectly suited for non-land use thanks to its 100m water resistance rating.
I also think this watch platform is perfectly suited to two-tone and yellow gold models, but they will probably come in the future. Finally, you’ll need a dark dial option without Rolex changing the texture or design. The black and dark blue are lovely.
The importance of the land residents
Interestingly, Rolex has given away the integrated bracelet market for over 20 years. Perhaps the charm has become so strong that it was impossible to ignore. Or perhaps the company wanted to wait for the new 7140 movement to reach industrialisation. We never know, but the final product is a seriously impressive product if it is designed to suit your taste. Cross-shopping Royal Oak and Nautilus with Royrex would have sounded strange up until now (at least to me). Along with land residents, Rolex currently has a genuine competitor with a movement that does not take prisoners.
Only respect can I send you the rest of the integrated bracelet watches on the market. The lack of availability of these new Rolex models is the only lifeline. Land residents start at CHF 13,300 and I think most people choose Rolex over many other brands at similar price levels. Is this the perfect release? No, but it’s very good and looks even better in the metal.
