Rolex has unveiled a completely new model for 2026: the Rolex Perpetual Padellone, a sophisticated addition to the Perpetual collection combining an annual calendar, moonphase display, and a distinctly vintage-inspired design.
Announced on 15 September 2026, the new Padellone is particularly notable because it draws its name and inspiration from the historic Rolex Ref. 8171, a rare complete-calendar watch from the late 1940s and early 1950s. Rolex describes the new model as a combination of traditional watchmaking and contemporary technical innovation.
For Rolex collectors and London luxury-watch enthusiasts, the Perpetual Padellone is one of Rolex’s notable new 2026 releases.
What Is the Rolex Perpetual Padellone?
The Perpetual Padellone is a new Rolex model featuring a complete annual calendar and moonphase display alongside the hours, minutes, and seconds.
The calendar displays the date, day, and month, while the moonphase indication adds a traditional astronomical complication to the watch. Rolex has also developed an instantaneous-jump calendar mechanism for the new model.
The name “Padellone” comes from the nickname collectors gave to the vintage Rolex Ref. 8171. The Italian word roughly translates as “large frying pan”, referring to the unusually large proportions of the original watch for its era.
The new model therefore combines a historically significant Rolex name with a modern mechanical architecture.
Rolex Perpetual Padellone 2026 Specifications
The new Padellone is offered in precious-metal configurations, including 18 ct Everose gold and 950 platinum. It measures 39 mm, giving it a relatively restrained contemporary case size while retaining the visual character associated with the original Padellone.
| Feature | Rolex Perpetual Padellone 2026 |
|---|---|
| Collection | Perpetual |
| Case Size | 39 mm |
| Case Materials | 18 ct Everose gold or 950 platinum |
| Calendar | Complete annual calendar |
| Displays | Date, day, month, moonphase, hours, minutes, seconds |
| Moonphase | Enamelled disc incorporating meteorite for full and new moons |
| Movement | Rolex Calibre 7190 (5 Hz / 36,000 vph) |
| Calendar Mechanism | Instantaneous-jump Haplos annual calendar system |
| Certification | Superlative Chronometer (2026 updated criteria) |
| Launch Date | 15 September 2026 |
2026 Certification Update: Rolex’s Superlative Chronometer certification has been strengthened in 2026 with additional criteria covering resistance to magnetism, reliability, and sustainability alongside existing performance requirements.
The Vintage Rolex Ref. 8171 Connection
One of the most interesting aspects of the new Padellone is its connection to the Rolex Ref. 8171.
The original Ref. 8171 was produced around the late 1940s and early 1950s and combined a complete calendar with a moonphase display. Italian collectors and dealers later gave the watch the nickname “Padellone”.
The historical reference is particularly important because it represents a very different side of Rolex’s heritage from the modern Submariner, GMT-Master II, and Daytona families.
The new Perpetual Padellone brings that less familiar part of Rolex history into a contemporary collection while introducing a substantially updated movement and modern construction.
A New Annual Calendar Movement
The movement is one of the most important technical elements of the new watch.
The Perpetual Padellone uses Rolex Calibre 7190, operating at a high frequency of 5 Hz (36,000 vph) and incorporating a new annual-calendar mechanism. The mechanism uses the patented Haplos system, which allows the calendar to distinguish between 30-day and 31-day months using just two additional components coupled to the date mechanism.
As a result, the calendar requires manual correction only once a year, at the end of February, under normal operation.
This is an important distinction from a simple date display. An annual calendar automatically accounts for the different lengths of the months with 30 or 31 days, while February remains the only month requiring adjustment.
The Moonphase and Meteorite Detail
The moonphase display gives the Padellone much of its traditional character.
The blue enamelled moonphase disc incorporates meteorite for the representations of the full and new moons. The new moon receives a dark blue PVD treatment, and both moons feature pad-printed human-face details referencing the whimsical character of the original vintage design.
This combination of an astronomical complication, meteorite material, and historical inspiration gives the watch a very different visual identity from Rolex’s better-known professional sports models.
How Much Is the Rolex Perpetual Padellone in the UK?
Current retail launch reporting places the new Perpetual Padellone between approximately £49,150 and £60,700, depending on the material and configuration.
- 18 ct Everose Gold (Leather Strap): ~£49,150 (reported CHF 52,500)
- 950 Platinum (Leather Strap): ~£55,250 (reported CHF 59,000)
- 18 ct Everose Gold (Settimo Bracelet): ~£60,700 (reported CHF 64,800)
The exact price depends on the case material and bracelet configuration. Because Rolex pricing can change and availability may vary by market, prospective buyers should confirm current specifications and UK retail prices directly with Rolex before making a purchase decision.
When Will the Rolex Perpetual Padellone Be Available?
The new watch was unveiled on 15 September 2026, with reporting indicating that it is expected to go on sale in November 2026.
Availability may depend on configuration, market, and allocation. For collectors considering a purchase, the reference, metal, dial configuration, bracelet, and complete set will all be important details to record for future ownership and valuation purposes.
Why the Padellone Matters to Rolex Collectors
The Perpetual Padellone is significant for several reasons:
- It introduces an advanced annual calendar complication into the modern Perpetual collection.
- It revisits one of the rarest and most unusual chapters of Rolex’s historical catalogue.
- It demonstrates that Rolex continues to develop high-complication dress watches outside the professional sports-watch designs for which the brand is most widely recognised.
The watch follows the introduction of the 1908 collection, another modern Rolex line focused strongly on traditional dress-watch design.
For collectors, however, the long-term significance of a new model cannot be established at launch. Desirability and secondary-market performance over time will depend on wider collector interest and production factors.
Factors That Can Affect Secondary-Market Rolex Value
It is too early to determine how the new Padellone will perform in the pre-owned market. For any newly released Rolex, objective factors that can influence secondary-market performance include:
- Specific reference and precious-metal configuration
- Dial variation and visual condition
- Originality and physical state of the case and components
- Presence of the complete box, guarantee card, and factory documentation
- Verifiable service history and provenance
- Global supply, production allocation, and secondary-market demand
Knightsbridge Watches’ existing Rolex Valuation service considers these objective factors when assessing luxury timepieces.
New Rolex Padellone vs. the Vintage Ref. 8171
Although the modern Padellone takes its name and inspiration from the Ref. 8171, the two watches should not be treated as identical references.
The vintage Ref. 8171 belongs to a mid-century period of Rolex history and has its own distinct significance among vintage collectors. The 2026 Perpetual Padellone is a modern Rolex with contemporary movement technology, materials, manufacturing standards, and updated Superlative Chronometer certification.
For owners of vintage Rolex watches, originality and period-correct components have a major influence on collector appeal. Our guide to Rolex Repair and Restoration in London explains why restoration decisions matter when preserving an older Rolex.
How to Protect the Value of a New Rolex Padellone
For owners who acquire the new Padellone, maintaining complete documentation from the beginning is vital:
- Original Rolex presentation box and outer packaging
- Guarantee card and factory paperwork
- Original purchase invoice and receipts
- Service records and official documentation
- Original bracelet, extra links, and supplied accessories
Avoid unnecessary modifications or aggressive cosmetic work, particularly during the early years of ownership. If the watch requires servicing or develops a technical issue, professional assessment should be obtained before any work is authorized.
You can also read our Rolex Service Price List UK Guide for broader information about Rolex servicing and maintenance schedules.
Could You Sell a Rolex Perpetual Padellone in London?
As the Padellone enters the market, owners may eventually want to understand its secondary-market position.
The market standing of any individual watch depends on its exact configuration, physical condition, completeness, authenticity, and prevailing market demand rather than simply its original retail price.
If you own a Rolex Perpetual Padellone or another luxury timepiece and want to understand its market standing, Knightsbridge Watches provides expert assessments. For owners considering a sale, explore our Sell Rolex London service for information about the valuation and selling process.
Final Thoughts
The Rolex Perpetual Padellone 2026 is a distinctive addition to the Rolex catalogue.
It combines a historically important name with a modern annual-calendar movement, moonphase display, precious-metal construction, and contemporary Rolex certification. Its connection to the vintage Ref. 8171 also makes it particularly interesting for collectors who follow the less familiar chapters of Rolex history.
For now, the Padellone stands as a notable new horological release, and its long-term place in the Rolex collector market will develop over time.
Get a Rolex Valuation in London
If you own a Rolex and want to understand its current market position, condition, or potential resale value, Knightsbridge Watches provides professional valuation services in London.
Visit our showroom near Harrods or contact us today to request a Rolex Watch Valuation or learn more about our Sell Rolex London service. For Rolex owners requiring maintenance, our Rolex Repair Consultation provides expert guidance on watch health and restoration.
Detailed specifications and model breakdowns are available via the official Rolex Perpetual Padellone page.
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