Is Ultra-Precise Mechanical Watchmaking Still Relevant Today?

Six decades ago, before inexpensive and highly accurate Japanese quartz watches nearly dismantled the Swiss watch industry, the primary purpose of mechanical wristwatches was to deliver consistent and reliable timekeeping.

Elizabeth Doerr, a watch expert based in Karlsruhe, Germany, notes that in the current era — often called the mechanical renaissance — precision has become less central. ‘‘Mechanical watches are sufficiently accurate for most users. If you need greater accuracy, a quartz watch is the better choice,’’ she explains.

Despite this, Rolex remains a leading figure in the watch industry’s push to keep precision-driven mechanical timepieces relevant, even in a world where such exactness is no longer a necessity. In 2024, Rolex’s sales were estimated at 10.6 billion Swiss francs (approximately $12.9 billion), accounting for nearly a third of all Swiss watch sales.

At the Watches and Wonders Geneva fair on April 1, the company unveiled its first new model in over a decade: the Land-Dweller. The watch quickly became a highlight of the event, capturing attention before global trade tensions shifted focus.

While much of the discussion centered on the Land-Dweller’s sleek design and integrated bracelet, industry insiders were most intrigued by its innovative mechanical movement. The centerpiece is the new Dynapulse escapement — the mechanism that regulates the release of energy from the mainspring to the watch hands.

Praised for its enhanced energy efficiency and improved shock resistance, the Dynapulse escapement is considered more durable and longer-lasting than the traditional Swiss lever escapement, which has been the industry standard for over 200 years. This advancement has garnered admiration among technical aficionados of watchmaking.