Tapper’s Jewelry is rich in heritage and an unwavering commitment to excellence, and we are proud to be a family-run business serving the metro-Detroit community. Tapper’s is part of the official network of Rolex Jewelers with three Rolex showrooms across West Bloomfield at Orchard Mall, Somerset Collection in Troy, and our first freestanding location in Novi. Your journey with Rolex begins here.

From the 18 karat yellow or white gold case to the faceted hour markers against an intense white or intense black dial, every detail speaks to the brand's visionary design. With roots tracing back to the Oyster Perpetual watches of 1931, this timepiece effortlessly bridges the past and the present, embodying a sleek design that resonates with modernity.

Immerse yourself in the rich heritage and innovation that defines Rolex's age-long spirit with Tapper’s.

Cutting-edge classicism

Elegant, classic and decidedly contemporary, the Perpetual 1908 immortalizes Rolex’s age-long daring spirit. Heir to the brand’s aesthetic heritage as much as to its numerous innovations in watchmaking, the watch marks a new milestone in the brand’s pursuit of excellence. This fine example of Rolex’s watchmaking prowess, with Superlative Chronometer certification, brings classicism to the future.
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Since the brand’s creation in 1908, Rolex has pursued the fundamental conviction of its founder, Hans Wilsdorf, for whom the future of the wristwatch was inseparable from superlative performance. The 1908 combines all the essential attributes of a self-winding wristwatch according to him: chronometric precision, waterproofness, autonomy, comfort and durability.

Rolex 1908 with gold case looking at transparent backing showing the movement
Rolex 1908 gold case with black leather strap sitting side profile on a wooden block.
Classic style, perpetually reinvented

While Hans Wilsdorf’s revolutionary innovations concerned the technical features of the wristwatch, they were also the fruit of an extremely strong aesthetic vision. The silhouette of the case in 18 kt. yellow or white gold, as well as the design of the 1908’s dial, reinvent the classic – yet very modern – spirit of the original Oyster Perpetual watches. An aesthetic signature, its finely domed and fluted bezel is testimony to a quest for delicacy in all of its forms.

A sleekdesign linking the past to the present

With its 3, 9 and 12 Arabic numerals and its small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, the 1908 watch revisits the style of an Oyster Perpetual from 1931 and resolutely endows it with modernity. The dial is a model of elegance and sophistication: faceted hour markers and numerals in 18 kt. gold against an intense white or intense black dial. Protected by a domed sapphire crystal, it features a delicate ‘railway’ minute track around the circumference. The 1908 is equipped with hands of distinctive styles: the minute hand is shaped like a two-edged sword, while a hand with a pierced circle marks the hours.

Rolex 1908 perpetual white gold case with black dial and white gold accents.
Rolex 1908 with white gold case shown on it's side with the black leather strap closed forming a circle. Watch has a light shining on it from the left site and is sitting on a blue background.
A transparent case back for an exciting reveal

By offering a watch that reveals its movement through a transparent case back, Rolex continues to innovate whilst echoing its watchmaking tradition. Caliber 7140 bears a cut-out oscillating weight in 18 kt. yellow gold with three arms, engraved with the words ‘Chronometer Perpetual’ and benefiting from an optimized ball bearing. The movement boasts some remarkable finishes including the exclusive Rolex Côtes de Genève – a celebrated traditional watch decoration, reinterpreted with a polished groove between each band. The window, made of virtually scratchproof sapphire, provides proof that, for Rolex, the aesthetics of the movement are as important as its performance.

Caliber 7140: performance and elegance

To power the 1908, Rolex’s watchmaking engineers have developed caliber 7140, a completely new self-winding movement that allows the time to be displayed via two central hands and a small seconds hand at 6 o’clock. Five patents have been filed for this movement, which has been entirely developed and manufactured in-house. Its cutting-edge design incorporates some major innovations from the Manufacture to guarantee exceptional performance, including the Syloxi hairspring in silicon, Chronergy escapement in a nickel-phosphorus alloy – both of which are resistant to strong magnetic fields – and Paraflex shock absorbers, which protect the oscillator and escape wheel from any shocks to the watch.

Close up of the movement of the Rolex 1908 watch. Showing the detail of the Syloxi hairspring silicon.

Visit Tapper's Jewelry to discover first-hand the Perpetual 1908

As an official Rolex Jeweler with over 45 years of expertise, visit Tapper’s to discover the Perpetual 1908. Immerse yourself in an unparalleled luxury experience as you explore the transparent case back, revealing the intricate movement and craftsmanship that makes Rolex a symbol of timeless elegance. Trust our team's necessary skills and technical know-how to guide you in making a choice that will last a lifetime.

At Tapper’s, we take pride in being a part of Rolex's enduring legacy. As your local jeweler, we are committed to providing you with a personalized and unmatched luxury experience. Visit our Rolex boutiques in West Bloomfield at Orchard Mall, Somerset Collection in Troy, and Novi to explore the Perpetual 1908 firsthand and embark on your Rolex journey, where tradition meets innovation, and every timepiece tells a story.
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Rolex logo in yellow gold with crown image sitting above block ROLEX text on a wall with beige trapezoid tile