One of the many reasons I love studying Rolex is the incredible branding efforts they put into promoting their replica watches. And no, I’m not just talking about celebrity endorsements, glossy magazine spreads, or dramatic TV commercials, I’m talking about how Rolex goes the extra mile to brand almost every component of its replica watches. Ceramic bezel? Not just that it’s Cerachrom. Two-tone? Too basic it’s called Rolesor. Rose gold? Try Everose gold instead! One area where Rolex particularly excels at this component-branding exercise is in its bracelets the Oyster, Jubilee, President, and Oysterflex are nearly as iconic among enthusiasts as the replica watches they’re attached to. So when the Crown introduces a brand-new bracelet, especially one as striking as this, you know we’re paying attention. We recently went hands-on with the newly released yellow gold Rolex Perpetual 1908 fitted with the Settimo bracelet, unveiled at Watches & Wonders 2025, and if you want the short version, it’s absolutely fabulous.
The Perpetual 1908 collection made its debut in 2023, designed to finally give Rolex a strong contender in the dress replica watch category, essentially replacing the Cellini line, which never quite captured the same magic. To be fair, the slim, formal Cellini typically fitted with leather straps never stood a real chance parked next to global icons like the Submariner, Daytona, and Day-Date. However, the Perpetual 1908 now seems poised for a breakthrough, especially now that it’s equipped with the beautifully crafted Settimo bracelet.
Vintage catalogs are filled with amazing bracelet designs, and it’s clear that Rolex drew inspiration from those archives when designing the Settimo. It’s a supple, featherlight seven-link bracelet made of small, contoured, and fully polished links. Aesthetically, the 18k yellow gold bracelet catches and reflects light in a dazzling way, giving off an opulent sparkle. Functionally, it wraps around the wrist with ease, thanks to the full articulation of its links. It still has that signature Rolex solidity but carries an elegant, almost delicate presence that feels just right for a dress replica watch. And trust me, it looks sharp on the wrist my colleague Jake wore it for our review and it was hard not to stare.
When the initial press shots surfaced, one detail immediately caused some controversy: the end-links of the bracelet don’t sit perfectly flush against the case. Instead, they curve gracefully to follow the case’s lines, leaving small visible gaps. Admittedly, I wasn’t sure how I felt about that at first either, but seeing it in person, it just works. It reinforces that vintage charm Rolex is clearly aiming for with the Perpetual 1908. Plus, Rolex has even filed a patent for the special system they use to attach the bracelet to the middle case. The bracelet secures with the elegant, concealed Crownclasp.
Aside from the new bracelet, the rest of the yellow gold Perpetual 1908 remains unchanged. The 39mm polished round case features a half-fluted, half-domed bezel and a sapphire crystal on the front and back. The dial carries a minimalist two-hand setup — Breguet-style hour hand, sword-shaped minute hand plus a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. As with the leather strap versions, the bracelet models are available in Intense White or Intense Black satin-finished dials. Ours was the white dial variant (and personally, it’s my favorite), which adds a crisp, slightly larger feel to the replica watch. The Arabic numerals at 3, 9, and 12 o’clock are a nice historical nod to some of Rolex’s earliest Perpetual models.
Another highlight: thanks to the exhibition sapphire caseback, you get a clear view of the Caliber 7140 movement — a rare treat from Rolex, who usually prefer solid casebacks. The movement is adorned with Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges and sports a skeletonized gold rotor finished with a satin brush. Technically, it’s excellent too, offering a 66-hour power reserve along with a Syloxi hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers for extra durability.
Honestly, this replica watch checks all my boxes: yellow gold construction, slim and wearable case that fits smaller wrists like mine, a beautiful visible automatic movement, a clean and legible dial, and now a luxurious jewelry-style bracelet. Beyond the looks, it’s built with the robustness you’d expect from Rolex, feels incredibly comfortable, and, from what I’ve experienced, delivers exceptional mechanical performance. Yes, the $350 USD price tag isn’t pocket change, but compared to other solid gold Rolex replica watches like the Day-Date, it actually feels like a relative bargain. Sure, the Day-Date packs more complications, but if you’re hunting for a solid gold Rolex replica watch that’s pure, elegant, and extremely well-made, the Perpetual 1908 is an absolute winner.