Rolex 8171. (Photo credit: Hodinkee)
In a recent patent filing, Rolex appears to be revisiting one of the most storied designs in its history. The document, made public last week and first reported by Nick Gould, describes a triple-calendar mechanism with day and month windows at 12 o’clock and a central date hand, a configuration reminiscent of the brand’s early-1950s models. “Additionally or alternatively,” the patent says, “there can be a moonphase indication, for example.”
From Rolex’s patent published Oct. 16, 2025. (Rolex via USPTO)
This magazine reported in September that Rolex had trademarked the word Padellone, a rare move by the brand to formally claim ownership of a collector’s nickname for the triple-calendar moonphase reference 8171, produced only briefly in the early 1950s.
Last year, Coronet also reported on a Grande Date mechanism patented by Rolex; the year before, a perpetual calendar system. Patent filings are rarely reliable indicators of what’s next at Rolex, but they’re the latest sign the brand is investing in research and development to bring iconic designs into the modern era. A Rolex triple calendar in yellow gold from 1953 sold for more than €4 million at auction earlier this month.
With the 1908 and the Land-Dweller, the brand has introduced two entirely new lines of Classic watches in just two years, a sign of shifting tastes among Rolex buyers. Both have been successful releases, defying typical market trends for value retention in dress pieces. By contrast, Patek Philippe’s dress collections trade at roughly 40 percent below retail.