Rolex Sky-Dweller 336238

About Rolex Sky-Dweller 336238

Rolex launched the Sky-Dweller in 2012, making it one of the Crown's most complicated modern watches at the time. At first, the collection was available only with a leather strap or an Oyster bracelet. Oysterflex joined the lineup in 2020, followed by the dressier 5-link Jubilee bracelet in 2021. The yellow gold Rolex 326238 helped usher in the Oysterflex era, laying the groundwork for the reference 336238 that currently occupies the Rolex catalog. It belongs to the broader 336XXX generation, featuring several dial colors and bracelets, all sharing the same case and movement specifications. In many ways, this collection filled the gap for globetrotting collectors on the hunt for a Rolex GMT with a bit more functionality. As a result, it competes directly with other annual calendar watches in the luxury sports watch category.

Specifications

Materials

The Sky-Dweller 336238 is made entirely in 18k yellow gold, from the case to the bezel. As you would expect, it has an impressive heft on the wrist. To balance things out, Rolex pairs the case with a flexible Oysterflex bracelet, the brand's version of a rubber strap. It features a flexible nickel and titanium metal blade covered in high-performance black elastomer. The 18k yellow gold clasp ties the entire look together while featuring an Oysterclasp with a practical Glidelock extension system to fine-tune the bracelet's fit on the fly. No tools required. Oysterflex is a modern Rolex innovation that helps the gold Sky-Dweller feel more approachable and wearable next to its full-gold counterparts.

Movement

Ref. 336238 is powered by the caliber 9002, which replaced the outgoing caliber 9001 in 2023. Like its predecessor, it also features a Sarros annual calendar that only needs to be adjusted once per year to account for leap years. The month is displayed in an indicator above the corresponding hour marker (for example January is at 1 o'clock) and the date takes its usual place next to 3 o'clock. Furthermore, the movement is COSC-certified and has the same 72-hour power reserve as before.  The main upgrade here is the more efficient Chronergy Escapement.

Bezel

The fluted Ring Command bezel is the Sky-Dweller's most distinctive feature. It functions as a mechanical interface for setting the watch's various complications. Rotating the bezel to different positions activates different modes: local time, the month or the date. This innovation eliminates the need for multiple pushers or crowns. The bezel is made from precious metal, like any other Rolex fluted bezel and is both aesthetically pleasing and functional. In many ways, it represents one of the brand's most ingenuis mechanical designs in recent decades.

Sizes

The Sky-Dweller 336238 measures 42mm in diameter, the standard size for all modern Sky-Dweller references and a dimension Rolex selected to accommodate the complex movement and Ring Command Bezel. It's around 14mm thick, due to the annual calendar mechanism and dual time zone components. It understandably has a substantial profile on the wrist appropriate for a complication watch. The Oysterflex bracelet tapers from the case to the clasp, and the adjustable extension system accommodates wrist sizes from approximately 155mm to 205mm.

Water Resistance

The Sky-Dweller 336238 is water resistant to 100 meters, achieved through the Oyster case architecture with a screw-down case back and screw-down crown. That depth rating is quite standard for dress watches, reflecting the Sky-Dweller's intended use as a sophisticated travel companion rather than a tool watch. The Twinlock crown system, featuring two sealed zones, ensures the case remains watertight when properly screwed down.

Pre-Owned Price

Pre-owned Rolex Sky-Dweller 336238 watches typically trade between $38,000 and $48,000 depending on production year, dial color, condition and included accessories. Prices generally sit 20-30% below current retail pricing. However, specific dial variants like the bright green or bright black configurations may command premiums due to their status as a newer watch and relative scarcity in the pre-owned market. Market values for yellow gold Rolex sports models have shown resilience, with the Sky-Dweller maintaining strong secondary market performance due to its combination of precious metal construction, complex movement, and practical complications.

Expert Opinion

"The Sky-Dweller 336238 makes its annual calendar and dual time zone functions genuinely intuitive through the Ring Command bezel system. The pairing of 18k yellow gold with a black Oysterflex bracelet creates an unexpectedly versatile combination that works equally well with business attire or casual wear."

- Paul Altieri, Founder & CEO of Bob's Watches

Why Choose Bob's Watches

Bob's Watches has specialized in pre-owned Rolex timepieces since 2003. Since then, they’ve built a reputation as a trusted source for authenticated luxury watches in the secondary market. Every Sky-Dweller that enters our inventory undergoes rigorous authentication by our team of certified watchmakers and gemologists. You will receive a genuine, accurately represented Rolex when you shop at Bob's.

Benefits of purchasing your Rolex Sky-Dweller 336238 from Bob's Watches:

• Authenticity Guaranteed: Each watch is verified by certified professionals using specialized equipment and decades of combined expertise
• Detailed Condition Reports: Comprehensive photography and condition descriptions let you make informed decisions with confidence
• Trade-In Program: We accept your current luxury watches as trade-in credit toward your Sky-Dweller purchase

Sell Your Pre-Owned Rolex

If you're looking to sell my Rolex timepiece (or another high-end watch) Bob’s Watches makes the process simple. You can start with a free quote based on where the market is right now. Once your watch arrives, our team moves quickly and keeps you informed, with most sellers paid within about 24 hours. Funds are sent by bank wire, check or applied as trade-in credit if you have your eye on another watch in our collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Reference 336238 specifically denotes Sky-Dweller models crafted in 18k yellow gold with an Oysterflex bracelet, distinguishing it from white gold, Everose gold, or steel variants. The final digits of the reference number indicate the specific dial color, with 336238-0002 featuring a black dial, 336238-0003 a white dial, and 336238-0004 a bright green dial.The Ring Command bezel rotates to select which function you want to adjust: position one for month and date setting, position two for local time, and position three for home time (GMT hand). Once the bezel is in the desired position, you pull out the crown and turn it to make the adjustment, then return everything to the normal position. No. An annual calendar keeps track of most of the months on its own. You only need to step in once a year, at the end of February. It's much more convenient than a basic time-and-date watch that needs to be reset far more oftenThe Sky-Dweller doesn't have a GMT hand, per se. Rather, it features a 24-hour disc at the center of the dial for an additional time zone/home time. The centrally-mounted jumping hour hand displays local time and can be set in one-hour increments without stopping the watch. This configuration allows you to track two time zones simultaneously while traveling by simply moving the local hour hand.Rolex recommends servicing the Sky-Dweller approximately every 10 years under normal wear and tear. Watches exposed to extreme conditions or showing signs of performance degradation may require more frequent attention.While the 100-meter water resistance rating technically allows for swimming and showering, Rolex recommends avoiding hot water exposure which can affect gasket seals and potentially compromise water resistance over time. The Oysterflex bracelet performs well in water and dries quickly, but you should ensure the crown is fully screwed down before any water exposure.The Caliber 9002 movement provides approximately 72 hours of power reserve when fully wound. The watch will continue running for three days if removed from your wrist. This extended reserve is useful for travelers who may not wear the watch every day or who own multiple timepieces in rotation.