Smart lights are a worthy investment and easy to install, but choosing the right bulbs requires planning. Here’s what you need to know before converting your home to smart lights.
SUCCESS
Ask It for Organizational Leaders—From the Vault
Our biggest regrets often start with unwise, not necessarily immoral, decisions. In this episode from 2014, Andy Stanley introduces a deceptively simple question that can revolutionize decision-making. You’ll learn 3 angles for applying it to your life and leadership so you can avoid costly missteps and move toward your personal and professional goals.
Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast: August 2025 | Ask It for Organizational Leaders—From the Vault
The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast is one of Forbes’ 6 Leadership Podcasts To Listen To In 2024 and one of the Best Leadership Podcasts To Stay in the Know for CEOs, according to Industry Leader Magazine.
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CNET Survey Finds Adults Spend $3,000 a Year on Takeout and Restaurants. Meal Kits Could Be a Cheaper Option
We’re also wasting nearly $1,500 annually on groceries that aren’t cooked or eaten.
Best Weight Loss Programs for 2025
To find the best weight loss program for you, we researched and taste-tasted different services while considering price, taste and more.
Celebrate the Leo Season With Bold Gold and Dazzling Pieces to Shine Like the Sun
Leo season is upon us. That means drama, dazzle, and a healthy dose of unapologetic boldness. Born under the sign ruled by the sun, Leos know how to shine—and they expect their jewellery to do the same. From bold gold accents to star-powered motifs, these are the pieces that command a look.
Whether you’re looking to gift that special lion-hearted someone in your life or treat yourself to something precious, these are the pieces to channel main-character energy all month (and year) long.
Put A Ring On Your Reign
Commanding attention starts with the hands—after all, they lead the gestures, hold the martinis, and accept the bouquets. This August, say it with rings that channel celestial confidence and unapologetic drama. Chanel’s Lion Solaire pays tribute to the zodiac’s fiercest feline in a design that balances power and poise, while Cartier’s Pluie de Cartier conjures a constellation of diamonds bursting like stardust. These are the pieces to crown your dominion—wear them with your stack or solo for a bold declaration.
Neckline Majesty
If there’s anything about Leos, they know how to make an entrance. And the neckline is where the story begins. With a delicate nod to destiny, Curious Creatures’s Constellation pendant adds just enough mysticism to spark conversation, while Van Cleef & Arpels’s Zodiaque Leonis medal brings old-world romance into modern light. Want something with weight and presence? Turn your eyes to Bvlgari’s Tubogas necklace that coils around the collarbone like liquid architecture. Layer them or simply on their own, and let these pieces speak to the star in you.
Wrist Game Royalty
The pulse of a Leo is bold and intentional—surely your wrist pieces should be capable of keeping up. These aren’t just timekeepers or trinkets, but trophies that echo your presence. Swarovski’s Birthstone bracelet adds a personal sparkle, playful enough for daytime layering yet confident enough to stand alone. Grand Seiko’s Tokyo Lion watch wraps technical precision in quiet strength, while Frank Muller’s skeleton timepiece offers a prismatic glimpse into a crystal-cut cosmos. Together, these pieces roar with just the right amount of grandeur.
Lobe And Behold
Earrings are the final beat of a look, the punctuation mark at the end of a fashion statement. So why not turn to Pomellato’s Iconica hoops that deliver birthstone boldness with timeless sensuality? They’re sculptural, weighty in all the right ways, and unapologetically expressive. For those who prefer their power a little sharper, Tiffany & Co’s Titan earrings by Pharrell Williams reinterpret the classic spike into something a lot more commanding.
For more on the latest in luxury jewellery reads, click here.
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5 Things to Know About the Trump Administration’s Plans to Limit PSLF
The Trump administration is moving forward with an attempt to restrict a popular student loan forgiveness program.
The Education Department published language on Monday detailing plans to limit eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through a proposed rule that would disqualify employers who are “engaged in activities with a substantial illegal purpose,” the department said in a press release. The administration argues the changes would protect taxpayers’ interests and improve the forgiveness program by keeping it focused on jobs that actually provide a public service.
But advocates for borrowers and organizations representing professions that benefit from the program say the move is an attempt to penalize groups the administration doesn’t agree with.
“This is a blatant attempt to weaponize student debt to achieve their political objections,” says Persis Yu, deputy executive director at the Student Borrower Protection Center. The language outlining what could cause an organization to lose eligibility is “specifically tied to activities that we know that the administration has been hostile toward,” she adds.
Congress passed Public Service Loan Forgiveness, or PSLF, in 2007 to offer an incentive to borrowers considering government or nonprofit jobs. In exchange for working in fields that are often lower-paying but serve critical public needs, borrowers can have their federal student loans forgiven if they work for an eligible employer and make 120 qualifying monthly payments. More than one million borrowers have benefited from the program so far.
The proposal to restrict the program stems from an executive order President Donald Trump issued in March, and it’s moving through a process known as negotiated rulemaking, which has included two public hearings, three sessions with committee members to discuss the changes. It now moves to a public comment period.
Here’s what borrowers need to know.
The rule seeks to “clarify” the definition of a qualifying employer
Public Service Loan Forgiveness is based not on what an employee does but on where they work. Up until now, any government job or 501(c)(3) organization has been considered a qualifying employer. The new rule aims to change the language around that to exclude any organization or government entity participating in “substantial illegal activities.”
The definition of “substantial illegal activities” is narrow in the sense that the rule explicitly identifies the areas of potential illegal behavior that the administration is focused on. They include aiding or abetting violations of immigration laws, providing gender-affirming medical care to minors, supporting foreign terrorism, violating federal discrimination laws and “engaging in violence for the purpose of obstructing or influencing federal government policy.”
Yu argues that the list of activities makes it clear that the proposed rule is more about achieving the administration’s policy objectives than about protecting public interest.
“They’re targeting public service workers who are working with very vulnerable populations, like transgender youth and on immigration justice issues,” Yu says. “We’ve seen this administration go after cities for their sanctuary city policies, and this is just another tool that they are using in order to suppress public service workers, their employers and local governments.”
The administration writes in the rule that it estimates fewer than 10 employers a year would be affected and that about 10% of borrowers working toward PSLF could be affected due to their employer becoming ineligible. But there is nothing explicit in the rule that limits the scope to that amount.
And critics of the rule note that, as written, every employee at an affected organization would lose eligibility for forgiveness, not just those participating in activities deemed illegal. That presents challenges for large employers like cities, hospitals or universities whose staffers work in a variety of jobs and fields.
It’s very likely to face legal challenges
There is now a public comment period that runs through Sept. 17. After that, the administration will publish its final rule, which would take effect next summer.
But multiple experts say they expect the rule to face lawsuits. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is written into statute, and the language in the law clearly states that “qualifying employer” includes any government entity as well as any organization that has a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS.
“Sometimes Congress writes laws that are a bit ambiguous, but when it comes to PSLF, they were pretty clear in what determines a qualified employer,” says Ben Cecil, senior education policy advisor at ThirdWay, who called the rule “ripe for litigation.”
If the rule is challenged in court, it could be thrown out altogether if a judge finds that the regulations contradict federal law, or the implementation could be delayed while the court case plays out. One regulation known as “gainful employment” went through a similar rulemaking process and then dragged on through multiple legal challenges and different presidential administrations for more than a decade.
It wouldn’t apply retroactively, but current borrowers would be affected
It’s critical that borrowers understand these changes wouldn’t apply retroactively, says Betsy Mayotte, president of The Institute of Student Loan Advisors. The administration is aiming to finish the rule this fall so it can take effect on July 1, 2026. Any credits earned toward forgiveness before that date would not be affected, and any actions taken by employers before that date aren’t subject to the new standards.
But current borrowers who are somewhere on the road to the 120 payments needed to qualify would be held to the new rules, which means some may see their progress toward forgiveness delayed or stopped altogether if they continue working for an employee deemed ineligible by the administration.
Officials noted this in the rule language, writing the changes “may delay or prevent forgiveness for a subset of borrowers,” but that “the overall design of the regulations — including advance notice, transparency around determinations and employer recertification pathways — helps mitigate unexpected harm.” The administration also says that affected borrowers are free to continue pursuing PSLF by changing jobs to a different qualifying employer.
The Education Department would be in charge of determining an employer’s eligibility
If there are no successful court challenges and the rule does take effect as written, the Education Department would be tasked with managing the process for determining whether employers are ineligible, notifying borrowers of changes to their employer’s status, overseeing appeals and more.
Employers can be disqualified through a few avenues: by court rulings, a guilty plea or a settlement, for example. The rule also allows the secretary of education to use a standard called “preponderance of evidence” to determine whether an employer engaged in substantial illegal activities.
That last avenue was concerning to Mayotte, who served on the negotiating committee and voted against the rule. She doesn’t think the secretary of education should have the power to determine whether someone is violating the law as it relates to discrimination, protests or gender-affirming care. That’s “not in the secretary’s wheelhouse,” she says.
Organizations do have the option to appeal, although the process for that isn’t clear. And the rule states borrowers are not allowed to ask the department to reconsider a decision regarding their employer.
Finally, the education department will oversee the process for employers to regain their qualifying employer status, which can happen 10 years from the date the secretary determines the employer engaged in illegal activities or after the secretary approves a corrective action plan.
Borrowers shouldn’t make any drastic decisions
Mayotte describes the proposed rule as a “worrisome precedent,” but she doesn’t want borrowers to make drastic changes to their repayment strategy right now based on a still-to-be-finalized rule. (One borrower she talked to, she says, was considering giving up on PSLF and withdrawing from her retirement savings to pay off her loans.) It’s important for borrowers to know that nothing about the program has changed yet.
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The Rise Of Malaysia’s Coffee Scene
Every time we turn a corner in the city, chances are we will come across a cafe, whether it’s a sleek urbanite setup or a friendly neighbourhood kopitiam (our version of coffee shop, deriving from kopi [coffee in Malay] and tiam[shop in Hokkien]). Whichever the case, it would be a place to which people from all walks of life gravitate.
It could be a secondary school student ordering a creamy frappuccino in their school uniform after class. It could be a retired uncle having his daily cup of aromatic Hainanese coffee paired with slightly toasted kaya toast. Or it could be a working adult grabbing a quick hot latte for an instant energy boost.
Coffee is ubiquitous in almost all societies across the globe. There’s just no denying that many of us can barely begin our day without first downing a cuppa. Coffee drinking is so deeply woven into our daily lives that schedules get planned around coffee breaks.
From Kopitiams to Cafes
The origins of coffee in Malaysia can be traced back to British colonial times. It was first introduced to Malaya (as Malaysia was known before gaining independence from the Crown) by the British during the 18th century — a time when drinking tea was all the rage, and coffee played second fiddle.
It wasn’t until the late 19th century that coffee began gaining the spotlight, thanks to Malaysia’s Hainanese Chinese community, who brought along their culinary customs to the region, including our all-time favourite, Hainanese coffee. The richly textured brew, made of dark roasted Robusta and Liberica beans, is often sweetened with condensed milk.
However, coffee’s nouveau prime moment arrived in the 1990s, when international chains such as The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and Starbucks took over the local scene, transforming the coffee industry into a lucrative business.
Today, cafés are a comfortingly common sight in Kuala Lumpur, with at least one in nearly every neighbourhood. International coffee chains have marked their spots across Malaysia, from commercial giants like Starbucks and Dôme to premium establishments like Paris Baguette from South Korea, Bacha Coffee from Morocco, and Ralph’s Coffee from the United States.
Local players such as ZUS Coffee, Bask Bear and Gigi Coffee have also made their mark, dominating the Malaysian landscape with their indomitable presence, each boasting over 100 outlets nationwide.
The Rise of Indie Cafés
Just across the causeway lies a thriving cluster of independent cafes, established by fervent coffee lovers in Malaysia. One standout is ONO Specialty Coffee & Matcha, which is located in SS2, Petaling Jaya — a true crown jewel in the local brew scene. The café recently ranked ninth on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list.
Known for its signature drink, When Two Worlds Collide, ONO Specialty Coffee & Matcha sets it apart from the sea of run-of-the-mill coffee shops with its innovative fusion of coffee and matcha. Behind the perfect cup is a team of specialists who live and breathe the craft: Shaun Liew, two-time Malaysia Brewers Cup Champion; Kent Wong, head roaster; and Syun Hattori, founder of Niko Neko Matcha.
“ONO is the world’s first specialty coffee and matcha cafe — that’s what makes us unique and special,” shares Shaun Liew, co-founder of ONO Specialty Coffee & Matcha. “We offer both specialty coffee & matcha at the same level, and even craft specialty drinks that combine both. Our tagline, When Two Worlds Collide, represents the world of coffee and matcha colliding, which also inspires our signature drink, a combination of Ethiopian coffee and cold brew soda layered with a single cultivar matcha cream.”
Also earning a spot on The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops list is Ome by Spacebar Coffee, a frequented café tucked away in George Town, Pulau Pinang. Founded by Joachim Leong and Shean Tan to serve good coffee and bakes, Ome by Spacebar Coffee started as a pop-up in Kuala Lumpur before evolving into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar café. Today, it pampers every patron with an ever-rotating selection of premium coffee beans.
“We are a multi-roaster coffee bar, featuring coffees from all over the world, and we rotate them weekly,” Joachim explains. “This also allows coffee-loving guests to savour different beans each visit, while also maintaining a blend for our regulars. We mainly source from Malaysian roasters like One Half and The Roast Things in Kuala Lumpur, and Brewsmith and Sweet Blossom in Johor Bahru. We also take Square Mile Coffee and Exemplar Coffee from the UK, Apollon’s Gold from Japan and Prodigal Coffee from the US regularly.”
A Real Home for Coffee
The Malaysian coffee industry has seen tremendous growth, particularly among homegrown coffee brands. A decade ago, getting a good cup of coffee might have required going out of our way. Today, we are likely to run into the same café again, just a few streets away. With Malaysians’ growing appetite for premium beverages and rising purchasing power, coffee has become a lifestyle staple rather than a luxury.
“Compared to many countries, we have indeed grown rapidly—from the kopitiam culture to specialty cafes that rival some of the best in the world. What is truly unique here is the blend of tradition and innovation— you can sip on a hand-brewed natural Ethiopian coffee at the same street where someone’s pulling kopi from a sock. That’s beautiful,” says Shaun, who also hopes to see more Malaysian-grown beans gain global recognition.
“I think our local coffee culture is unique in the sense that people use coffee for productivity, leisure and also well for the ‘gram! If you look at the US and the UK, people there practically run on caffeine, having two to three cups a day. Whereas if you look at Taiwan and Japan, people linger in a cafe, have a coffee with a date or a book.
Somehow, in Malaysia, we have a combo of everything. Our coffee places help people function through caffeine, offer a space to socialise, or just provide a little me time. And this can stretch from day to night,” shares Joachim.
Malaysia is not just a nation for coffee lovers; it’s also a significant producer of Liberica coffee, known for its earthy, smoky profile with nutty and floral undertones, and hints of dark chocolate and ripe berry. Liberica accounts for the majority of Malaysia’s domestic coffee production. Alongside Indonesia and the Philippines, Malaysia is now one of the world’s top producers of the unique variety.
“Malaysia has potential, not just as a coffee-consuming nation, but as a coffee-producing one. We have the talent, the terroir, and the story. If we can channel the same energy we pour into coffee competitions into uplifting our local origins, producers, and industry roles, we could shape a uniquely Malaysian identity in the global coffee scene. And that is a future that I am excited about,” Shaun adds.
A Necessity & An Artisan Craft
From modest kopitiams to thriving coffee chains, Malaysia’s coffee culture has grown from a humble agrarian industry into a burgeoning business. What was once merely a beverage choice has become an integral part of our lives. Whether it’s a nostalgia-evoking kopi or an aromatic pour-over, each cup offers more than just a drink — it celebrates the art of coffee making, tells the story of the people behind the craft and brings together those who simply enjoy a good cup of coffee.
This article was first seen on MEN’S FOLIO MY.
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The Child I Lost and the Inner Child I’m Now Learning to Love
“Our sorrows and wounds are healed only when we touch them with compassion.” ~Jack Kornfield
Her absence lingers in the stillness of early mornings, in the moments between tasks, in the hush of evening when the day exhales. I’ve gotten good at moving. At staying busy. At producing. But sometimes, especially lately, the quiet catches me—and I fall in.
Grief doesn’t always roar. Sometimes it’s a whisper, one you barely hear until it’s grown into a wind that bends your bones.
It’s been nearly three years since my daughter passed. People told me time would help. That the firsts—first holidays, first birthday without her—would be the hardest. And maybe that was true.
But what no one prepared me for was how her absence would echo into the years that followed. How grief would evolve, shape-shift, and sometimes grow heavier—not lighter—with time. How her loss would uncover older wounds. Ones that predate her birth. Wounds that go back to a little girl who never quite felt safe enough to just be.
I’d like to say I’ve spent the past few years healing. Meditating. Journaling. Growing. And I did—sort of. Inconsistently. Mostly as a checkmark, doing what a healthy, mindful person is supposed to do, but without much feeling. I went through the motions, hoping healing would somehow catch up.
What I found instead was a voice I hadn’t truly listened to in years—my inner child, angry and waiting. While this year’s whirlwind pace pulled me further away, the truth is, I began losing touch with her long before.
She waited, quietly at first. But ignored long enough, she began to stir. Her protest wasn’t loud. It was physical—tight shoulders, shallow breath, scattered thoughts, restless sleep. A kind of anxious disconnection I kept trying to “fix” by doing more.
I filled my days with obligations and outward-focused energy, thinking productivity might shield me from the ache.
But the ache never left.
It just got smarter—showing up in my body, in my distracted mind, in the invisible wall between me and the world.
Until the day I finally stopped. I don’t know if I was too tired to keep running or if my grief finally had its way with me. But I paused long enough to pull a card from my self-healing oracle deck. It read:
“Hear and know me.”
I stared at the words and wept.
This was her. The little girl in me. The one who had waited through years of striving and performing and perfecting. The one who wasn’t sure she was lovable unless she earned it. The one who held not just my pain but my joy, too. My tenderness. My creativity. My curiosity.
She never left. She just waited—watching, hurting, hoping I’d remember.
For so long, I thought healing meant fixing. Erasing. Becoming “better” so I wouldn’t have to feel the ache anymore.
But she reminded me that healing is less about removing pain and more about returning to myself.
I’m still learning how to be with her. I don’t always know what she needs. But I’m listening now.
Sometimes, she just wants to color or lie on the grass. Sometimes she wants to cry. Sometimes she wants pancakes for dinner. And sometimes, she wants nothing more than to be told she’s safe. That I see her. That I won’t leave again.
These small, ordinary acts feel like re-parenting. I’m learning how to mother myself, even as I continue grieving my daughter. It’s a strange thing—to give the care I long to give her, to the parts of me that were once just as small, just as tender, just as in need.
I’ve spoken so much about the loss of my daughter. The space she once filled echoes every day. But what also lingers is her way of being—her authenticity. She was always exactly who she was in each moment. No apologies. No shrinking.
In my own journey of trying to fit in, of not wanting to be different, I let go of parts of myself just to be accepted.
She, on the other hand, stood out—fearlessly. The world called her special needs. I just called her Lily.
Her authenticity reminded me of something I had lost in myself. And now, authenticity is what my inner child has been waiting for—for so, so long.
Sometimes I wonder if the universe gave me Lily not just to teach her but to be taught by her. Maybe our children don’t just inherit from us—we inherit from them, too.
Her gift, her legacy, wasn’t just love. It was truth. The kind of truth that comes from living as you are.
Maybe her lesson for me is the one I’m just now beginning to accept: that being fully myself is the most sacred way I can honor her.
It’s not easy. The adult in me wants a checklist, a result, a clean timeline. But she reminds me: healing isn’t a destination. It’s a relationship.
It’s a relationship with the past—yes—but also with the present moment. With the part of me that still flinches under pressure. With the softness I once thought I had to abandon in order to survive.
I’m learning that my softness was never the problem. It was the silence that followed when no one responded to it.
She is the key. The key to my own heart.
It doesn’t always come in waves.
Sometimes it’s a flicker, a breath, a quiet knowing that I’m still here—and that they are, too.
My daughter, in the memories that move like wind through my life. And my inner child, in the softness I’m learning to reclaim. In the space where grief and love hold hands, we all meet.
Maybe that’s the lesson she’s been shouting all along: that we can’t truly love others if we abandon ourselves. That within our own hearts—tender, bruised, still beating—lies the key to beginning again.
We can’t mother our lost children the way we once did.
But maybe, in their absence, we can begin to mother the small, forgotten parts of ourselves—with the same love, the same patience, the same fierce devotion.
Maybe that’s how we honor them—not by moving on, but by moving inward.
About Elizabeth Candy
Elizabeth Candy is a writer, mother, and spiritual seeker. She writes about grief, healing, and the journey of coming home to oneself after loss. She believes we can find our way by listening inward and loving the forgotten parts of ourselves. You can read more of her writing at lifeafterlil.blogspot.com, or follow her on Instagram @lifeafterlil.
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Will Stellantis Off-Load Failing Maserati Brand?
Global automaking giants Stellantis is reportedly mulling the possibility of putting its Maserati brand up for sale.
The famed trident marque rooted in Modena, Italy, renowned for luxury and performance, saw its sales collapse by 48% earlier this year. In fact, former Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares even admitted once that Maserati was “in the red” due to poor marketing.
Whilst Stellantis deny such plans, newswire Reuters quoted sources alleging that the parent firm is being recommended by consultants McKinsey to divest in Maserati in some way because of new import tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump.
Another source further claims Stellantis instructed McKinsey to consider all possibilities for the troubled Maserati marque. In lieu of which, McKinsey is allegedly still in the early phases of its work, so a definitive decision is unlikely to come so soon.
Another source quoted by Reuters indicates disagreement amongst Stellantis board members about what it should do with the Italian brand. In fact, some supposedly believe Maserati still holds value as the only luxury marque in Stellantis’ portfolio.
Naturally, there’s an opposing half that reckons Stellantis doesn’t have the resource to support Maserati and its current struggle to revamp its line-up.
What isn’t helping is the brand’s rather ‘lacking’ current line-up. Maserati recently axed both its Ghibli sports saloon and Levante SUV, and the successors to both are only arriving sometime in 2028 and 2027 respectively.
Until then, Maserati is relegated with its lone SUV offering called the Grecale. It also has both its signature GranTurismo and GranCabrio luxury GTs, as well as the MC20 midship sportcar, but neither holds mass appeal as how the other two model mentioned.
In other words, newly installed CEO Antonio Filosa, who is also an Italian national, has got quite the decision to make as he starts his new role leading the automaker.
This article was first seen on CARZAUTOMEDIA
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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller: Making Its Mark
When a watch company launches an entirely new collection, it is a significant event. These are not off-the-cuff decisions, but rather the result of years of research, development, and careful adherence to the brand’s heritage to create something both technically relevant and aesthetically distinct. That has been true across Rolex’s 120-year history.
In 1967, the Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller introduced the helium escape valve, setting a new benchmark for saturation diving. In 2012, the Oyster Perpetual Sky-Dweller won over frequent flyers with its user-friendly annual calendar and dual-time display. And now, in 2025, Rolex has unveiled the Oyster Perpetual Land-Dweller – a model that brings the brand’s dedication to precision into a new chapter via a strikingly modern design and a high-frequency movement.
The eye is drawn first to the dial. The defining motif is a stylised honeycomb, brought to life through the use of a femtosecond laser. This allows Rolex to sculpt each cell in subtle relief and etch the delicate lines in the grooves between them with incredible precision, producing a surface that catches light with a gentle, almost organic shimmer.
The numerals are also unique to the Land-Dweller. While they take cues from the Explorer and Air-King, they are partially open-worked – a design choice that positions them firmly in the contemporary realm. Some versions feature a Chromalight display ensuring excellent legibility in the dark, while the rectilinear hands (also exclusive to this model) include a honeycomb-shaped counterweight.
Long-time Rolex fans will likely feel a flicker of familiarity when they spot the bracelet. Called the Flat Jubilee, it is a flattened reinterpretation of the iconic five-link bracelet that first appeared on the Datejust in 1945. In this iteration, the centre links are slightly raised and polished for a touch of gleam, while the outer links receive a satin-brushed finish. Further contrast can be admired on the polished edges, which give the impression of a ribbon of light running along the length of the bracelet.
Comfort remains an important priority, which is why Rolex developed and patented a new attachment system specifically for this bracelet, designed to improve durability and reduce long-term wear. Ceramic inserts have been added around the spring bar for extra protection, and in the precious metal versions, the ceramic inserts can be found inside the bracelet links as well. The bracelet is secured by a concealed folding Crownclasp.
The Land-Dweller is offered in two sizes — 36 mm and 40 mm — and three metals: White Rolesor (Oystersteel and 18 ct white gold) and 950 platinum and 18 ct Everose gold. True to Rolex tradition, the platinum model is paired with an ice-blue dial — a signature combination reserved only for watches made of this most precious material. On the gold and platinum versions, it may also have a bezel set with trapeze-cut diamonds and baguette-cut diamond hour markers.
The case is novel as well, both in how it appeals to the modern inclination toward integrated bracelets, but also in performance. It has been subtly reworked to incorporate a modified waterproofing system around the sapphire crystal, as well as a slightly wider fluted bezel than on other Classic models. Waterproofness is rated to 100m, and the case’s overall thickness of just 9.7 mm proves that robustness doesn’t need to come with bulk.
Look a little closer and you will notice a new “technical satin finish” at play for the first time on Oystersteel — characterised by a finely striated linear grain with a matte sheen. It is applied to the flat surfaces of the case and the outer bracelet links, a detail that rewards scrutiny and speaks volumes about Rolex’s attention to detail.
The Land-Dweller’s refreshing design is reason enough for keen interest, but what beats under it is game-changing. The self-winding calibre 7135 may be an evolution of the calibre 7140 but a minor upgrade this is not. Ten years in the making, the 7135 features a revolutionary regulating mechanism escapement and oscillator, which enables it to beat at a frequency of 5Hz to allow the watch to measure time to the tenth of a second.
The regulating system comprises two core innovations. First, the new Dynapulse escapement — with seven patent applications — reimagines the traditional Swiss lever setup. It is composed of a transmission wheel that engages with two distribution wheels; these, in turn, activate the impulse rocker, which then connects with the oscillator. The result is a system that is about 30 per cent more energy efficient than the standard Swiss lever escapement, with significantly reduced friction and wear thanks to its silicon architecture. Even the lubrication is different — nanolitres of oil (not grease) are dispensed with a curved precision needle.
Secondly, there is the oscillator, engineered for both accuracy and resistance to strong magnetic fields. The balance staff is made of high-tech ceramic, and its production procedure is also patent-pending. The balance wheel is crafted from anti-magnetic “optimised brass”, while the Syloxi silicon hairspring — a Rolex invention — has been reworked with thicker coils to withstand the increased demands of a 5Hz frequency. Rounding off the system are Paraflex shock absorbers with an improved “double cone geometry and an enhanced leaf spring, designed to protect the staff from impact.
The movement is driven by a self-winding system via a Perpetual Rotor and the power reserve extends to approximately 66 hours. Decorative touches include Rolex Côtes de Genève across the movement bridges, all visible through the sapphire crystal case back.
Like all current Rolex watches, the Land-Dweller is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015, and goes well beyond those of the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), guaranteeing a deviation of no more than -2/+2 seconds per day.
With an impressive new movement and quietly bold design, the Land-Dweller does not just mark a new chapter; it hints at an entirely new era that beats to a faster rhythm as Rolex continues to make giant strides toward the betterment of precision timekeeping.
This story was first seen as part of the WOW #79 Summer 2025 Issue
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