Oyster Perpetual Guide

The most affordable line at retail price from Rolex is the Oyster Perpetual collection. There are a total of five size options: 28mm, 31mm, 34mm, 36mm, And 41mm, And even the most expensive 41mm model does not exceed 9 million KRW at retail. Thanks to this, It is widely loved by both new Rolex users and watch collectors. The vibrant dial colors that stimulate the desire to collect are also a selling point, And certain models boast popularity comparable to professional models. Shall we explore the various charms of the simple yet attractive Oyster Perpetual together?

Simple is the Best

First, Let us clarify the meaning of ‘Oyster Perpetual.’ ‘Oyster’ and ‘Perpetual’ each contain two of the most important milestones for the Rolex brand. The ‘Oyster’ case refers to water resistance, And ‘Perpetual’ means the self-winding rotor, Expressing the brand identity in the most concise way. Except for the 1908 collection, The phrase ‘Oyster Perpetual’ is engraved on all current models as a brand symbol. In a way, Oyster Perpetual can be considered the prototype of all watches sold by Rolex.

2020 Oyster Perpetual Collection / ⓒRevolution

The current collection is released in a variety of colors, Making it perfect as a fashion item, But it also guarantees durability and precision. The case is made of robust 904L stainless steel, And the movement uses the durable Cal. 2232 and Cal. 3230. Although it looks simple on the outside, As expected from a Rolex watch, It has passed both COSC and the brand’s own top-level chronometer certification process. I believe these specifications, Which only Rolex can offer, Are the secret to elevating a simple watch to high-end status.

Cal. 3230 / ⓒWatchlounge

The Explorer 1 Ref. 124270, Famous as a tool watch, Is also equipped with the Cal. 3230 used in the Oyster Perpetual 36mm and 41mm.

Explorer 1 124270

36mm, Black, Oyster

Which Model Are You Looking For?

Although the design is simple, There are many different sizes and colors available. When choosing an Oyster Perpetual product in the retail or resale market, There must have been consumers who were frustrated because they could not find the color they wanted. Since the dial colors and types applied to each of the five sizes are all different, It can be quite confusing.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Dial Colors & Sizes

There are color combinations that have never been released and some that have been discontinued, Which can be confusing. Before choosing a color, It is easier to divide them into sunray dials, Which have a subtle radiance emanating from the center, And lacquer dials, Which show off deep and colorful hues.

Basic Sunray Dial

Oyster Perpetual Sunray Dial Series

The sunray dial emits a subtle light through brushing that radiates from the center. The sunray dials in black, Blue, And gray, Which are the most basic colors for watches, Are available in all sizes, So you do not have to worry about wrist thickness. This is a collection of colors that suits office workers who prefer understated models but still want to wear Rolex. Even with a resale premium, Sunray dials often remain under 10 million KRW, Making them perfect as entry-level Rolex watches. Nevertheless, A premium of about 15 to 30 percent is still present. The pink color, Which targets female customers, Is only available in sizes 34mm and below.

Oyster Perpetual 36 126000

36mm, Bright Black, Oyster

Oyster Perpetual 36 126000

36mm, Bright Blue, Oyster

Oyster Perpetual 36 126000

36mm, Candy Pink, Oyster

Colorful Lacquer Dial

The lacquer dial, Which boasts vivid colors, Has been released in a total of six types so far. The five colors of Oyster Perpetual released in 2020—yellow, Green, Coral red, Candy pink, And turquoise blue (Tiffany)—drew tremendous popularity and attention to the OP line itself. At this time, The model was changed, And the index form was unified to the current simple bar index. Instead, The colorful dial variations brought high popularity to the entire model. It breaks away from the brand’s fundamentally heavy and weighty image, Delivering a younger and more pop feeling, And the resale price has also soared. The deep, Solid color lacquer dials, Completed with multiple layers of coating, Are only available in 31mm, 36mm, And 41mm sizes.

Oyster Perpetual Lacquer Dial Series

The lacquer dial, With its trendy sensibility, Was added to the Oyster Perpetual collection after a long time, So the overall resale premium is relatively higher. (The previous lineup consisted entirely of sunray dials.) A representative example is the turquoise blue dial, First introduced by Rolex, Which at one point had a retail premium even higher than the Daytona.

Oyster Perpetual 31 277200

31mm, Turquoise Blue, Oyster

Oyster Perpetual 41 124300

41mm, Turquoise Blue, Oyster

Including turquoise blue, Yellow, And coral red, These three colors were suddenly discontinued in 2022, Just two years after their release, Making them even more valuable as collector’s items. Lacquer dial models are especially popular among the younger generation who want to express individuality rather than elegance, So they command high premiums in the resale market, And as many colors have been discontinued, They are expected to become rare timepieces that are not easy to find. Even now, All of them command more than double the retail price.

Lacquer Green Dial ⓒ Vanwonderen

The only color currently in production is Rolex’s signature green. Although not as rare as the discontinued collections, The Oyster Perpetual Green also maintains a stable premium of over 50 percent.

Oyster Perpetual 41 124300

41mm, Green, Oyster

Oyster Perpetual 36 126000

36mm, Green, Oyster

The Comeback of Discontinued Colors

Celebration Motif Dial / ⓒ Rolex

Popular discontinued colors such as turquoise blue, Coral red, And yellow returned in an unexpected way this March. The latest Oyster Perpetual collection features a bold design with the five lacquer dial colors arranged in circular shapes on the dial. Like the lacquer dial sizes, It is only available in 31mm, 36mm, And 41mm. The Celebration Motif Dial has already made it onto the wish lists of many collectors, And the resale market is also eagerly awaiting the arrival of this model.

I hope the chart organized by size and the popular dial information will help with your Oyster Perpetual transactions, And I look forward to bringing you another useful guide for your watch life next time.