Rolex Oyster Perpetual

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual has over 90 years of history to look back on. This longevity makes it the mother of all modern Rolex watches and, as the perfect companion for every occasion, an undisputed classic. The 26 and 31-mm models are perfect choices for anyone looking for a quality unisex watch. The slightly larger models, on the other hand, measure 39 and 41 mm and are excellent men's watches.

Watches in the Oyster Perpetual collection are defined by their discreet, no-frills design. Rolex has been crafting the cases out of 904L stainless steel for several years, though some vintage models come in yellow gold. Rolex revamped the collection in 2020, adding an array of dial colors to the lineup. Alongside the classic black and silver dials, there are also bolder colors for the taking like pink, yellow, and orange. Some editions also feature a blue or gray dial. In spring 2023, Rolex once again expanded the color pallet, adding the "celebration" dial to the array of options. This dial is decorated with bubbles in the colors of the 2020 collection.

Rolex equips each Oyster Perpetual with one of their proven in-house calibers. Current models like the Oyster Perpetual 39 feature the caliber 3132 with the Paraflex shock protection system, while the smaller editions rely on the 3130 without the Paraflex system. The caliber 2231 or 2232 powers the 26-mm women's watches. As for the 41 and 36-mm Oyster Perpetuals, these are outfitted with the caliber 3230, which Rolex also released in 2020. This movement boasts a power reserve of 70 hours.

As of August 2023, the most affordable way to buy a Rolex Oyster Perpetual is through the vintage market. For example, you can get the Oyster Perpetual Lady 76080 in stainless steel with a black dial for around 2,800 USD. You can buy two-tone versions of this women's watch under the reference number 67193 for around 3,400 USD.

You can find the 31-mm ref. 177200 with a silver dial for prices starting around 6,300 USD. A 36-mm Oyster Perpetual like the ref. 116000, which also has a silver dial, sells for close to 7,600 EUR.

The 2020 Oyster Perpetual models with their stand-out colorful dials are popular variants. Prices have risen in line with demand, and the 31-mm ref. 277200 with a yellow dial now lists for over 10,000 USD on Chrono24. The models with a turquoise dial, which fans like to call "Rolex Tiffany," are particularly sought-after. The 41-mm version under the reference number 124300 was selling for around 14,000 USD as of August 2023.

In 2020, Rolex launched the first Oyster Perpetual models with 41-mm cases. The 41-mm editions are available with a black, red, blue, turquoise, green, yellow, or silver dial. These timepieces are outfitted with the in-house caliber 3230, which was also unveiled in the same year. This movement has a 70-hour power reserve and features Rolex's high-precision Chronergy escapement, which is almost entirely resistant to magnetic fields.

All Oyster Perpetual 41 models come under the reference number 124300. The version with a silver dial and yellow gold indices is especially elegant and has an MSRP of 6,400 USD. However, due to limited supply and the global delivery situation, you can expect to spend closer to 14,000 USD on the secondary market.

The reference with a turquoise dial is very popular, and this is reflected in the price. As of August 2023, you will need to invest around 14,500 USD in a new model. With this in mind, you might even consider the ref. 124300 with a black dial – which is identical to the turquoise-dial model from a technical point of view – to be a bargain at just under 9,200 USD. The Oyster Perpetual with a green dial is also at the higher end of the scale at roughly 14,000 USD.

The Oyster Perpetual ref. 126000 measures 36 mm in diameter. This model is also powered by Rolex's in-house caliber 3230 and comes in the same colors as the 41-mm version, but with one additional hue: candy pink. These colorful Rolex watches are in high demand and thus have a hefty price tag. In August 2023, the average price of listings for the candy pink Oyster Perpetual on Chrono24 came in at 13,200 USD. The MSRP for this model is 6,100 USD, which means this watch has more than doubled in value on the secondary market.

The Oyster Perpetual 36 with a yellow dial is also performing strongly, demanding around 17,500 USD. If you're looking for a more conservative watch – both in terms of price and dial color – check out the silver or black-dialed versions. Both of these editions change hands for around 9,300 USD.

If 36 or 41 mm is too large, you may prefer one of the 28, 31, or 34-mm models. You can find the 34-mm editions under the reference number 124200. This watch comes with your choice of a blue, black, silver, or rose dial. While Rolex demands 5,300 USD for this Oyster Perpetual, you will likely need to invest between 7,600 and 8,300 USD.

The 31-mm ref. 277200 is available in all nine of the colors mentioned above, but the color you choose will heavily dictate the watch's price tag. The yellow-dial version is the most expensive at around 10,500 USD new.

The pink, silver, and red Oyster Perpetual 31 models fall in the middle price range, and as of August 2023, cost between 9,000 and 9,400 USD. The most affordable configuration of this reference is the version with the dark green dial, which costs around 8,400 USD new.

Lastly, the 28-mm Oyster Perpetual ref. 276200 comes with a black, silver, pink or blue dial and sells for between 6,700 and 7,100 USD on Chrono24. Rolex demands 5,300 USD for this reference.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 ref. 114300 is a highly-coveted watch. This stainless steel timepiece comes with a rhodium, blue, or red grape dial.

The 36-mm ref. 116000 is also available with different dial designs and hues. Prices start at around 7,600 USD for the silver-dial model, rising to 9,500 USD for the blue dial.

If you're in the market for a women's watch, you may be interested in the refs. 177200 and 176200. The former is 31 mm in diameter and available in six dial colors. You can also choose from different types of hour markers. Expect to spend between 5,800 and 6,800 USD.

The ref. 176200 measures 26 mm in diameter and also comes in six dial colors, including green. The green model was the most expensive Oyster Perpetual 26 in August 2023, coming in at almost 7,000 USD. The version with the salmon dial is much more affordable at 3,600 USD.

Those looking for a golden Oyster Perpetual will have to turn to pre-owned vintage models. One example is the ref. 6634 from the 1950s. Thanks to its thick gold plating, this watch has earned the nickname "Golden Egg" from Rolex fans.

The "Golden Egg" is 34 mm in diameter and available with a white or gold dial. The timepiece is powered by the automatic in-house caliber 1030. This movement can also be found in early Submariner models, including the legendary ref. 6538. Even then, the rotor was designed so that it could wind the caliber in both rotational directions. Regardless of condition, you can expect a copy of the Oyster Perpetual 6634 to cost you between 5,200 and 6,300 USD.

The reference numbers beginning with 6719 are classic women's watches. Rolex produced many models of this Oyster Perpetual from the 1970s to the 1990s, including the refs. 67193, 67194, and 67198. You'll find watches in both 18-karat gold and two-tone and stainless steel editions with a yellow or white gold bezel. Each case is either 24 or 26 mm in diameter, while the dial comes in white, black, blue, gold, or champagne, depending on the case and bracelet/strap material. The different models are also available with applied Roman, baton, and diamond indices. Prices run between 3,100 and 7,300 USD.

Early 6719 watches contain the Rolex caliber 2030, which was later replaced by the 2130. These automatic movements also power Lady-Datejust models from the same period. Both calibers boast chronometer certification from the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).