About the Watch

The Oyster Perpetual is one of the cornerstone watches in the history of Rolex creations. In 1926 Rolex produced the first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch. This major technological advance meant that the case was hermetically sealed giving rise to the name “Oyster.” The Perpetual movement was patented by Rolex in 1931. It was the first self-winding watch with a perpetual rotor. The masterful combination of those two technologies cemented Rolex’s place at the pinnacle of the watch world and have remained consistent design elements in their collection. Oyster Perpetual is a unique watch model, but the prefix Oyster Perpetual is also used with many other models including the Oyster Perpetual Explorer and the Oyster Perpetual Submariner. 

In fact, all Rolex watches, except the Cellini, are marked “Oyster Perpetual” on the dial to certify that they include a screw-down caseback and a self-winding movement. The piece shown here is a striking modern version of the classic Oyster Perpetual design. The striking dial and the unique case size make it one of the most coveted watches on the market.

 

Key Design Features

• The Oyster Perpetual has been made in more size variations than any other Rolex watch.  Roughly 30 different versions with varying dials, bezels and case sizes have been produced.
• The striking green dial features Chromalight hands and Index hour markers.
• The case size is 41mm.

 

Things You Should Know

• Rolex was able to prove the durability and water resistance of the original oyster case when swimmer Mercedes Gleitze tested it successfully during a swim across the English channel.
• In the endless quest for perfection, Rolex continued to test their watches in the world’s most extreme conditions.  Sir Edmond Hillary and Tenzing Norgay wore Oyster Perpetual watches to the summit of Mount Everest in 1953.

About the Brand

Founded in 1905, Rolex has since grown to be one of the most iconic, recognizable, and luxurious watch brands in the world. Seeking to succeed independently from the jewelers he had been collaborating with in London, Hans Wilsdorf relocated to Switzerland in 1908. There, the brand's iconic name “Rolex” came to be — supposedly because Wilsdorf thought it was easy to pronounce and sounded like a watch being wound.

Obsessed with precision and accuracy, Wilsdorf worked hard to fit his timepieces with quality movements that would surpass the test of time. After gaining some popularity, Rolex relocated once again — this time to a watchmaker's town in Geneva. In 1926 they released the Oyster case, the world’s first water-resistant case, complete with an airtight, screw-down crown. In 1931 Rolex patented a self-winding mechanism called a Perpetual rotor — and the Oyster Perpetual was born. This caliber of innovation and creativity paved Rolex's trajectory to the prestigious, industry-leading brand they are today. A number of Rolex references — like the Daytona, Submariner, Datejust, and GMT Master — are among the most sought-after vintage watches of all time. To date, Rolex is the largest manufacturer of certified Swiss-made chronometers. Both their new and vintage watches — many of which increase in value as they age — are considered a mark of prestige, a good investment, and one of the best watches in the world.