What types of Rolex Oyster Perpetual models are there?

Rolex has offered a lineup of practical watches that meet the needs of various situations. Among them, the "Oyster Perpetual" is a classic collection that focuses on basic functionality. 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the "Oyster" technology used in the name, making it a time to pay renewed attention. In this article, we will introduce the sizes and dial types of the Oyster Perpetual, focusing on current models.

Explaining the types of Rolex Oyster Perpetual!

As the name suggests, the Oyster Perpetual is a collection that combines the Oyster case and Perpetual, a feature that Rolex pioneered and that has influenced the practicality of modern wristwatches.

Currently, most of the Rolex lineup is made up of these two collections, but the Oyster Perpetual is the standard model that serves as the base for these. Its reasonable price also makes it a recommended entry point for those wanting to learn about Rolex watches. Its universal appeal can be seen in its well-defined functionality and the wide range of options available.

Another feature of the Oyster Perpetual is the wide variety of case sizes available. The current model comes in five sizes: 41mm, 36mm, 34mm, 31mm, and 28mm, making it a collection that caters to a variety of needs, regardless of gender.

Furthermore, each watch comes in a wide variety of designs, making it a fashionable item, just like modern watches. Below, we will discuss the design features.

ダイアル

The Oyster Perpetual dial features simple line indexes and hour and minute hands, while the iconic crown at 12 o'clock and double batons or larger hour markers at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock ensure excellent legibility.

Each watch is also coated with Chromalight, a luminous paint exclusive to Rolex, which emits a blue light and has a long glow time of over eight hours, making it easy to read in the dark.

Overall, there are no obvious flashy elements, but it has the simple and sturdy style that is typical of Rolex.

oyster case

The Oyster Perpetual features a robust Oyster case that is highly water-resistant and dust-proof. It is sealed by a screw-down Twinlock crown and a solid case back, making it water-resistant to 100m. All models feature a smooth bezel.

The case is made of Oystersteel, a high-performance 904L stainless steel that is characterized by its hardness and corrosion resistance. Its aesthetics are also a highlight, not just its performance. The Oyster Perpetual's case has a satin-finished base, with the bezel and sides polished, creating a striking three-dimensional effect.

The current Oyster Perpetual does not offer any glittering models made with precious metals or stones, but if you are looking for a more dressy and glamorous model, the Datejust or Day-Date collections would be your options.

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All Oyster Perpetual models are fitted with an Oyster bracelet. This basic bracelet has been used in many collections since its release in the late 1930s, with many updates, and is renowned for its high reliability.

The watch is made up of three wide, flat links with a satin finish on the top and a polished finish on the sides. It also features an Oysterclasp and Easylink. The Easylink does not require shortening the links, but can be extended by approximately 5mm using just the clasp. This highly practical feature allows you to adjust the watch to fit your exact wrist size.

The current model uses two types of movements

The Oyster Perpetual features two different in-house developed movements, depending on the size. Both are not only COSC-certified chronometers, but also boast an accuracy of -2 to +2 seconds per day after casing, according to Rolex's own standards. As the name Perpetual suggests, they employ a bidirectional winding Perpetual rotor.

The Oyster Perpetual 41 and 36 are equipped with the Caliber 3230. This movement, which is also used in professional models such as the Submariner, achieves stable precision and high magnetic resistance thanks to the use of a hairspring made from the proprietary blue Parachrom material and a Paraflex shock absorber. Improvements have been made to the barrel structure and escapement efficiency compared to previous models, resulting in a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.

Meanwhile, the 34mm, 31mm, and 28mm models of the Oyster Perpetual are equipped with the Caliber 2232, a movement featuring a patented Syloxi hairspring made of silicon. The Syloxi hairspring is also highly resistant to magnetic fields and temperature changes. It is also shock-resistant, and the patented shape of the hairspring reduces the effects of positional changes. It boasts a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.

The above are the specifications of the Oyster Perpetual, but the dial types vary depending on the case size. Below, we will describe the variations in each collection for the current models.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41

The Oyster Perpetual 41 dial comes in classic colors such as silver and black, as well as stylish colors like med blue, lavender, sand beige, and pistachio green. It is the largest model in the collection's history and was introduced in 2020, replacing the 39mm model.

The silver dial features a sunray finish, with reflections radiating from the center. Gold trim around the indices adds a touch of luxury.

Other colors feature a matte lacquer dial. Rolex lacquer dials are made by applying a total of six layers of lacquer to a brass plate and then polishing it. A varnish is then applied to the resulting uniform surface and polished further to create a lustrous and deep color.

Incidentally, in the past, there was a distinctive Celebration motif dial. Vivid colors outlined in black were arranged as if raining down from the top of the dial, giving it a playful feel that is characteristic of Rolex. This motif, added in 2020, is eccentric yet somehow familiar. The colors used are candy pink, yellow, coral red, and green, plus the base turquoise blue, for a total of five colors. It is a dial unique to the Oyster Perpetual within the Rolex lineup and is available in three sizes: 41, 36, and 31 mm.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36

There are seven dial variations for the 36mm model. This classic size with a long history is available in a wide range of colors.

The sunray dial is available in silver, and like the 41mm model, it comes in a wide variety of other colors, including green, turquoise blue, candy pink, and lavender.

Among them, turquoise blue is a catchy and popular color. Also, the candy pink lacquer dial is a special color not available on the 41mm diameter model. If you're looking for a watch with a case that's not too big, this size is a good place to start your search.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34

The 34mm model, which sits right in the middle of the range, is available in a total of seven colors, including the standard silver and black, as well as Med Bright Blue, Candy Pink, and Pistachio. All feature a sunray finish. It's a relatively small size for a men's model, and this 34mm model marks the point at which the Cal.2232 movement is adopted.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 31

The Oyster Perpetual 31 is available in nine variations, including sunray dials in silver, black, candy pink, and sand beige.

The wide range of colors and sizes available make this a recommended line for fashionable men and women, and it's also an easy choice for a pair watch or shared watch.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 28

The smallest 28mm model is sized for women. While the dial lineup—silver, black, candy pink, lavender, etc.—is largely the same as the other sizes, the smaller size gives it a different impression.

It is a wide variety of classic colors that can be worn in any situation by women.