Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster Perpetual, Oyster Perpetual Date, Air-King and the Lady Oyster Perpetual are modern incarnations of one of the most recognizable watches in watchmaking history.
Oyster Perpetual
Oyster, 36 mm, steel and white gold
As forerunners, the Oyster Perpetual models are among the most recognizable in a collection of legendary watches. They have retained their unmistakable aesthetic association with the original Rolex Oysters while evolving with the watchmaking know-how of Rolex.
Oyster Perpetual
Oyster, 36 mm, steel and white gold
As forerunners, the Oyster Perpetual models are among the most recognizable in a collection of legendary watches. They have retained their unmistakable aesthetic association with the original Rolex Oysters while evolving with the watchmaking know-how of Rolex.
Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster Perpetual Collection
Reference code: 116034
Model case
- Model case
- Oyster, 36 mm, steel and white gold
- Oyster architecture
- Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
Oyster Case
Features
The Oyster case is one of the foundations of the reputation for excellence of Rolex watches. Invented by Rolex in 1926, it was the world’s first waterproof case for a wristwatch thanks to its patented system of screwing down the bezel, case back and winding crown against the middle case. Like the mollusc, the Rolex Oyster is robust and clamped shut.
It provides a hermetic environment that protects the high-precision Perpetual movement from water, dust, or pressure. - Diameter
- 36 mm
- Material
- White Rolesor - combination of 904L steel and 18 ct white gold
904L Stainless Steel
Features
Rolex uses 904L stainless steel for its steel watch cases. 904L is mainly used in the high technology, aerospace and chemical industries, where maximum resistance to corrosion is essential. A superalloy, 904L is extremely resistant and highly polishable. It maintains its beauty even in the harshest environments. 904L steel also provides a perfect complement to the precious metals used by Rolex.
- Bezel
- Fluted
Fluted bezel
Features
When the Rolex Oyster first appeared in 1926,
the fluted bezel had a functional purpose: it served to screw the bezel onto the case helping to ensure
the waterproofness of the watch. It was, furthermore, identical to the fluting on the case back, which was also screwed onto the case for the same reason, using specific Rolex tools. Over time, the fluting became a purely aesthetic element, available only in 18 ct yellow, Everose or white gold on Datejust and Day-Date models. Fluting is a genuine Rolex signature feature, a mark of distinction. - Winding crown
- Screw-down, Twinlock double waterproofness system
Twinlock Winding Crown
Features
The screw-down winding crown and the case with screw-down back form the core of the Oyster. Created by Rolex in 1953, the Twinlock system ensures that the screw-down crown is water-resistant thanks to two sealed zones, one inside the tube of the crown, the other inside the winding crown itself. This system is used on all the watches in the Oyster collection that are guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres (330 feet).
- Crystal
- Scratch-resistant sapphire
Sapphire Crystal
Features
Rolex sapphire crystals are made of scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire.
- Water-resistance
- Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet
Water-resistance
Features
The watch case is rigorously tested to ensure it meets pressure-resistance requirements. The three-step process - a vacuum test, a compression test and a condensation test - will reveal the presence of even the smallest amount of moisture inside the case.
Movement
- Movement
- Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding
- Calibre
- 3130, Manufacture Rolex
3130 Movement
Features
The Submariner is equipped with calibre 3130, a self-winding mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. Like all Rolex Perpetual movements, the 3130 is a certified Swiss chronometer, a designation reserved for high-precision watches that have successfully passed the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC) tests. It is fitted with a Parachrom hairspring, offering greater resistance to shocks and to temperature variations. Its architecture, in common with all Oyster watch movements, makes it singularly reliable.
- Precision
- Officially certified Swiss chronometer (COSC)
Certified Swiss Chronometer
Features
The four simple words Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified on a Rolex watch dial mean that the very movement inside the timepiece has endured 15 days and nights of testing by COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres – Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute), an independent not-for-profit association. To receive COSC certification as a Swiss chronometer, a watch must demonstrate extreme precision in a variety of positions and temperatures. Rolex is unique in the industry: this is the standard level of quality required of every Rolex wristwatch movement.
- Winding
- Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Perpetual Rotor
Features
Invented by Rolex in 1931, this ingenious mechanism harnesses the energy of natural wrist movements to provide a reliable and clean source of power for the watch movement. It consists of a half-moon- shaped oscillating weight, which pivots freely in both directions on its axle. As it rotates, the rotor continuously winds the Perpetual movement’s mainspring, ensuring a constant and stable source of energy. This enhances the watch’s precision and eliminates the need to wind it regularly. The Perpetual rotor mechanism features two distinctive red reversing wheels, which ensure efficient winding of the movement regardless of the direction in which the oscillating weight rotates.
Bracelet
- Bracelet
- Oyster, flat three-piece links
- Bracelet material
- 904L steel
904L Stainless Steel
Features
Rolex uses 904L stainless steel for its steel watch cases. 904L is mainly used in the high technology, aerospace and chemical industries, where maximum resistance to corrosion is essential. A superalloy, 904L is extremely resistant and highly polishable. It maintains its beauty even in the harshest environments. 904L steel also provides a perfect complement to the precious metals used by Rolex.
- Clasp
- Oysterclasp
TIMELESS -
FOR ALL TIME
Style of the Oyster Perpetual
The aesthetics of the Oyster Perpetual models set them apart
as symbols of universal and classic style. They embody timeless
form and function, firmly rooted in the pioneering origins of Rolex.
The simplicity of an original.
Waterproofness
Function of the Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted exclusively from a solid block of particularly corrosion-resistant 904L steel.
The fluted case back is hermetically screwed down with a special tool exclusive to Rolex watchmakers. Another core component in the watertight structure is the winding crown fitted with the patented Twinlock double waterproofness system, which screws down securely against the case. The Oyster case provides the high-precision Rolex movement with optimal protection from water, dust, pressure and shocks.
A piece of History
Spirit of the Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster collection was built on the success of the original Oyster model invented and patented by Rolex in 1926. As the first waterproof wristwatch in the world, it played a pioneering role in the development
of the modern wristwatch.
Over the years, the Oyster became the proud bearer of many other innovations – such as self-winding by means of the Perpetual rotor –
that defined the identity of the different models, forged Rolex’s reputation
for excellence and often went on to set watchmaking standards.
Hans Wilsdorf
Spirit of the Oyster Perpetual
The history of Rolex is inextricably linked to the visionary spirit of Hans Wilsdorf, its founder. The young man entered the world of Swiss watchmaking in the early 20th century at a time when the pocket watch was the order of the day.
He began to dream of a watch worn on the wrist. Wristwatches were not very precise at the time, but Hans Wilsdorf foresaw that they could become not only elegant, but also reliable. To convince the public of the reliability of his resolutely innovative timepieces, he equipped them with small, very precise movements manufactured by a Swiss watchmaking company in Bienne.
The Quest for Chronometric Precision
Spirit of the Oyster Perpetual
Rolex first concentrated on the quality of the movements. The relentless quest for chronometric precision rapidly led to success. In 1910, a Rolex watch was the first wristwatch in the world to receive the Swiss Certificate of Chronometric Precision, granted by the Official Watch Rating Centre in Bienne.
Four years later, in 1914, Kew Observatory in Great Britain awarded a Rolex wristwatch a class “A” precision certificate, a distinction which until that point in time had been reserved exclusively for marine chronometers. From that date forward, the Rolex wristwatch was synonymous with precision.
THE SELF-WINDING MOVEMENT
Spirit of the Oyster Perpetual
In 1931, Rolex invented and patented a self-winding mechanism with a free rotor, called the Perpetual rotor, based on a principle that would later be adopted by the whole watchmaking industry. The Oyster then became the Oyster Perpetual, and this designation has also appeared ever since on the dials of all models in the collection – with the exception of certain decorated and gem-set dials – to indicate that they are waterproof and feature a self-winding movement.
THE SELF-WINDING MOVEMENT
Spirit of the Oyster Perpetual
In 1931, Rolex invented and patented a self-winding mechanism with a free rotor, called the Perpetual rotor, based on a principle that would later be adopted by the whole watchmaking industry. The Oyster then became the Oyster Perpetual, and this designation has also appeared ever since on the dials of all models in the collection – with the exception of certain decorated and gem-set dials – to indicate that they are waterproof and feature a self-winding movement.
The Oyster Perpetual Movement
Features
The self-winding mechanism consists of a half-moon-shaped oscillating weight, which pivots freely on its central axle, in one direction, then the other with the natural movements of the wrist. It transmits uninterrupted natural energy to the watch.
The oscillations of the weight create energy which is stored in the mainspring. Today, a Rolex watch enjoys an autonomy of approximately 50 hours. The Perpetual rotor system of the Oyster movements is recognisable by two red reversing wheels that allow the rewinding of the movement regardless of the rotation direction of the oscillating weight.
904L
Stainless Steel
Features
Rolex uses 904L stainless steel for its steel watch cases. 904L is mainly used in the high technology, aerospace and chemical industries, where maximum resistance to corrosion is essential. A superalloy,
904L is extremely resistant and highly polishable.
It maintains its beauty even in the harshest environments. 904L steel also provides a perfect complement to the precious metals used by Rolex.
A Superlative Chronometer
Features
Oyster Bracelet
Features
The Oyster bracelet is a perfect alchemy of form and function, aesthetics and technology. First introduced in the late 1930s, this particularly robust and comfortable metal bracelet with its broad, flat three-piece links remains the most universal bracelet in the Oyster collection.
E-brochure
The Oyster Perpetual
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