Wearing a Rolex on your wrist is perhaps the ultimate symbol of sophistication and success. In addition to the stunning beauty of Rolex watches which is guaranteed to catch the eye, everybody who sees it knows that a Rolex watch can only be afforded by someone who is at the top of their game.
The Oyster Perpetual is the most affordable Rolex you can buy, and prices range from $6,000 to $20,000 depending on materials and the scarcity of the design. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch is a direct descendant of the original watertight Rolex Oyster watch created in 1926 by the Swiss luxury watch manufacturer.
There are many reasons a person might want to buy a Rolex Oyster Perpetual watch which has nothing to do with the price. Rolex is a name synonymous with design, engineering, and collectability – choose well, and they can even be a solid investment.
Why does a Rolex watch cost so much?
Many luxury items cost more because of their reputation, brand strength, and scarcity in the marketplace. But a Rolex is not a marketing gimmick and there are in fact lots of good reasons why the price tag is justified.
Rolex uses a special kind of stainless steel called Corrosion-Resistant Superalloy 904L which is much more expensive to use than the cheaper 316L used by even top watch manufacturers. The incredible hardness and chemical stability of 904L mean it is very difficult to manufacture watches from, but it will keep a scratch-free shine for a hundred years.
The mechanism inside a Rolex is the finest, most sought after and collectible mechanism money can buy. Rolex uses a free-sprung mechanism made from beryllium and copper which is shockproof, resistant to changes in temperature and pressure, and is accurate to an impressive +2/-2 seconds per day.
Finally, perhaps most impressive of all in an age of robotic manufacturing, Rolex watches are still handmade. While robots sort the parts and polish the metal, an army of skilled craftspeople assemble the incredibly fine internal mechanisms by hand, and highly skilled jewelers put every gem in just the right place.
What is special about the Rolex Oyster Perpetual?
It is true that the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the most affordable watch in Rolex’s range, but this does not mean the watch is inferior in any way. Every Rolex is a work of art that serves an aesthetic and practical function for its owner.
For many, a big part of the appeal of the Oyster Perpetual is its long history in the Rolex stable of watches. The design has not changed much since 1926, which means when you put an Oyster Perpetual on your wrist you are telling the world you are not defined by passing trends but by a lasting legacy.
The Perpetual Oyster was, for a long time, quite a small watch and came in a wide variety of different shades of gold, including rose gold, so it has been popular with both women and men. The Oyster Perpetual has famously been worn by Jennifer Aniston, Winston Churchill, Ellen DeGeneres, and Roger Federer.
In terms of design, the Oyster Perpetual’s elegantly curved outer case hugs a classic round bezel between slim lugs for a strap with both polished and brushed surfaces. It is a design that has been copied many times but never surpassed.
The Oyster perpetual is also a very versatile watch, coming in lots of different bezel sizes and materials to suit the wrist of any man or woman. Smaller and less fussy than a Submariner or a Daytona, the Oyster Perpetual will go as well with jeans as it will with a suit and tie.
Is there anything better than a Rolex?
Rolex is famous for making accurate watches, but there are other watchmakers who are superior. Omega, for example, makes mechanical watches that are fractionally more accurate than a Rolex and quartz watches which keep time nearly perfectly.
If you are looking to display your wealth on your wrist, Patek Philippe is a brand of watches even more staggeringly expensive than a Rolex. One of the cheapest watches they make is the Patek Philippe Calatrava, and that will set you back about $15,000.
Should you buy a Rolex Oyster Perpetual?
The watch you wear on your wrist is a statement about who you are as a person. If you value robust longevity, historical heritage, and clean, classic design then the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the watch for you.