Rolex model

Rolex Oyster Perpetual: history, sizes and official videos

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the time-only Rolex, built on the Oyster case of 1926 and the Perpetual self-winding rotor of 1931. This page explains how the line developed, what changed in 2020 and what drives the value of an Oyster Perpetual, and shows the official Rolex videos.

Oyster case: 1926
Perpetual rotor: 1931
Sizes since 2020: 28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm
Water resistance: 100 m (330 ft)
Movements today: Calibres 2232 and 3230

Rolex Oyster Perpetual – The Prowess of the Essential – official video by Rolex on YouTube

Where the name Oyster Perpetual comes from

The name combines two Rolex inventions. In 1926 Rolex introduced the Oyster, a wristwatch in a sealed case with a screw-down crown, case back and bezel, which Rolex presents as the world's first waterproof wristwatch. In 1927 the swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wore an Oyster during her attempt to swim the English Channel, and the watch was launched in the UK that November. In 1931 Rolex patented the Perpetual rotor, a freely turning weight that winds the watch from the movement of your wrist. An Oyster with this rotor became the Oyster Perpetual, and Rolex describes the 1931 original as its first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch.

Two generations of the modern line

Today the Oyster Perpetual is the simplest Rolex: time only, with hours, minutes and seconds, no date window and no extra complications. Do not confuse it with the Oyster Perpetual Date or the Datejust, which add a date. The modern line is easiest to understand as two generations.

Series	Years	References	Case	Movement
Previous generation	until 2020	–	26, 31, 34, 36 and 39 mm	Calibre 3130 (34 and 36 mm), calibre 3132 (39 mm)
Current generation	since 2020	–	28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm	Calibre 2232 (smaller sizes), calibre 3230 (36 and 41 mm)

In 2020 Rolex replaced the 39 mm size with a 41 mm and dropped the 26 mm. It also introduced lacquered dials in candy pink, turquoise blue, yellow, coral red and green, which changed the look of the line from conservative to playful.

Case, movement and dials

Case: Oystersteel with a sapphire crystal. Rolex guarantees the Oyster case waterproof to 100 meters (330 feet).
Movement: self-winding with a Perpetual rotor. The 36 mm and 41 mm use calibre 3230 with a power reserve of about 70 hours, and the smaller sizes use calibre 2232.
Precision: current watches carry Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification, which means about -2/+2 seconds per day.
Dials: besides the lacquer colors, the line comes with sunray-finish dials in black, silver and blue, and a "Celebration" dial with colored bubbles.

Before 2020, Wikipedia lists calibre 3130 for the 34 mm and 36 mm and calibre 3132 for the 39 mm. If you own an older watch, the papers and the movement details tell you which generation you have.

What is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual worth?

The value of an Oyster Perpetual depends mainly on the generation and size, the dial, the condition, and whether box, papers and the original bracelet are present. Current models with the lacquer dials, and especially the discontinued ones, are watched closely by buyers, while a worn or polished case, a replaced dial or a mismatched bracelet lowers the price. Vintage Oyster Perpetuals from the 1930s onward are collected on their own merits, so condition and originality matter even more there. We do not quote prices for the line here, because the range is wide and we only cite auction results that we can document with house, place, date and amount.

Own an Oyster Perpetual? Upload a few photos and get a free value estimate: estimate my Rolex Oyster Perpetual · How much is my watch worth?

Official Rolex Oyster Perpetual videos

All videos come from the official Rolex YouTube channel. They show the dials and sizes of the line, including the 2026 novelties – the setting guide is How to Set Your Oyster Perpetual.

More Rolex videos, sorted by model: all official Rolex playlists.

Sources (5)

SwissWatchExperts is not affiliated with Rolex. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners; the videos are embedded from the official Rolex YouTube channel.

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Frequently asked questions

When was the Rolex Oyster Perpetual introduced?

Rolex introduced the Oyster case in 1926 and patented the Perpetual rotor in 1931. The Oyster with the rotor became the Oyster Perpetual, which Rolex describes as its first self-winding waterproof chronometer wristwatch.

What sizes does the Oyster Perpetual come in?

Since 2020 the line has been offered in 28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm. Before that the sizes were 26, 31, 34, 36 and 39 mm.

Which movement is in an Oyster Perpetual?

Current watches use self-winding Rolex calibres: 3230 in the 36 mm and 41 mm, with a power reserve of about 70 hours, and 2232 in the smaller sizes. Older 34 mm and 36 mm watches used calibre 3130, and the 39 mm used calibre 3132.

Is the Oyster Perpetual waterproof?

Rolex guarantees the Oyster case waterproof to 100 meters (330 feet) on current models.

How is it different from a Datejust?

The Oyster Perpetual shows only hours, minutes and seconds. The Datejust and the Oyster Perpetual Date add a date window.

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