The history of this Rolex Oyster Perpetual
In 1926, the Geneva-based company filed a patent for the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down bezel, case back and crown. The following year, the swimmer Mercedes Gleitze swam across the English Channel wearing an Oyster on her wrist, the first public demonstration of its water resistance. In 1931, Rolex added the Perpetual rotor, a free-swinging oscillating weight that winds the mainspring with the slightest movement. The Oyster Perpetual combines these two inventions in their most straightforward form, without a date display or a functional bezel, and has remained the foundation of the entire range ever since. The Oyster Perpetual 36, reference 116000, produced until 2020 before the arrival of the 126000, featured several different dials. This one echoes the layout of the 1953 Explorer, with Arabic numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, hence the name ‘Explorer dial’ given to it by collectors.
Case, movement and bracelet of this Oyster Perpetual 36
The 36 mm steel Oyster case features brushed lugs on the top, polished sides and a smooth, domed bezel with a mirror-polished finish. The screw-down case back with fluted rim and the screw-down crown stamped with the Rolex crown ensure water resistance to 100 metres, beneath a sapphire crystal without a magnifying lens. The silver sunburst dial features baton hour markers and applied numerals at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock, filled with luminescent material, as are the baton hands. The flange is engraved with the name ‘Rolex’ all the way round. Depending on the position of the wrist, the sunburst finish makes the silver colour shift from a cool tone to a lighter one. The self-winding calibre 3130 is a certified chronometer, as indicated by the ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ inscription on the dial. It features 31 jewels and offers a power reserve of 48 hours. The steel Oyster bracelet, with three rows of brushed links and screw-down links, fastens with an Oysterclasp folding clasp stamped with the crown, with a lug-to-lug width of 20 mm.
Why this Rolex watch
The Oyster Perpetual 36 is the most straightforward entry point into the world of Rolex, featuring the Oyster case, an in-house chronometer-certified calibre and the Oyster bracelet, with no complications to maintain. The current generation has reverted to index markers alone, and the Explorer dial is therefore no longer available in the catalogue. On a silver dial, the three Arabic numerals provide instant readability and a more utilitarian character than the index version. Furthermore, the brand’s steel models remain difficult to obtain from official retailers, and this complete set allows you to wear an Oyster Perpetual without having to wait.
Contents and condition
The watch is supplied as a full set, with its Rolex presentation box, inner box, its booklet, its international warranty card dated June 2013 and one spare link, useful for adjusting the bracelet to a wider wrist. It is in very good condition and has just been polished, with care taken to preserve the alternating brushed and polished finishes on the case and bracelet. The bezel has been restored to a mirror finish, the edges of the lugs remain sharp, and neither the dial nor the hands show any visible defects in the photographs. It is ready to wear.
Warranty and delivery
The Swiss Collector guarantees the authenticity of this watch, which is covered by a 24-month warranty. We accept returns within 10 days in accordance with our terms and conditions. As Switzerland’s leading second-hand watch retailer, backed by the largest network of shops, we offer online booking for a fitting and collection in-store, or fully secure international delivery.
* Very good condition – watch has been worn. Slight signs of external wear. Case and strap in excellent overall condition.
