Introducing the 100th Anniversary Rolex Oyster Perpetuals
Rolex is arguably the most famous, iconic, and renowned watchbrand in the world. Its watches have been instantly recognisable from afar for almost the whole of the brand’s existence. I will make a bold claim, and state that part of this success is due to the Oyster case: Rolex’s proprietary waterproof case that celebrates its 100th birthday this year in 2026. Watches sporting the Oyster case have swum across the English Channel, summited Everest, and done pretty much everything else in-between. While you might the Oyster case on most of Rolex’s watches, none embody it better than the Oyster Perpetual collection. To mark the big occasion, Rolex have released not one, not two, but four new Oyster Perpetual models to celebrate this wonderful, succesful, and iconic invention that has stood the test of time brilliantly. Let’s get stuck in straight away with the most significant of the lot!
Oyster Perpetual 41
The Oyster Perpetual 41. One of Rolex’s most sought after watches in the most sought after size. Previously, this watch has been given a strict steel only diet, but, it would be wrong to deprive it of some bling on its 100th Birthday. As a result, the 100th Years OP 41 comes with a gold bezel and crown, which has been specially marked. The slate dial has quietly altered with green accents at each five-minute marker, gold indices, and the super subtle “100 years” signature at six replaces the usual Swiss Made. In my opinion, this strikes the perfect balance between meaningful and tasteful. Sometimes, anniversary watches can go way too far and instantly become ridiculous or borderline unwearable- we all know the ones. This, however, is definitely going to become one of the most sought after pieces this year and probably well into the future.
Oyster Perpetual 36
I’ll be honest, this is probably the most divisive of the bunch. Having just talked about celebration watches that go way too far, this is a little ironic. We have previously seen Rolex experiment with fun, alternative dials with great success and that is exactly what I expect this to be. The Oyster Perpetual 36 takes on a fun motif, called the Jubilee- a subtle nod to the bracelet and the celebration aspect of the name- and pushes it far beyond what anyone expected from Rolex. Covering the dial in a multicolored pattern built from repeated “Rolex” lettering, this motif is the closest we will ever get to seeing Rolex try its hand at some modern street art. It might sound gimmicky to you when put like that, but I really think it is the opposite. We think Rolex are the incarnation of clean and clinical watch design, where even the slightest amount of fun can barely make it onto the watch. Thus, it is heartwarming to see that they can be a little more lighthearted when they want to. The execution of this pattern matters here: each color is applied individually, which gives the dial a surprising amount of depth and texture under changing light. So whilst it might seem funny, the level of planning and execution that has gone into this is no different than what they usually do. The rest of the stays deliberately simple: it is the same 36mm Oystersteel case, the same Calibre 3230. The dial can do all the talking here.
Oyster Perpetual 28
This is where Rolex gets interesting again. This is also where I will stand on my hill and say I told you so to my colleagues. The Oyster Perpetual has always been in steel watch, at least in the form that we have known it. Yes, I saw the comments from the Rolex experts coming my way there… Getting a 28mm OP in full yellow gold feels almost old-school and really quite special. I had wished for a full sized version, but really this is just as cool. The green stone lacquer has real depth, shifting tone depending on the light, while the heliotrope markers at 3, 6, and 9 add just enough texture without turning it into a novelty piece. Again, it is a green dial on an anniversary Rolex: can it be anymore textbook cool? I certainly do not think so. Inside, the Calibre 2232 keeps things simple and reliable. It’s a small watch, but it doesn’t feel delicate—more considered than that, with a quiet confidence that grows on you.
Oyster Perpetual 34
Is this my favorite of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Anniversary releases? Yes, it absolutely is. The 34mm case is the sweet spot in my opinion, this is a watch for him, for her, or for both of them. Having never really seen anything other than yellow gold on some very very early Oyster Perpetuals, rose gold is certainly a new milestone here. Complemented by the blue stone dial, this really is a match made in heaven. The stone is rich but not glossy. The surface broken up by the dumortierite markers: inbteresting and stimulating, but not distracting from the overall ensemble. The Everose case and bracelet are mostly satin-finished, which tones down the usual shine and makes the whole watch feel a bit more subtle and wearable than you’d expect from something in solid rose gold. It’s still a straightforward three-hander, powered by the Calibre 2232, but the proportions and materials do the heavy lifting. I think this is the most cohesive of the four: it just works perfectly. I really hope that we will be seeing more of this type of watch from Rolex in the not too distant future.
Final Thoughts
Celebrating a century of the Oyster case, the waterproof architecture that laid the foundation for the modern sports watch, is no small task. Rolex could have easily phoned this in with a single, hyper-limited platinum release. Done and dusted. But, they haven’t. Instead, they delivered a wildly diverse quartet that perfectly captures the different facets of the brand today. We get a considered nod to history in the 41, unapologetic quirkiness in the 36, old-school glamour in the 28, and downright perfect proportions in the 34. While the Everose 34mm remains my absolute standout, there is undeniably something for every flavour of Rolex collector here.
Find out more about these new watches here.
