Last week, we highlighted Mercedes Gleitze, the first British woman to swim across the English Channel. She achieved her goal while wearing the world's first waterproof wristwatch, the Rolex Oyster. Let's dive deeper into the Oyster's marvelous design and its closest descendent, The Oyster Perpetual.
Today, it's easy to take for granted our ability to wear a watch while showering, swimming or even deep diving. Still, it took much ingenuity to perfect the Oyster case - without it, water, sweat and dust may easily seep into the watch, damaging the movement. In 1926, Rolex engineered an intricate system of cogs that securely protected the timepiece's inner workings inside a small airtight vault. Improving on this invention, in 1954, Rolex conceived of the Twinlock winding crown, a patented design that adds an additional waterproof barrier for protection. These inventions indisputably changed the course of horology.
The Oyster Perpetual highlights Rolex's crowning achievement with an elegant, reliable, waterproof design that invites us to make the world our oyster by striving for excellence on land and in the water. The classic design of these watches is evidence of the enduring genius Rolex unveiled nearly a century ago.
Razny Jewelers is proud to offer the excelling designs of Rolex throughout the greater Chicago area.
Watches in the Oyster Perpetual range are symbols of universal and classic style, while offering essential day-to-day functions – hours, minutes and seconds. Firmly rooted in the pioneering origins of Rolex, these models embody timeless form and function. They represent timepieces in their purest form.
Oyster Perpetual watches are direct descendants of the original Oyster launched in 1926, the world’s first waterproof wristwatch and the foundation on which Rolex has built its reputation. A certified Superlative Chronometer, the Oyster Perpetual features all the key characteristics of the Oyster Perpetual collection – excellent chronometric precision, the waterproof Oyster case, and a mechanical self-winding movement via Perpetual rotor. Understated and elegant, this timepiece is known for its universal, classic style.
Dynamic and Timeless
The Oyster Perpetual provides a clear and accurate time display – hours, minutes and seconds. The different versions of the watch stand out with dials in subtle or vibrant colours, whether it is a sophisticated silver, bright blue or bright black dial in a sunray finish, or an eye-catching candy pink, turquoise blue or green lacquer dial. The Oyster Perpetual comes in five sizes – 28, 31, 34, 36 and 41 mm – providing the largest choice of diameters for a Rolex range.
The models are paired with a three-piece link Oyster bracelet, which is secure and comfortable. It is equipped with a folding Oysterclasp and the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by Rolex, that enables the wearer to adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm.
The Oyster Perpetual is made exclusively of Oystersteel. Specially developed for Rolex, Oystersteel belongs to the 904L steel family – alloys that are most commonly used in high technology. Oystersteel is extremely resistant to corrosion, offers an exceptional finish once polished and maintains its sheen over time.
Reliability and Precision
The Oyster Perpetual’s case is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that grants only certified Rolex watchmakers access to the movement. Another core component in the watertight structure is the Twinlock winding crown that is fitted with a double waterproofness system and screws down securely against the case.
Depending on its size, the Oyster Perpetual is equipped with either calibre 2232 (for models in 28, 31 and 34 mm) or calibre 3230 (for models in 36 and 41 mm), self-winding mechanical movements entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. They offer outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, resistance to shocks, convenience and reliability.
Superlative Chronometer Certification
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, according to its own criteria. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
VISIT RAZNY JEWELERS TO DISCOVER FIRSTHAND THE OYSTER PERPETUAL COLLECTION
As an Official Rolex Jeweler, we are the only retailers allowed to sell Rolex watches. With the necessary skills and technical know-how, we will help you make the choice of a lifetime.
