Cover The Oyster Perpetual 36 in Oystersteel, Jubilee motif dial (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)

Two new Rolex Oyster Perpetual versions join the collection, in radiant colour and elegant simplicity

Watchmaking has seen an incredible year with an unprecedented degree of watchmaking, and Rolex is no different. The Crown presented their creations over the past year, headlined by two new versions of the Oyster Perpetual. Tatler Philippines joined this exclusive showcase of these latest pieces and more at the Rolex boutique at Ayala Triangle Garden.

The Oyster is celebrating a milestone of its own, as it marks the 100th year of its decorated existence. It is a symbol of endurance and excellence for which Rolex is always known—and a promise to continuously advance and improve.

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Oyster Perpetual 36

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Above The Jubilee motif was first seen at the tail end of the Seventies (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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Above Ten colors of the Jubilee dial of the Oyster Perpetual 36 (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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Above Close-up of the Jubilee-motif dial of the Oyster Perpetual 36 (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)

While Rolex are undoubtedly masters of precision, and they have proven they can do so in a playful manner. The dial of the Oyster Perpetual 36 is adorned with the Jubilee motif, first seen toward the end of the Seventies. The Rolex name is displayed through several contrasting colourways, creating an impressive collage effect that demanded the utmost skill to produce. The colours are not applied all at once, but one at a time, requiring impeccable control and meticulous attention to detail. The 36mm case, meanwhile, utilises Oystersteel, which boasts anti-corrosive properties that see application in similarly highly technical industries, and is waterproof up to a depth of 100 metres.

Inside beats the in-house calibre 3230, a self-winding mechanical movement that, like all Oysters, places great emphasis on performance and reliability. It uses the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. It is resistant to electric shocks, strong magnetic fields and impressively power-efficient, thanks to its barrel architecture—a true, robust Oyster, through and through.

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Oyster Perpetual 41

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Above The Oyster Perpetual 41 in Oystersteel and yellow Rolesor symbolises the celebration of the 100 years of the Oyster; the reflection of the first Oyster is seen in the water (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)
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Above On the slate dial—a new colour for the Oyster Perpetual range—the inscription ‘100 years’ appears at the 6 o’clock in place of the usual ‘Swiss Made’ marking (Photo: courtesy of Rolex)

The Oyster Perpetual 41 celebrates the series’ legacy in a simple yet profound way: examine what makes an Oyster the pinnacle of watchmaking, and refine it to the very limit. The quintessential Rolex watch is now in a yellow Rolesor version, which reinterprets the iconic two-material combination that pairs the bezel and winding crown in yellow gold with an Oystersteel bracelet. The latter utilises an Oysterclasp and the Easylink comfort extension link, allowing for easy adjustment at the wearer’s convenience. Indeed, it needs very little of anything else. It is watchmaking at its finest.

Motifs and details that echo the Oyster’s 100th anniversary are quite evident. The number 100 is seen on the winding crown, while a similar inscription is located right below the six o’clock. While the Oyster Perpetual 41 has endeavoured to adopt a largely bichromatic colour scheme, Rolex’s recognisable green is found on the squares at every five-minute interval and on the lettering underneath the twelve o’clock.

Like its sibling, it is powered by the calibre 3230, bestowing it with the same robust quality, performance and precision that one expects of an Oyster. This is further reinforced by the Superlative Chronometer certification that both versions possess. This distinction is issued to each Rolex watch, whose four testing criteria were recently expanded to seven with the addition of resistance to magnetism, reliability and sustainability.

The Oyster has always adorned the wrists of intrepid explorers, athletes and adventurous spirits. This latest showcase conveyed that this philosophy has not changed, and that Rolex has, and will continue to, reach for the next peak.

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Tobias Jared Tomas
Associate Editor for Branded Content and Tatler GMT, Tatler Philippines
Tatler Asia
Tobias Jared Tomas

About

Tobias wants to write things that make people think, laugh, and reflect. He’s especially proud when he can sneak in a cheeky pop-culture reference or a pun in his titles and articles. 

He possesses a deep love of history, resulting from years of books, games, and museum visits. It was this fascination with the human endeavour that fostered his love of writing, spanning genres, tones, and moods. He one day hopes to write a novel—he just hasn't decided on a genre yet. A certified homebody, you'll often find him on the computer he built himself, binge-watching Seinfeld or House, playing his favourite gacha game, or reading a book.

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Tobias is a features writer that specialises in branded content. Reach out to him at tobias.tomas@tatlerasia.com.