The New Rolex Oyster Perpetual in 39mm – Will It Make The Difference?

I like a Rolex to be clean and simple. That’s why I love the Rolex Explorer so much for example. Last year, Rolex introduced some beautiful Oyster Perpetual models in 36mm with amazing looking dials (White Grape, Red Grape and Steel grey). However, at 36mm they are considered small for today’s standards. Some men can get away with it, but I don’t belong to that group I am afraid. My 36mm Datejust gets hardly any wear because it looks so small on my wrists. A pity, as it is a beautiful timepiece. Of course, the Rolex Datejust II would be a perfect alternative.

But not everyone is into a date on the dial of their watch, let alone that they want a cyclops to stick out. Two alternatives were the Rolex Milgauss in 41mm and the Rolex Explorer in 39mm. However, the Milgauss has the odd looking second hand and the Explorer in 39mm isn’t as ‘pure’ as the previous 36mm version according to some.

Now, in 2015, Rolex made it very easy for those who don’t love a lightning-hand or a short minute-hand (Explorer): meet the new 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual. Next to the new Rolex Yachtmaster in Everose gold and the Day-Date 40mm, the 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual might look a bit straight-forward and nothing really new, but I think it is. 39mm is a perfect case size for many people, men and women. I have fairly large wrists but easily get away with a 39mm watch. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a no-nonsense stainless steel Rolex that will suit anyone who doesn’t fancy a date.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a clean looking piece, comes on the famous Oyster bracelet and has the unmistakeable brushed finish on case and bracelet, with polished facets and sides. The watch is made of the 904L stainless steel that Rolex started using with the Sea-Dweller. The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is water resistant to 100 metres / 330 feet and has the Twinlock screw-down crown to ensure this.

Inside, you’ll find Rolex caliber 3132, an in-house developed and manufactured movement that has been chronometer certified by COSC. The dial has the ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’ wording to show you it has this super accurate and certified movement.

The dial of my preference for the 39mm Rolex Oyster Perpetual is this stunning dark rhodium sunray finished one, with small blue accents. The other available dials for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual reference 114300 are blue (with green accents) and ‘Red Grape’ with bright red accents.

I guess the rhodium and blue dial versions are the most masculine variations, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s male demand for the Red Grape Rolex Oyster Perpetual as well.

This Rolex Oyster Perpetual 114300 has a friendly price tag of CHF5400.- Swiss Francs. In my opinion a fair price for a stainless steel manufacture watch of high quality. Admitted, it is a watch with not a single complication, but it’s also a watch that you will never get tired of and as written before, a high-quality watch that will keep its value over time as well. The 39mm diameter makes it a very interesting alternative to the 41mm Datejust and Milgauss models as well as to the smaller 36mm versions. A perfect in-between size that only has to compete with the 39mm Rolex Explorer 214270.

More information can be found here. More images can be found below in the photo gallery.