Known as the President’s Watch, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is arguably the world’s best known and loved watch brand. Watch lovers who appreciate classic and highly versatile styling in a watch recognize the Oyster as an esteemed model due to its curving lugs and a broad bezel, making a harmonious impression. This is a watch that can be worn on every occasion and its design goes well with every outfit and activity. So what really makes the Rolex Oyster stand out and legendary?
About Rolex Oyster Perpetual
The Oyster was invented in 1926 and it was the first waterproof wrist watch. Hans Wildorf, the founder of the Oyster, believed that a wristwatch could be as reliable and as indispensable as the pocket watch. With that in mind, he invented the patented case system which included a winding crown, case back and screw-down bezel. In order to convince the world that his creation was durable and waterproof, he equipped a young professional lady swimmer on a 10 hour swim across the English Channel. True to his word, the watch remained in perfect working condition, making the Oyster legendary. In 1931, the Oyster became the first watch to have a self-winding mechanism to ensure the watch’s water resistant feature would not be compromised.
The Oyster is known as the symbol of excellence and over the years, this iconic watch has been spotted on several US presidents; a clear symbol of power and status. Apart from being a powerful aura of prestige beyond its primary functions, the Oyster is irresistibly attractive. According to recent study, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the most popular brand from Rolex and most sought after than other Rolex timepiece.
To really understand what makes the Oyster legendary and incredible, let’s take a look at some of its unique characteristics.
Key Features of The Rolex Oyster Perpetual
What makes the Oyster a wise investment? This watch is an incredibly well made timepiece that can last for a lifetime. It continues to gain value even as the years go on. Some of the unique features that make the Oyster stand out include:
- The Oyster Case
The Oyster is built with a unique watch case that boasts excellence both in function and form. Whether the Oyster is constructed in gold, steel or platinum, it still remains to be robust and waterproof. Manufactured in 1926, The Oyster’s case was the world’s first waterproof case for a wristwatch.
- The Stainless Steel
When it comes to steel, there are different grades and types which vary in hardness and quality. What makes the Oyster special is that it is made from a special type of steel known as 904L. This steel is expensive and rare and it is known for its durability. Most watches are made from a steelknown as 316L which is of lower standard compared to the 904L steel. Only Rolex is known to manufacture its watches using this special type of steel.
- The Date Magnification
The Rolex Oyster has a date function that features a bubble magnification called the Cyclops. The Cyclops has a magnification of 2.5 times, a magnification that cannot be found in any other watch. It is positioned over the date display of the watch.
- The Movement
The movement in the Oyster is made up of hundreds of carefully manufactured components. The manufacturing process of the Oyster takes longer than ordinary watches. Rolex believe is quality and efficiency and that why all its products guarantee long-term high performance. The Oyster undergoes through an intricate “exacting” process, making its movement a certified Swiss chronometer.
- The Manufacturing Process
Rolex creates everything in-house and it takes about one year just to create a single Rolex Oyster. Every component found in the Oyster goes through rigorous testing process to ensure that the final product is perfect before leaving the factory.
Summary
Since its inception, the Oyster has maintained its reputation for excellence and has gone further to set watchmaking standards. With time, the Oyster has been improved and bears other innovations such as self-winding by means of the perpetual rotor. The aesthetics of the Oyster Perpetual model sets it apart as a symbol of universal and classic style. Its version stands out with sporty colors and eye-catching dials and is available in different sizes.