Providing the foundation upon which every other sports Rolex watch is built, the Oyster Perpetual collection has evolved from a relatively obscure offering to one of the most popular collections on the market today. Dating back to 1931, the Oyster Perpetual's history is filled with the epic feats of its wearers, like conquering Everest and setting land speed records. No doubt an iconic timepiece, when Rolex revitalized the collection in September of 2020 with a slew of new colors to brighten up the line, the Oyster Perpetual burst back onto the scene and joined the ranks of Rolex's other sports models as some of the most in-demand timepieces to date.
Here we have on offer a 41mm Oyster Perpetual ref. 124300 from Rolex’s entry-level collection. It features a fresh new bright yellow dial that is undoubtedly reminiscent of the Stella dials on vintage Rolex watches from the ‘70s. This ref. 124300 sports the iconic oyster bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a domed stainless-steel bezel, and a clean time-only dial design. At 41mm, it is arguably on the larger side when it comes to wearability, especially for smaller wrists, but at just 12mm thick the 124300 slides effortlessly and comfortably under a cuff, aided by the smooth polished bezel.
As far as internals go, the latest Oyster Perpetuals feature an upgraded movement with an improved 70-hour power reserve. The automatic cal. 3230 movement offers COSC and Rolex's own in-house Superlative Chronometer testing, which enables it to run at +/- 2 seconds per day. While the Oyster Perpetual might be marketed as an entry-level collection, you can be assured that its internals cut no corners, as you would expect from a top-tier brand with sky-high standards and rich history like Rolex.
Many would argue that the yellow dial may not instinctively go well with many outfits, but I personally believe that this is precisely what makes this watch so special. It is fresh, adventurous, and inviting. It adds a subtle pop of color to any outfit which, contrary to popular belief, makes it very wearable, from suits to casualwear.
This is definitely a Rolex you would not want to miss out on, especially with its resolute nod to its vintage counterparts. I foresee that this Oyster Perpetual will, at some point in the future, evolve into a classic in its own right, just like the Stella dials from the ’70s. Furthermore, with the recent news that this yellow 124300 has been discontinued, the collectibility of this piece will certainly increase, with only a short 2-year production span.
