Rolex Oyster

As Waterproof as an Oyster

The Rolex Oyster celebrated its premiere in 1926 and owes its name to the special construction of its case, which consists of a middle section with a screw-down back and bezel, and a crown with a screw thread, all of which – just like the mollusk for which it was named – hermetically protects the watch against the ingress of water and dust.

To this day, Rolex equips almost all of its watches with an Oyster case. In this sense, all Rolex watches belong to the Oyster family, except for timepieces in the Cellini and 1908 collections.

Which models belong to the Rolex Oyster collection?

The Oyster collection includes the original Rolex Oyster, Oyster Royal, Oyster Speedking, and Oyster Precision. What all these watches have in common is that they are vintage timepieces powered by manual calibers. Another common feature is their relatively small size by today's standards, ranging from 22 to 36 mm, making them perfect unisex watches.

The differences between each series are subtle. The Rolex Oyster Royal, for example, was one of the first wristwatches to feature a central seconds hand, while the Oyster Speedking has a rather sportier look. The design of the Oyster Precision, on the other hand, is very similar to that of modern Rolex watches like the Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, and Day-Date.

What's the Rolex Oyster made of?

Older models of the Rolex Oyster from the 1930s and '40s are primarily made of yellow or rose gold, while more modern versions, especially the Oyster Precision, are usually made of stainless steel.

What's the difference between the Oyster and the Oyster Perpetual?

The Oyster Perpetual has been an independent collection since 1950. Its design is similar to that of the Oyster Precision, but Rolex equips the Oyster Perpetual with an automatic movement. Both watches are made of stainless steel and represent an excellent entry point into the world of Rolex.

The Oyster Perpetual is popular with Rolex fans because of its relatively low price. The watch comes in sizes ranging from 28 to 41 mm, which means there's a version to fit every wrist. Rolex also allows wearers to choose from a wide selection of dial options, with colors ranging from standard black, white, or silver to red, green, blue, pink, and turquoise. The line also offers the "Celebration Dial," which resembles colorful confetti.

How much does a Rolex Oyster cost?

Prices for a vintage Rolex Oyster range from about 1,000 to 4,400 USD. At the low end of this spectrum are stainless steel models such as the Oyster Precision ref. 6410, while older gold models like ref. 2081 sit at the high end.

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is the modern alternative to these vintage models. Depending on the variant, plan to spend between 7,400 and 18,000 USD for a mint-condition timepiece from the current collection.

Rolex Oyster: Prices at a Glance

FAQs

What does "Oyster" mean?

The "Oyster" is a special case design developed by Rolex in the 1920s to make watches water- and dustproof. The main feature of these watches is that the case back, bezel, and crown are all screwed down to the case.

What's the wait time for a Rolex Oyster?

Since the Rolex Oyster is a vintage watch, models are only found on the secondary market. On Chrono24, more than 100 well-maintained specimens are always available for immediate purchase. Depending on the model, waiting times for modern successor collections such as the Oyster Perpetual can be several months in brick-and-mortar stores.