Everything You Need to Know About Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex Watch

Sometimes we all just want something that can serve us right, no matter the occasion. And when it comes to standing out while retaining that simplistic appeal, watches, particularly the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex, are the master of all. The watch has a design that comes close to perfection-it’s elegantly sporty yet goes perfectly with your business suits or a casual polo shirt.

If you’re looking to invest in an expensive, elegant timepiece and the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex is on your list, this article touches on everything you need to know about it.

The Origin of the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex

The Oyster Perpetual 39 is much more than a luxury watch. It is a piece of history, a collector’s item, and an important part of Rolex’s history as a top brand in the world. The watch traces its origin to 1931 when Rolex became the legal owner of the self-winding movement of watches.

The patented self-winding movement was among the earliest movements to be wound via rotor weight, which moved as the watch’s wearer moved their wrist. The constant winding mechanism gave rise to the name “Perpetual” since it would be wound perpetually.

The Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex was first introduced in 2015 and got a warm reception by Rolex diehards. Most people found the 39mm watch a perfect fit for an entry-level stainless steel sports watch, and it became a darling of many, regardless of wrist size or gender.

Unlike other Rolex models, such as Submariner and Daytona, the Oyster Perpetuals were much easier to acquire as they had fewer restrictions and no waiting time from the authorized dealers.  

What Made The Oyster Perpetual Rolex 39 So Popular?

When the name Rolex is mentioned, what often comes to the mind of many watch enthusiasts is the expensive price tag. But with the Oyster Perpetual, that narrative seemed to take a different turn. In reality, consumers have become accustomed to the thought that quality is directly proportional to cost, which is often true with most products and services.

However, the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex watch is among the least expensive models of Rolex mainstream timepieces. But the surprising thing is that it doesn’t have any discernible difference in its construction when compared to high-end models like Day-date.  It’s a fact that Day-Date is full of hefty gold, but apart from its weight and materials, it portrays similar manufacturing principles as Oyster perpetual 39.  And that’s exactly what made the latter so famous among the most expensive watch enthusiasts.

The 39mm size is considered the perfect size by many people when considering comfort and contemporary appeal. This, combined with the cleanliness of the white dial, OP39 won the hearts of many people and helped steer its popularity even further. Many enthusiasts opt for this watch, knowing that they’ll get virtually similar features common in high-end Rolex watches but at a reduced price.

The Properties Of The Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex

As stated earlier, the OP39 carries many of the same fancy features as the other grand Rolex watches, yet the price is not as expensive. Let’s review some of the notable properties of the OP39 that make it a darling to many expensive timepiece enthusiasts.

Oyster Perpetual 39 models

Rolex created two versions of the Oyster Perpetual 39. One is the standard model, the other one is the Omega version. When you first look at these two versions side by side, you will notice something about the overall shape of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39. The standard model features the traditional Rolex triangle connecting the driver, the balance, and the GMT hand. However, this becomes very important when you see the Omega version. This model features a new and unique concept, which Rolex calls “the space9.” This futuristic design gives a new meaning to the traditional Rolex triangle.

Inside, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 has 20 hours and no Solar Tracker or Electronic Date function. That’s right, this digital screen is not a function on the standard model, it is part of the Omega version. Rolex decided to add this function to differentiate the two versions, and you won’t be able to find it on the standard model.

The second feature that differentiates the two versions is the themed case shape. Omega’s case is round. The standard model’s case is domed sapphire crystal.

The dial

To some, this is just a common white dial watch with no big deal. But that’s far from the truth. In fact, the OP39 is the most thoughtfully built white dial watch ever made by Rolex. The quality is near-metallic, in that when exposed to different light conditions, the dial shows some shades of silver, while in some, a subtle cream shade.

It’s a fact that photographed OP39 cannot capture the personality of this excellent dial. It also features little white gold sarcophagus batons with Chromalight luminous material. The legibility of the white dial is flawless and is made visible even in limited light situations.

The case

The Oyster Perpetual 39 features a slim profile case with elegant lugs to maximize the dial’s visual impact. The case is constructed using high-quality Oysteel (the 904L stainless steel), with polishing on its sides and its domed bezel.

With the twin-lock crowns, you can swim up to 100 meters in water, and they allow for easy aesthetic manipulations. Despite its large visual appeal, the OP39 rests comfortably on the wrists of many people, just like the 36mm Datejust model. That’s why both men and women can comfortably put it on and enjoy its comfortable fit.

Is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 for men or women?

Since it lacks a date window, using the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex watch is simple. The easily unscrewing crown has two extracted points: one to set the hands, and the other for winding the mainspring.  There’s also a convenient stop-seconds feature to halt the balance.

The crown-shaped logo has a horizontal bar that represents the twin-lock crown. Its 100m water resistance rating makes the Oyster Perpetual 39 Rolex offer amazing impermeability to make it an elegant watch for everyday use. All these features, plus many more, make this watch an expensive unisex watch that both men and women can enjoy wearing.

How easy it is to find Oyster Perpetual 39?

Despite the discontinuity of the OP39 by Rolex, is the watch still available in the market? The OP39 is a rare gem, the reason why its price is also somewhat higher now than when Rolex used to produce it.

The Oyster Perpetual 39, together with the Submariner model, were discontinued in August 2020. The former was replaced by a rather similar design, while OP39 was discontinued entirely. The move by Rolex came only two years after its first release to the public, and as such, there were so many variations of the watch on the market.

A larger OP41 model with colorful dials was launched, even though Rolex didn’t mention that it would be a replacement for the 39mm Oyster Perpetual model. Today, OP39 is available in fewer outlets and online stores, hence owning one is a privilege.