Oyster Perpetual 41mm

marcn · Apr 7, 2022

Oyaoik
I had the 36 green op (which is still available^^) and u could really tell that these are entry level pieces. The bracelet clasp for example, felt rattling and unrefined. My explorer 39 feels miles ahead in terms of quality.

Great investments maybe, but as a watch nothing special imo.

Couldn't disagree more.

Different clasp on the OP 36 vs Explorer, yes, but everything is entirely solid, and in no way feels or looks "miles behind" on quality as you suggest. In fact getting the 36 OP convinced me I had to put the 36 Explorer on my wishlist with my AD.

Oyaoik · Apr 8, 2022

marcn
Couldn't disagree more.

Different clasp on the OP 36 vs Explorer, yes, but everything is entirely solid, and in no way feels or looks "miles behind" on quality as you suggest. In fact getting the 36 OP convinced me I had to put the 36 Explorer on my wishlist with my AD.

I dont understand. The new exp 36and op have completely different clasps. How are they compareable? I mean the exp tapers more and has the lovely professional model clasp.

Im glad u have both 39 and the new 36 mm. I have been toying with the idea of selling my 39 when (if lol) I get the call for the 36 but probably gonna keep them both 😁

bombaywalla · Apr 8, 2022

Op 41 still scarce. My AD says they are on allocation & get what they get.

marcn · Apr 8, 2022

Oyaoik
I dont understand. The new exp 36and op have completely different clasps. How are they compareable? I mean the exp tapers more and has the lovely professional model clasp.

Yes, the clasps are totally different. Your post was talking about quality of the OP's clasp feeling rattly and unrefined, you weren't talking about taper or clasp locks. Perhaps you're exceedingly unlucky, but I find everything about the build quality of my OP 36, from watch head down to clasp, has fit-and-finish entirely inline with all my other modern Rolexes.

Nobel Prize · Apr 8, 2022

marcn
Yes, the clasps are totally different. Your post was talking about quality of the OP's clasp feeling rattly and unrefined, you weren't talking about taper or clasp locks. Perhaps you're exceedingly unlucky, but I find everything about the build quality of my OP 36, from watch head down to clasp, has fit-and-finish entirely inline with all my other modern Rolexes.

Same here

Oyaoik · Apr 8, 2022

marcn
Yes, the clasps are totally different. Your post was talking about quality of the OP's clasp feeling rattly and unrefined, you weren't talking about taper or clasp locks. Perhaps you're exceedingly unlucky, but I find everything about the build quality of my OP 36, from watch head down to clasp, has fit-and-finish entirely inline with all my other modern Rolexes.

Yes my impression is that the clasp feels of lower quality than most of the other models. Crown is engraved and to me the overall experience fel unrefined compared to my explorers clasp. Sure, there is a substantial price difference (if bought brand new from an ad as it was intended) which justifies the difference.

But we clearly have different experiences and agree to disagree 😀

marcn · Apr 8, 2022

Oyaoik
Yes my impression is that the clasp feels of lower quality than most of the other models. Crown is engraved and to me the overall experience fel unrefined compared to my explorers clasp. Sure, there is a substantial price difference (if bought brand new from an ad as it was intended) which justifies the difference.

But we clearly have different experiences and agree to disagree 😀

I enthusiastically agree that you're entitled to your opinion, and to be sure, I have no mission to alter your perceptions. Having said that, context matters, since it sounds like your opinions come from a recollection of an experience.

I have an OP 36 and the two most recent Explorer 1 versions all on my desk. The 39 Exp 1 is now 5-years old and is "semi-retired, in storage", but the other two are less than 6-months old, in regular rotation, bought new from my AD, and I wear the crap out of my watches.

The OP's clasp has a very similar hinged lip and internal hook grasp mechanism to the Exp 1. The OP is solid, reliable, doesn't rattle, doesn't give anything close an impression of being some manifestation of a cost-savings shortcut of a clasp. The bracelets on modern steel Rolexes are frankly awesome, in my opinion, and my OP is totally up to that standard. Something you'll have to take on faith: I'm no Rolex fanboy; If I had any grievance with the OP, I would be incapable of holding back.

OP's crown logo looks to be debossed into the clasp, and not engraved as you mentioned, but I get the gist of your comment about that. (Engraving would leave tool marks, I'd expect, and I see none under 10x loupe.) Did debossing give Rolex a minuscule cost savings? Probably. You feel debossing is therefore "unrefined" and that's as valid as not caring at all about that detail. But I can see no mechanical or quality issues at all with my OP, nor have I any grievances at all with the watch that I've owned and worn since getting it. It's been solid. It's been great, and a fun size and color to wear.

You recall a different experience, and that's valid as far as a recollection can go.

Oyaoik · Apr 8, 2022

marcn
I enthusiastically agree that you're entitled to your opinion, and to be sure, I have no mission to alter your perceptions. Having said that, context matters, since it sounds like your opinions come from a recollection of an experience.

I have an OP 36 and the two most recent Explorer 1 versions all on my desk. The 39 Exp 1 is now 5-years old and is "semi-retired, in storage", but the other two are less than 6-months old, in regular rotation, bought new from my AD, and I wear the crap out of my watches.

The OP's clasp has a very similar hinged lip and internal hook grasp mechanism to the Exp 1. The OP is solid, reliable, doesn't rattle, doesn't give anything close an impression of being some manifestation of a cost-savings shortcut of a clasp. The bracelets on modern steel Rolexes are frankly awesome, in my opinion, and my OP is totally up to that standard. Something you'll have to take on faith: I'm no Rolex fanboy; If I had any grievance with the OP, I would be incapable of holding back.

OP's crown logo looks to be debossed into the clasp, and not engraved as you mentioned, but I get the gist of your comment about that. (Engraving would leave tool marks, I'd expect, and I see none under 10x loupe.) Did debossing give Rolex a minuscule cost savings? Probably. You feel debossing is therefore "unrefined" and that's as valid as not caring at all about that detail. But I can see no mechanical or quality issues at all with my OP, nor have I any grievances at all with the watch that I've owned and worn since getting it. It's been solid. It's been great, and a fun size and color to wear.

You recall a different experience, and that's valid as far as a recollection can go.

Keep in mind that we are talking in the context of Rolex watches. Anyone with two or even one eye can tell, that compared to other Rolex models (especially the professional ones) the clasp of an op is less refined and less luxurious. And small details do matter in my opinion, especially when people are paying 2-3x or whatever times retail for these. But dont get me wrong: it is a great piece for the money at retail
and great quality overall.

marcn · Apr 8, 2022

Oyaoik
Anyone with two or even one eye can tell, that compared to other Rolex models (especially the professional ones) the clasp of an op is less refined and less luxurious.

Seems like this has deviated from the original premise of a rattly clasp (measurable) to something a bit more intangible. Look, it's 100% cool if you don't like the OP line. I mean, does it matter either way? I can only report on my experiences. Watch is great. Love it, even the clasp. Wear it often. No issues at all. Size is awesome for my 6.5" wrist. Wished the hands were more Explorer-like, hence the pick-up of that one!

Go ahead and have at theorizing what a cohort of sighted or partially sighted people might perceive as being within their consensus thresholds for 'luxury' and 'refinement'. Just a bit squishy, as far as arguments go, no?

Oyaoik · Apr 8, 2022

marcn
Seems like this has deviated from the original premise of a rattly clasp (measurable) to something a bit more intangible. Look, it's 100% cool if you don't like the OP line. I mean, does it matter either way? I can only report on my experiences. Watch is great. Love it, even the clasp. Wear it often. No issues at all. Size is awesome for my 6.5" wrist. Wished the hands were more Explorer-like, hence the pick-up of that one!

Go ahead and have at theorizing what a cohort of sighted or partially sighted people might perceive as being within their consensus thresholds for 'luxury' and 'refinement'. Just a bit squishy, as far as arguments go, no?

In my humble opinion (and yes I do think that the differences are indeed noticeable) the quality of an op clasp looks and feels inferior to the quality of a professional model clasp (say an explorer). If u dont believe there is a difference it is completely ok. The reason I originally brought this up was to remind ppl that this is an entry level piece and not a pinnacle of watch making, as the market prices might indicate.

I think my use of the word "rattling" was inconsiderate and I apologize for that.

bombaywalla · Apr 8, 2022

Oyaoik
In my humble opinion (and yes I do think that the differences are indeed noticeable) the quality of an op clasp looks and feels inferior to the quality of a professional model clasp (say an explorer). If u dont believe there is a difference it is completely ok. The reason I originally brought this up was to remind ppl that this is an entry level piece and not a pinnacle of watch making, as the market prices might indicate.

I think my use of the word "rattling" was inconsiderate and I apologize for that.

@Oyaoik , you've been ranting a while now on the substandard quality of the bracelet -- but to me they are just empty words. Usually when people rant like you are they state specific points to make their point. You have for 3-4 posts now kept on harping about "quality of an op clasp looks and feels inferior to the quality of a professional model clasp" but you have not shown us what a good quality clasp looks like in comparison. A side-by-side comparison in words &/or photos might do well to make your point. Otherwise you are coming across as hot air with an axe to grind.
Show us what you mean when you wrote "quality of an op clasp looks and feels inferior to the quality of a professional model clasp".....Thanks.

Davidt · May 22, 2022

So the Turquoise is only discontinued in 41mm, still available in 34mm and 36mm as is pink. I didn’t realise that until I just checked the Rolex website (not that I want any).

However, the yellow, coral and red are gone across the board.

Nobel Prize · May 22, 2022

it is strange such a short production. I did get the yellow 41 and love it!

johnireland · May 22, 2022

Oyaoik
Rolex has to make a very little amount of these. Which doesnt make any sense to me, because this should be the entry level Rolex compareable to the datejust line - without a date. I wonder if they deliberately make a scarce amount of these or is the demand really that high... I think the prices for these should go down with time, because it doesnt simply make sense that Rolex would want to keep their entry level models as insturments of speculation rather than simple time only watches.

The entry level watch isn't always the least expensive, but rather the most popular. The 36mm DateJust and the slightly less expensiive 34mm Date sold much better than the 34mm OP and AirKing. People often settled for the slightly "less costly" Date models when they just couldn't (or wouldn't) come up with the coin for the DateJust...but the DateJust was the Flagship model and that is why Rolex offerred it in steel, gold and steel, and all gold. The steel DateJust was the "entry level" model. Rolex also had 34mm and 36mm versions of the Explorer series...SCOC for the 36mm and simply Precision for the 34mm. All the OP in those days (with only a few exceptions) were 34mm. Modern watch buyers do seem a different breed to me...more obsessed with size and the need to have a brand name on their wrist. But the simple OP was never the true entry level Rolex. Some buyers have no interest in the day and date functions, nor any of the other bling items. But they are the rarity, and I'd venture that is the major buyer of OPs...a buyer looking for a simple accurate, rugged and durable, and well made time piece. Rolex produces watches for them, but not in the same volume as the feeding frenzy models. Rolex resisted going "big watch" but finally surrendered to market pressure and created the 41s. Nothing of horological significance in it...sort of like the exaggerated Disco fashions in Saturday Night Fever.

Nobel Prize · May 23, 2022

This here is the first "Oyster" (No date) It precedes the Datejust by 19 Years.

Screen Shot 2022-05-23 at 5.09.54 AM.png

I do agree that the Datejust was the flagship model though, No question about it, but "entry-level" does normally mean the least expensive. Not just in watches but pretty much anything.

Flagship and entry-level are two different things. One is the defining item of a brand and the other is the most affordable or attainable item in the brand...or, the least complicated or less demanding all things being equal (Just in general, not just watches). For example, an entry-level chess competition would not be a grandmaster-level international tournament, but rather a local club tournament.

Arguably the Submariner became the flagship Rolex over the Datejust as the most sold and recognizable watch in the brand. Arguably, but not undisputedly.

johnireland · May 23, 2022

I agree that the cheapest of anything is traditionally considered the entry level. But in certain luxury items, the majority of the customers go shopping for what they want, not what they can afford. That can skew the term entry level to mean popular among customers who can afford that product. And in watches, there are also people who do not want complications...not because of cost but because of personal taste. The stainless steel 1018 Rolex OP was often called the business suit Explorer...and was chosen by customers who did not want their watch to be looked at as a sport watch, but more as a dress or business suitable watch. The 1013 OP was for those who wanted an 18k 36mm Rolex but without the day date features...something more like a Patek Calatrava. And they often chose to have the watch on a leather strap rather than a gold or steel bracelet. Cost savings were very rarely the reason...rather personal taste and style.

Oyster Perpetual 41mm

marcn

Oyaoik

bombaywalla

marcn

Nobel Prize

Oyaoik

marcn

Oyaoik

marcn

Oyaoik

bombaywalla

Davidt

Nobel Prize

johnireland

Nobel Prize

johnireland

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