Introducing – The 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Reference 124300

When it comes to the classic, all-rounder watch at Rolex, you might easily think about the Datejust 41 – and rightfully so. The DJ is, objectively, one of the best casual/elegant watches on the market. However, there’s another watch in the collection that also perfectly fits the job, a watch that is also more accessible, that doesn’t feature a date, that has a slightly more discreet look and a slimmer case. This watch is the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, and until now you had to go for a 39mm case. Well, for 2020, there’s a new version coming, with the Oyster Perpetual 41 Reference 124300 and its 3230 movement – and yes, it actually replaces the OP 39.

As we showed you in our review of the “polar” Oyster Perpetual 39 reference 114300, this watch is a real classic, elegant and restrained, a bit sporty too – as most Rolex watches. It is simple, not simplistic. It is minimalistic, not minimal. It is clean but far from boring. Admittedly, it is a fairly interesting offer in the collection, often overlooked – the professional models stealing the show… Today, the Crown adds a new version on top of this already large collection – 36mm, 34mm, 31mm or 28mm – with the new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Reference 124300, a.k.a the OP 41.

This new Oyster Perpetual 41 has, as you might have guessed, a 41mm case (apparently the new standard for men’s Rolex) made of brushed and polished Oystersteel. The bezel is flat and polished and the crown is left unprotected on the side of the case. The water-resistance is rated at 100m and the caseback is solid steel. The watch is worn on a classic 3-link Oyster bracelet, closed by the Oysterclasp, which is equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link – to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5mm (practical in summer).

A new model means new dials. And the main novelty here is the addition of coloured lacquered dials – young, bright, vivid that somehow paying tribute to the Stella dial of vintage models. In addition to the two classic models showed here, a nice silver brushed with yellow gold indexes/hands and a classic black dial, the 2020 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 will also be available with solid (not brushed) yellow, turquoise, red or green dials. A blue brushed dial will also be available.

The dial is punctuated by applied indexes in gold – double at 3, 6 and 9 – and with baton hands – all the elements are filled with Chromalight, Rolex’s blue glow luminescent material.

The other predictable novelty concerns the movement, which has been updated to the latest generation calibre 3230, which is shared with the new Submariner 41mm no-date. Equipped with the modern Chronergy escapement, the calibre 3230 has a comfortable power reserve of 70 hours, beats at 4Hz and comes with anti-magnetic properties – thanks to the nickel-phosphorus escapement and blue Parachrom hairspring. It is, of course, a Superlative Chronometer, meaning that is chronometer-certified by the COSC and also receives an internal certification after casing. The precision is of the order of -2 /+2 seconds per day.

The new Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 Reference 124300 will be priced at CHF 5,600 or EUR 5,550, and that regardless of the chosen dial. More details to be found at rolex.com, including the configurator to discover the coloured lacquered dials.