80

To mark 100 years of the Oyster, Rolex has unveiled four new Oyster Perpetual models that celebrate the collection’s rich history through subtle anniversary details, precious metals, and bold dial artistry!

2026 marks the 100-year anniversary of Rolex’s Oyster collection. Introduced in 1926, the Oyster was widely recognised as the world’s first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch. It was given the name Oyster because of the case’s sealed construction, designed to protect the movement like an oyster shell protects its pearl, for what is arguably the world’s first waterproof timepiece.

Rolex proved the Oyster’s waterproof capability on a public scale in 1927, when Mercedes Gleitze wore one while swimming the English Channel, essentially turning the watch into an international talking point. The Oyster Perpetual was born when Rolex combined this iconic Oyster case with the Perpetual rotor, building the foundation for the Oyster Perpetual collection.

The Oyster case became the base architecture for many of Rolex’s most iconic timepieces, including the 1945 release of the Datejust, the first self-winding, waterproof chronometer wristwatch to display the date in a window on the dial, making it another milestone in the Oyster story.

For this grand celebration, Rolex is introducing four new timepieces, including one dedicated specifically to the 100th anniversary.

Oyster Perpetual 41 “100th Anniversary”

The Oyster Perpetual 41 is Rolex’s 100-year anniversary piece, with subtle details marking this special occasion. The 41mm Oyster case is made from a combination of Oystersteel and yellow gold, otherwise known as Yellow Rolesor. Rolex has opted to use its signature Rolesor construction, as it dates back to being used on early Rolex models in the 1930s, and was trademarked as a name in 1933. Rolesor is one of the main pillars of the Oyster Perpetual collection, so it makes perfect sense that Rolex used it for this 100th anniversary model.

The winding crown of the Oyster Perpetual is executed in yellow gold, alongside the domed bezel, reinforcing the watch’s Rolesor construction. The crown features Rolex’s signature emblem, while also carrying the inscription “100”. These two yellow gold elements contrast nicely against the Oystersteel case, and even more so against the slate grey dial, helping to subtly highlight the significance of this anniversary edition.

This slate grey dial also features subtle details that reference the brand’s remarkable 100 years of the Oyster. A key feature of this Oyster Perpetual 41 is, in fact, this slate grey dial, which is a new colour for the Oyster Perpetual range. The dial features a mix of satin-brushed finishing alongside a sunburst effect, which, under different lighting angles, gives off different gradients of grey.

The dial also features a subtle “100 years” beneath the 6 o’clock 18ct gold hour marker. Each five-minute interval on the minute track is marked by a green square, Rolex’s emblematic colour. These are details that don’t scream anniversary edition, but instead offer a more understated tribute to the Oyster’s 100-year milestone.

Oyster Perpetual 28 18ct Yellow Gold

Rolex is honouring the rich history of the Oyster with two models in precious metals. The first is the 18ct yellow gold edition in the 28mm case size. This model features a beautiful green stone lacquer dial, perfectly emblematic of Rolex’s iconic colour. To really drive home this colour palette, the hour markers at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock all feature a natural green stone, which, incidentally, is also a first for Rolex.

Rolex has kept the case of the Oyster Perpetual 28 clean and refined, giving the precious metal construction a more understated character. The Oyster Perpetual 28 features a predominantly satin-finished case and bracelet, with this being the first time Rolex has opted for this finish on Oyster Perpetual models made entirely from precious metals. The bezel, however, features a polished finish, adding a nice contrast to the overall aesthetics.

Beating inside is the Calibre 2232, a movement fitted with a Syloxi hairspring and a paramagnetic nickel-phosphorus escape wheel for greater reliability and stability in everyday wear. The movement is also equipped with Paraflex shock absorbers, which further enhance shock resistance, while the Perpetual rotor provides a power reserve of approximately 55 hours.

Oyster Perpetual 34 18ct Everose Gold

Rolex continues this precious metal duo with the Oyster Perpetual in 18ct Everose gold, offering a warmer and slightly more elegant take on the collection. Just like the Oyster Perpetual 28 above, this edition also features a stone lacquer dial, this time in a stunning blue, which immediately gives the watch its own distinct personality. The hour markers at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock are also made from natural blue stone, dumortierite, making it another first for the brand.

Rolex has kept the case design of the Oyster Perpetual 34 just as clean and restrained, allowing the beauty of the 18ct Everose gold construction to speak for itself. And just like how the green lacquer stone dial complements the 18ct yellow gold beautifully, the 18ct Everose case complements the blue stone lacquer dial, elevating its aesthetics into something far more refined and elegant.

Powering the Oyster Perpetual 34 is Rolex’s Calibre 2232, the same movement found in the Oyster Perpetual 28, which in itself highlights the calibre’s versatility across different case sizes within the collection. Rather than simply being a compact automatic movement, the 2232 shows Rolex’s focus on consistency, allowing the brand to deliver the same level of chronometric performance, reliability and everyday robustness, regardless of whether the watch is worn in a smaller or slightly larger format.

Oyster Perpetual 36 “Celebration Dial”

The fourth and final model in this new Oyster Perpetual collection brings back one of Rolex’s most playful and unexpected designs: the Celebration dial. For 2026, however, it takes a slightly different approach from the previous Celebration dial models, as Rolex has reworked it with a new multicoloured Jubilee motif, revisiting the graphical pattern first introduced at the end of the 1970s.

This is quite a unique take on the Celebration dial, and an artistic one as well, if I may say so. The dial displays the letters of the Rolex name through an interplay of 10 contrasting colours, giving the watch a far more vibrant and expressive personality than what we are certainly used to associating with the Oyster Perpetual collection. Yet, without losing itself in messy artistic work, it still retains the elegance that underpins the whole collection.

This display is housed within the 36mm Oystersteel case, which is grounded in the timeless design language that has long defined the Oyster Perpetual. Rolex’s Oystersteel, which is part of the 904L steel family, is specifically chosen for its exceptional corrosion resistance and ability to maintain a beautiful finish. Paired with the Oyster bracelet, the watch maintains that balance of sportiness, comfort, and everyday wearability. While the bold execution of the dial is certainly the talking point, the Oystersteel case and bracelet ensure that the watch still remains unmistakably Rolex.

Powering this Celebration dial Oyster Perpetual is the brand’s Calibre 3230, which gives this timepiece a step up in performance compared to the Oyster Perpetual 34 and 28 models seen above. With technical features like a paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, the movement is built for reliability, precision and everyday practicality. And with a power reserve of 70 hours, it ensures that this latest Celebration dial is one you can always come back to, ready for daily wear and suited to modern lifestyles.

Initial Thoughts

With these latest Oyster Perpetual releases, Rolex has celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the Oyster in a way that feels refreshing yet bold at the same time. The brand hasn’t gone over the top by introducing something completely new, but has instead subtly refreshed the visual identity of the models through understated details, new materials, and vibrant dial executions. While the Oyster Perpetual 41 is dedicated to the brand’s 100th anniversary of the Oyster, I personally love the execution of the Oyster Perpetual 34, as the Everose gold case and bracelet perfectly complement the deep blue dial to create a very eye-catching timepiece.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ROLEX (@rolex)

But what stands out most about this collection is the variety across the four models. From the understated anniversary touches on the Oyster Perpetual 41, to the more luxurious precious metal executions of the 28 and 34, and finally the playful return of the Celebration dial on the Oyster Perpetual 36, Rolex has covered multiple sides of the collection’s identity, all while offering a range of case sizes to accommodate almost every wrist. This makes the 2026 lineup feel well-rounded, offering something for those who appreciate heritage, elegance and even a touch of bold personality within the Oyster Perpetual range.

Reference: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 100th Anniversary Edition (134303)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $16,150

Availability: Available through Rolex boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head to Rolex.com.au

Reference: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 28 (276208)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $50,350

Availability: Available through Rolex boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head to Rolex.com.au

Reference: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 (124205)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $63,750

Availability: Available through Rolex boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head to Rolex.com.au

Reference: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 (126000)

Specifications:

Australian Retail Price: AUD $11,200

Availability: Available through Rolex boutiques and authorised retailers. For more information, please head to Rolex.com.au