Ah Rolex, a brand as much maligned as it is adored, but what is certain is that it does not leave one indifferent. It is a brand whose aficionados can take on several faces. First, there are people for whom having a Rolex is an achievement, the sign of professional success linked to the notion of money. Then, there are those who are starting out, who begin to wander in the meanders of watchmaking, and who without realizing it see their subconscious penetrated by Rolex witchcraft. And then there are the enthusiasts, who after long moments of investigation discover in the brand the history of human conquests but also an undeniable accuracy of execution. And finally there are the detractors, those who fight relentlessly against this immeasurable supremacy erected by the wizards of marketing, and who frankly do not understand why such banal watches unleash so much passion. If I am honest, I must admit that at one time or another I had to be a bit of all of these at once, sometimes perhaps at the same time, and there is a chance that this will continue to evolve in the future. In short, let's not philosophize any longer, Dialicious is the platform for real customer reviews so I will give mine on my Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41mm blue sunray dial.
Personally, I have always loved the brand and today I am one of those who recognize its timeless models, a source of inspiration, and made with great rigor. Even if in the meantime I have chosen to acquire other models, I knew that one day I would have the brand with the crown in my collection. It is with this state of mind that I set out in search of an Oyster Perpetual blue dial in 41mm. Why an OP? Because it is the essence of Rolex, an extremely simple and effective watch, whose shape and bracelet have inspired hundreds of models and which therefore finds itself drowned in the mass. It could have written anything on the dial: Omega, Seiko, Citizen or even any microbrand. When I brought it home, they told me: "I don't understand how you can spend so much money and be so passionate about such a banal watch." Well, precisely for this reason, because apart from a trained eye, no one will recognize it.
Even if I wanted it, I am one of those who refuse to pay more than necessary and I don't buy my watches second-hand. I wanted my OP, but I wasn't ready to buy it 20% more than the retail price. Even if we have to be honest, the inaccessible side reinforces the desire... After having suffered several refusals (more or less polite) at different ADs, a friend accompanied me to see his. He is a good customer with more than ten watches purchased including 4 Rolexes. It was in May 2024, and even if the seller was polite, I did not have too many illusions. I continued to converse with him by checking in regularly. At the beginning of July, he offered me an OP 41 black dial that I refused: "Didn't you understand? I told you a BLUE". No problem! And finally 2 months later it arrived. Exactly! 2 weeks later I celebrated my 10th wedding anniversary and I took the opportunity to have it engraved for the occasion. I tried to glean some information on the conditions of my allocation. It is clear that the fact of being recommended worked in my favor. And apparently, 3 customers would have been served before me. I won't know more about the twists and turns of the waiting lists!
Now that I have it, what do I think of it? I'll let you go see my other reviews to evaluate my points of comparison. But what I like in objects beyond the design is the quality of manufacture, the attention to detail. I pay the price but not just for style, I have to perceive all the meticulousness in the design and production.
Even if the Rolex codes have been copied and recopied, I find it distinctive, particularly through the shape of the case, the bracelet and the case back. At first glance, you can confuse it, but this is no longer the case when you look at it in detail. Then what I love is its precision of execution. You can see that all the parts have been thought together to form a whole, and with surgical precision. It's a bit like with German cars, not always the most fun but my goodness it's well done! The details that particularly illustrate my feelings: the back and in particular the case/strap junction, the sensation of winding the crown which is both smooth and precise, the buckle clip which closes and the ROLEX letters engraved on the flange perfectly aligned with the railway. Once the crown is screwed in, I'm even lucky enough to have the logo aligned. Frankly, all this is fabulously well done. The only point that I don't like too much (but thinking about it I don't really see any other solution) is the gap between the bezel and the end-link of the bracelet. Ah this bracelet... I'm going to say something banal but seriously, the Oyster is a killer. Just the right width at the lugs and refinement at the buckle, incredible wearing comfort and a softness of the Oystersteel which heats up on contact with the skin. No really, it is incomparable. The sunburst of the dial makes it go from azure blue to dark blue, it is well accompanied by its thick circled indexes and the applied logo. At first I was not particularly a fan of the double batons at 3, 6 and 9 o'clock but in the end they remind you that it is not a Tsuyosa that you have on your wrist (without wanting to offend anyone). The bezel, the edges of the case and the bracelet are polished. I could have done without it on the sides of the case. But it makes a bit of shine that goes well with the indexes. Finally, it is true that the Oystersteel pulls slightly on the titanium and I find its color really cool.
I was going to forget 2 points that disappointed me: when I unscrew the crown, I sometimes have to (not all the time) screw it back a quarter turn to release the crown spring. Since it is not permanent, it gives a mixed feeling. The second point is the spring noise of the buckle that I don't find very pleasant. I had it checked by my AD, from his point of view everything is normal. So obviously it's not serious but after what I said about my attachment to the quality of manufacture, it alters my general enthusiasm a little.
To conclude, it may still be the novelty effect but I think that my OP will be on the podium of my most worn watches. So there you have it, whatever one thinks of the brand, one must objectively recognize the care taken in the design and production. Nothing has been sacrificed, everything has been thought out. I bought it for its simplicity and its quality of execution and I am not disappointed. If I were on the couch, I would call it "Surgical"!
