In 2026, the centenary of the Oyster, the first waterproof wristwatch Rolex ever produced, the brand has chosen the Oyster Perpetual to carry the weight of that milestone. Of all the new references unveiled this year, the Oyster Perpetual 36 makes the most visually arresting statement: a multicolored lacquered dial built around a reimagined Jubilee motif that spells out the letters of the name “Rolex” across no fewer than ten colors.
It reads immediately as bold, even joyful. But executing it is anything but simple. Each color is applied separately, one after the other, with a precision that demands every shape and letter land exactly in place. The result is a dial that manages to feel simultaneously graphic and refined—a dial that earns its place on the most elemental watch Rolex makes.
The 36mm Oystersteel case is unchanged in its essentials: hermetically sealed, waterproof to 100m, and fitted with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Inside sits Calibre 3230, delivering approximately 70 hours of power reserve and carrying the brand’s newly strengthened Superlative Chronometer certification, updated in 2026 to include reliability, sustainability, and resistance to magnetic fields. This piece is a centenary watch wearing a party dress. It suits the occasion.
