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Rolex dates its Oyster case to 1926, but the Oyster Perpetual concept came later: it combined that case with the company’s self-winding Perpetual rotor, introduced in 1931. Rolex’s 2026 centenary edition therefore marks 100 years of the Oyster case—not 100 years of the Oyster Perpetual collection.
How the Oyster became the Oyster Perpetual
Rolex’s account of the watch’s history begins in 1926, when it introduced the Oyster, a wristwatch the company describes as waterproof and dustproof. Its explanation of the case design is straightforward: the bezel, case back and winding crown screwed against the middle case to seal the movement inside. Rolex’s history page and its Perpetual technology overview are the company’s own accounts of these milestones, rather than independent historical corroboration.
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Rolex, Pre-loved Oyster Perpetual Black Dial 79160 26mm, Black | Buy on Amazon |
In 1927, Rolex says, swimmer Mercedes Gleitze wore an Oyster during a Channel swim that lasted more than 10 hours, and the watch remained in working order. The company used the swim and its advertising to make the Oyster’s waterproofness a public story. Rolex reproduces Gleitze’s words on its history page about the swim: “The reason I wear a Rolex Oyster wristwatch when swimming is because it is the only watch I know that is absolutely waterproof and also immune to damage from sand or salt air.”
Rolex dates its self-winding Perpetual rotor to 1931. The rotor turns with the wearer’s wrist movement, winding the watch; Rolex describes the combination of this mechanism and the Oyster case as the origin of the Oyster Perpetual concept. In short, the Oyster is the case milestone, while “Perpetual” refers to the self-winding mechanism that joined it later.
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What the 2026 centenary edition includes
Rolex describes a special yellow Rolesor Oyster Perpetual for the centenary, available in 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm sizes. The commemorative markers include “100” on the winding crown and “100 years” in place of “Swiss Made” at 6 o’clock. These details celebrate the Oyster case’s centenary.
The official 36 mm brochure describes an Oystersteel and yellow-gold watch with a slate dial. On that model, “100 years” appears at 6 o’clock, while the Rolex name and small squares on the minute track are green. Rolex calls the steel-and-gold combination Yellow Rolesor.
Do not assume the 36 mm brochure’s dial description applies identically to the 31 mm and 41 mm versions. Rolex’s centenary page identifies all three sizes, but the information here does not establish that every dial detail is shared across them.
Choosing among the commemorative versions
The most useful points to compare are case size, materials, dial details and whether you want the anniversary markings. Rolex identifies 31 mm, 36 mm and 41 mm centenary sizes, and the 36 mm brochure specifies Oystersteel, yellow gold and a slate dial. The exact details for a particular size should be checked against that model’s own information.
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- Pre-Loved Condition: Excellent; Faint scratching to back of case
- 26mm
- Made in Switzerland
- Oysterclasp Closure
- Signature upon delivery required
The available Rolex material does not establish current prices, stock or allocation. It also does not provide a complete specification comparison across all centenary references, so those details should not be inferred from the 36 mm brochure.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the Oyster Perpetual’s water rating means in use
Rolex’s user guide says the Oyster Perpetual’s Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres (330 feet) when the winding crown is fully screwed down. The rating is a manufacturer guarantee under that condition, not a promise that every watch remains waterproof indefinitely or that every activity at that depth is risk-free.
- Do not unscrew the crown underwater.
- After contact with sea water, rinse the watch with fresh water to remove salt and sand.
- For routine cleaning, Rolex describes using a microfibre cloth.
These instructions appear in Rolex’s watch-care guide.
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