The Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 “Celebration” (reference 126000) is the more restrained, steel take on playful color; the white-gold Day-Date 36 “Jigsaw Puzzle” (reference 128239) turns the dial and calendar into a more elaborate, expressive display. The choice comes down to whether you prefer colorful bubbles and a simpler presentation or enamel puzzle pieces, gemstone hour markers, and words and emojis in place of the usual calendar indications.
At a glance: Celebration vs. Jigsaw Puzzle
| Feature | Oyster Perpetual Celebration | Day-Date Jigsaw Puzzle |
|---|---|---|
| Compared reference and size | 126000, 36 mm | 128239, 36 mm |
| Case material in this comparison | Oystersteel | White gold |
| Dial design | Colored bubble shapes, drawing on the vivid Oyster Perpetual lacquer colors introduced in 2020 | Multicolored puzzle-piece motif made with champlevé enameling |
| Distinctive display | Playful dial design without the unusual word-and-emoji calendar described for the Day-Date | Inspirational words in the day aperture and emojis in the date aperture |
| Main appeal | Colorful design in a comparatively simple steel Oyster Perpetual presentation | Decorative craft, precious metal, and an unconventional calendar display |
The comparison is based on the two versions discussed by Fratello’s 2023 Sunday Morning Showdown. Rolex’s current production status, prices, and availability for these references are not established here.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. Perpetual Puzzle by Tenyo - Trick | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
How the dials express color differently
Oyster Perpetual Celebration: bubbles on a steel watch
The Celebration dial arranges colored bubble shapes across the face. The 2023 comparison connects its palette to the five vivid Oyster Perpetual lacquer dial colors introduced in 2020. The effect is playful, but its design language remains simpler than the Jigsaw Puzzle’s: the colors create a graphic motif rather than a field of individually colored puzzle pieces.
The Celebration design was described in 31 mm, 36 mm, and 41 mm sizes. This comparison concerns the 36 mm Oyster Perpetual, reference 126000, in Oystersteel.
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Day-Date Jigsaw Puzzle: enamel pieces and gemstone markers
The white-gold version in the comparison uses turquoise as its primary color, with additional hues in the puzzle-piece motif. That pattern is created with champlevé enameling. Ten baguette-cut sapphires in six hues serve as hour markers, adding another layer of color and detail.
The result is visually denser than the Celebration dial. The source describes legibility qualitatively, not through a standardized test, so there is no objective measurement here to establish which is easier to read in particular lighting or at a glance.
The Day-Date makes its calendar part of the design
The Jigsaw Puzzle’s most unusual feature is not only its enamel dial: it changes what the Day-Date’s calendar displays. Instead of a conventional day name, the day aperture shows one of seven words: “Happy,” “Eternity,” “Gratitude,” “Peace,” “Faith,” “Love,” or “Hope.” The date aperture uses one of 31 exclusive emojis. These details are reported in Fratello’s 2026 retrospective.
That makes the calendar an expressive element of the watch rather than a purely conventional readout. The Celebration offers a colorful dial, but it does not have the word-and-emoji display that distinguishes this Day-Date.
Materials, size, and the kind of watch each is
Both compared watches are 36 mm, but they occupy different material and design territory. The Oyster Perpetual Celebration is the Oystersteel option, pairing a colorful dial with the collection’s more straightforward presentation. The Jigsaw Puzzle discussed here is the white-gold Day-Date 36, a precious-metal watch whose dial and calendar are intentionally more elaborate.
The 2023 comparison also described the Jigsaw Puzzle Day-Date in yellow gold and Everose gold. That is historical reporting about the versions described at the time, not confirmation that those variants—or any of the references—remain in production or available today.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which one should you choose?
Choose the Oyster Perpetual Celebration if…
- You want a colorful Rolex dial with a relatively simple graphic motif.
- You prefer the compared watch’s Oystersteel case over the Day-Date’s white gold.
- You like the contrast between the Oyster Perpetual’s traditionally understated image and the Celebration dial’s vivid bubbles.
Choose the Day-Date Jigsaw Puzzle if…
- You want the dial’s craft and detail to be a central part of the watch’s appeal.
- The champlevé enamel, multicolored puzzle pieces, and sapphire markers are more compelling to you than the bubble design.
- You value the distinctive words-and-emojis calendar display as well as the precious-metal case.
In Fratello’s 2023 editorial showdown, Ben favored the Oyster Perpetual Celebration, while Jorg backed the Day-Date Jigsaw Puzzle. Those are the contributors’ preferences, not a consensus or an objective performance result. Their disagreement reflects the real choice: the Celebration’s playful color in a simpler steel watch versus the Jigsaw Puzzle’s more involved dial, calendar, and precious-metal character.
What is not established about availability or price
The cited material does not establish whether either reference is currently in production, discontinued, available through an authorized Rolex dealer, or offered at a particular price. It also does not establish current secondary-market values or stock. Treat availability and price as time-sensitive, and verify them directly with Rolex or a named seller before making a purchase decision.
Rolex’s reason for creating the Jigsaw Puzzle dial has not been publicly explained, according to the 2026 retrospective. Its broader purpose, intended audience, or connection to a particular event should therefore not be presented as fact.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
