Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Why We Love It The Oyster Perpetual is a perfect entry into the mega brand that is Rolex. With its refined case, characteristic engine-turned steel bezel and iconic bracelet, there's a lot to like about the Reference 1007 At a modest 34mm, the watch wears well on the wrist without being too intrusive, something we will never stop loving about vintage pieces. The dial on this piece is a dark grey sunburst, which reflects the light in different ways depending on the viewing angle. And the tritium luminous indices and hands have aged absolutely beautifully.  If you're looking for a subtle but elegant entry into Rolex ownership, this Reference 1007 absolutely fits the bill! The Story Rolex first patented the Oyster case in 1925, but the quest for a waterproof and dust-proof case began shortly before the First World War. The cases of the Great War and the early 1920s came in two or three pieces with an inner case that shielded the movement (then a manual-wind movement) from the wet, dusty conditions of the battlefield. The Oyster case of 1925 represented the culmination of ten years of development. It gained notoriety in 1927, when Mercedes Gleitze became the first British woman to swim across the English Channel, wearing - you guessed it - a Rolex. A series of advertisements followed, featuring smiling flappers holding their Rolexes in fishtanks. As with the Oyster case, the Perpetual movement saw many iterations before finally being perfected in the 1930s. Rolex's first automatic movement quietly debuted in 1931, without the fanfare that followed the introduction of the Oyster case. The movement was met with some consternation from purists who decried the "extreme novelty" of a self-winding watch. Nevertheless, Rolex could see that they had struck gold with the Perpetual movement. They continued to develop and improve it over the years, establishing a line of watches that would stand as an alternative to Rolex's sportier models.   The Oyster Perpetuals of the 1960s and 1970s remain some of Rolex's best-loved timepieces. Elegant, with clean lines, the watches are nevertheless sturdy, coming in stainless steel or 18k yellow or pink gold. Meant to be worn every day, the Oyster Perpetual combines elegant looks with rugged dependability.