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Is it right for you?
For me and for my collection, this watch – purchased at its retail price – is a great addition. I also feel that it’s a winner for Rolex from a business perspective, enabling the brand to turn a somewhat unappreciated entry-level watch line into one of the hot commodities of the year. It might be just the thing for you if:
- Like me, the lacquered “Stella” look and accompanying lore appeal to you.
- Your personal style extends to wearing bright colors and accents.
- This watch is at an accessible price point for you and you think it’s more fun than other “fun” watches you might buy.
- You appreciate the robust quality and good timekeeping that is front and center with Rolex.
- You have a good enough relationship with your authorized dealer to get an allocation at this point.
Is it for you? Oyster Perpetual 41 from Rolex
On the other hand, you might pass if:
- You have a yacht moored off Capri or a mansion in the Hamptons and can full well afford an original vintage Stella.
- Rolex tradition or no, you see these bright dials as a gimmick (remember, the original Stellas did not sell well at the time they were launched in the 1970s).
- You just aren’t drawn to Rolex as a brand given its scale.
Parting thoughts
In my eclectic watch box, the Oyster Perpetual 41 fits right in: witness the quick shot below of my set of “steel sport” pieces, ranging across brands and decades.
No two alike: the author’s steel sport bracelet watches
I’m also not bashful about wearing bright colors, and for me the turquoise of the Oyster Perpetual 41 is a great complement for some of the pieces of Native jewelry that I wear on a daily basis (more about those, by the way, in Collecting Obsessions: GaryG’s Journey With Native American Jewelry).
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 in turquoise blue with ring by Julian Lovato
And from a photographer’s perspective, this watch is a treat: its legibility to the eye translates into ease of shooting, and the combination of brushed finishes, lacquer dial, and curved bright surfaces reduce issues with blown-out highlights and unwanted reflections.
Is the Oyster Perpetual 41 a long-term keeper for me or will it move to another loving home at some point? Time will tell!
Parting shot: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41 “Stella”
For more information on the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, please visit www.rolex.com/watches/oyster-perpetual.
For more on vintage Rolex Stella watches see www.acollectedman.com/blogs/journal/the-colourful-world-of-rolex-stella-dials and/or www.watchtime.me/life-style/vintage/article/1410/a-brief-history-of-rolex-stella-dial-timepieces.
Quick Facts Rolex Oyster Perpetual 41
Case: 41 mm, steel with monobloc middle case, screwed-down crown and solid case back; sapphire crystal front crystal; waterproof to 100 m
Dial: Stella-style lacquer dials in yellow, green, turquoise blue, and coral red; metallic dials in bright black, bright blue, and silver; applied gold batons and crown logo; printed indices and markings; batons, hour, and minute hands with luminous blue Chromalight
Movement: automatic Caliber 3230, 70-hour power reserve; 28,800 vph/4 Hz frequency; precision +/- 2 seconds per day after casing
Functions: hours, minutes, (hacking) seconds
Price: $5,900 / €5,500
Remark: five-year warranty
* This article was first published on January 16, 2021 at Why I Bought It: Rolex Stella-Inspired Oyster Perpetual 41 With Turquoise Blue Dial
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