The Essence of Rolex
Today I am wearing the discontinued OP39 in white. I was lucky to get it right out of the window of my AD in May 2019. I love this watch much more than my professional models.
For me this is the essential Rolex. It has everything what Rolex represents. It is clean, minimalistic and just perfect. No added useless functions, robust and fit all purposes design. In find it is the legitimate descendent of the OP Sir Edmund Hillary has worn on the Mount Everest (2nd picture, displayed in the Beyer Watch Museum in Zürich).
The off-white dial has a nice contrast to the white super-luminova indices and the 11 same sized indices built a ring that pushes the appearance of the center portion of the dial. I also like the clean baton hands better than the mercedes hands. Compared to a professional Rolex it has also less text which gives the dial some negative space instead of showing the spec sheet on the dial. Compared to a Datejust it lacks the awful cyclops and the almost all brushed finish makes it not that blingy. The only downside is the lacking easy-link adjustment, that I miss in the summer.
For my wrist the 39 is best fitting. I can also wear the 36 but the 41 is to large. I find both not that well proportioned, the 41 is to wide itself and at the the 36 bracelet is to wide, it has the same width as on the OP39 (20mm), while the same sized Explorer has only 19mm, which I find better proportioned.
However I am for sure on a list for the yellow OP36 :)
Collecting simple watches with 2 to 3 hands from Switzerland and Germany. Proud member of Berlin Watch Circle: instagram.com/berlin_watch_circle/
Beautiful watch! And I agree with you 100%
I'm a huge fan of the OP. The first watch I bought when I started getting seriously interested in watches was a silver dial OP36 which I purchased in fall of 2018. I was able to get a small discount, and walked out with it on my first visit to the AD. I'm still glad to have that watch as part of my collection, but the contrast of the white gold hands against the silver dial makes it difficult to read in many lighting situations. Your white dial version appears to be much more legible. Also, I've discovered that I much prefer watches in the 39-40mm range, which is the sweet spot for my 170mm (6.75") wrist.
Love the discontinued OPs without double baton indexes at 3, 6 and 9. Much cleaner and less busy.
The 39s with the single batons also look very classic on straps 👌 Its a watch that will age very well
Beautiful watch! And I agree with you 100%
I'm a huge fan of the OP. The first watch I bought when I started getting seriously interested in watches was a silver dial OP36 which I purchased in fall of 2018. I was able to get a small discount, and walked out with it on my first visit to the AD. I'm still glad to have that watch as part of my collection, but the contrast of the white gold hands against the silver dial makes it difficult to read in many lighting situations. Your white dial version appears to be much more legible. Also, I've discovered that I much prefer watches in the 39-40mm range, which is the sweet spot for my 170mm (6.75") wrist.
a great watch with a kinda different vibe with the silver dial. I can understand why it is not always perfectly legible. But a great watch and even a bit more close to the 36 OP of Sir Edmund Hillary. Maybe 39 - 40 is in general you sweet spot, but the OPs have long lugs, so it doesn't look small on your wrist.
The 39s with the single batons also look very classic on straps 👌 Its a watch that will age very well
completely agree, looks awesome on this brown leather!
I am on the list waiting for an OP. To me it is perfect watch which can be worn anywhere. Great looking watch and I love the white dial - classy!
That is very nice, classic lines
OP39 white dial is crisp ✨
Indeed the best of rolex, in particularly appropriate when rolex watches are so popular these days.
i wear the op way more often than the professional models. I had the bracelet removed so it looks even more discreet.
Indeed the best of rolex, in particularly appropriate when rolex watches are so popular these days.
i wear the op way more often than the professional models. I had the bracelet removed so it looks even more discreet.
oh that's a nice version! I combines the nice Explorer dial with the baton hands. A pity that it is not anymore in production. I would prefer that over an Explorer, plus it is cheaper :)
The rubber strap makes it even more explorerish :)
I passed on this a few years ago. Now, I wish I would have went for. The white dial Rolex watch is so clean and legible. Timeless look! Great post!