Oyster Perpetual magic
Lately I've been looking for a sportwatch mimicking the OP design. With mimicking I mean it has to have a clean dial with the same kind of applied indices; ofcourse with original elements welcomed.
These days, microbrands and larger brands offer some great alternatives; yet for some unknown reason to me I keep comparing them to the 6k Oyster Perpetual for which I'd have to sell an internal organ to acquire it.
Is there a certain kind of design magic at play here? I dont consider myself to be drawn to big brands per se. Not when there are some very nice alternatives. But what keeps lingering in my thoughts is that thats what they are. Alternatives.
What is it about the OP that other sport watches don't have? I'm curious what you guys think.
Just one more watch...
I just posted this on another thread but I like the look of this and for £770 and a free strap also limited to 150 pieces, seems like great value to me
ow how i love this topic. i like op design too, its the purest form of watch for me. no nonsense and no other complication. i categorized it as the gada watch. here is some selection which i can find, its not exactly the same as op but they have certain interesting charateristic
traska commuter
vaer atlas
san martin op
monta noble
lorier falcon
sinn 556
Seiko SNXS73 there are many colors options.
Rolex street cred 🤣
Kidding aside, many other brands can execute a good enough watch case and dial to substitute the OP. But only a few can compare to the quality of the modern OP bracelet and clasp.
Spec-wise it's also the benchmark for a GADA watch. 100m WR, a screw down crown, robust case/movement/crystal, and a design that can be worn dressy or casually.
Some people nitpick about alternative watches not having 1 or 2 of the above-mentioned specs. Honestly I think the bracelet is where a lot of alternatives fall short. (I'm looking at you, GS)
Rolex street cred 🤣
Kidding aside, many other brands can execute a good enough watch case and dial to substitute the OP. But only a few can compare to the quality of the modern OP bracelet and clasp.
Spec-wise it's also the benchmark for a GADA watch. 100m WR, a screw down crown, robust case/movement/crystal, and a design that can be worn dressy or casually.
Some people nitpick about alternative watches not having 1 or 2 of the above-mentioned specs. Honestly I think the bracelet is where a lot of alternatives fall short. (I'm looking at you, GS)
Must be the street cred then!
From a rational viewpoint, you're right. The others execute a good enough dial to be a substitute. Still I refuse to be a victim to the Rolex marketing machine. Although watching Formula 1 doesn't help 🙄
ow how i love this topic. i like op design too, its the purest form of watch for me. no nonsense and no other complication. i categorized it as the gada watch. here is some selection which i can find, its not exactly the same as op but they have certain interesting charateristic
traska commuter
vaer atlas
san martin op
monta noble
lorier falcon
sinn 556
I hear ya man. Those are some good alternatives. I like the Sinn556 IB variant with applied indices and blue sunray dial.
Ball marvelight is anther good choice but that's starting to get up there in price
Must be the street cred then!
From a rational viewpoint, you're right. The others execute a good enough dial to be a substitute. Still I refuse to be a victim to the Rolex marketing machine. Although watching Formula 1 doesn't help 🙄
The premise for these do-it-all sports watches is they tend to be daily wear for many people. Not necessarily a beater, but rather an adequately comfy, durable, and stylish choice for most occasions.
How frequently will you wear it? How long do you expect to own it? Is this the watch you want to associate with most days of your life? That can put the price and choice of watch into a more long-term perspective.
What is it about the OP? The others don't have this:
Pagani Design?
What is it about the OP? The others don't have this:
A crown!
Yay!
The premise for these do-it-all sports watches is they tend to be daily wear for many people. Not necessarily a beater, but rather an adequately comfy, durable, and stylish choice for most occasions.
How frequently will you wear it? How long do you expect to own it? Is this the watch you want to associate with most days of your life? That can put the price and choice of watch into a more long-term perspective.
I am quite practical with watches. If I could only have a 3 watch collection, I'd choose 3 distinct types to accomodate certain occasions. For example a diver, sport watch, and a dress watch. The OP can be worn on several occasions. That could indeed justify atleast a third of the MSRP ;)
I own one of these Seiko SKA201 Kinetic pieces, really like its simple elegance and very clean watch face/dial/hands.
Have you looked at the Tissot Gentleman Line? https://www.tissotwatches.com/en-us/t1274071104100.html I have one of their ETA movement-based watches, and it's scary accurate. The Powermatic Silicium movement has a silicone balance spring (for added anti-magnetism), and an almost-unheard of power reserve for the price.
Citizen do a nice homage of it.
Rolex street cred 🤣
Kidding aside, many other brands can execute a good enough watch case and dial to substitute the OP. But only a few can compare to the quality of the modern OP bracelet and clasp.
Spec-wise it's also the benchmark for a GADA watch. 100m WR, a screw down crown, robust case/movement/crystal, and a design that can be worn dressy or casually.
Some people nitpick about alternative watches not having 1 or 2 of the above-mentioned specs. Honestly I think the bracelet is where a lot of alternatives fall short. (I'm looking at you, GS)
Bingo. Most options don’t have a screw down crown and the bracelet is far behind what Rolex offers. If you want a screw down crown, decent bracelet, under 40mm with those other features you mentioned, which are expected for a GADA, you are limited to a few brands. Basically Rolex, Tudor and Omega.
Unless you go microbrand which will be far behind in quality to the big brands.
I purchased the Omega Aqua Terra instead of the OP because it in my opinion has
better movement looks similar, has great water resistance, etc..etc..
ow how i love this topic. i like op design too, its the purest form of watch for me. no nonsense and no other complication. i categorized it as the gada watch. here is some selection which i can find, its not exactly the same as op but they have certain interesting charateristic
traska commuter
vaer atlas
san martin op
monta noble
lorier falcon
sinn 556
Great selection of OP alternatives, @Unholy, especially that Lorier 👌
It’s on my list 😎
The love for the OP is not just about the dial design. There are a few things that I think don't show up on people's radars about the OP:
The size/balance/weight is perfect.
The case shape is beautifully underrated.
Fit and finish is on point.
39mm, a Sellita SW200-1 (I think) and surprisingly affordable.
i have always liked my Tissot PR100 titanium
Pretty sure you will be spoilt for choices! Have fun hunting for your desired piece!
Tag Heuer Carrera 3 Hand
Christopher Ward C63 Sealander might be an option. Decent finish and quality.
Rolex street cred 🤣
Kidding aside, many other brands can execute a good enough watch case and dial to substitute the OP. But only a few can compare to the quality of the modern OP bracelet and clasp.
Spec-wise it's also the benchmark for a GADA watch. 100m WR, a screw down crown, robust case/movement/crystal, and a design that can be worn dressy or casually.
Some people nitpick about alternative watches not having 1 or 2 of the above-mentioned specs. Honestly I think the bracelet is where a lot of alternatives fall short. (I'm looking at you, GS)
100%, the only thing that sets Rolex apart from other brands these days is the bracelet.
Tutor Black Bay - and wait for Watches and Wonders; either you get the new one with an in-house caliber or you get the current one for a good price with the ETA movement.
100%, the only thing that sets Rolex apart from other brands these days is the bracelet.
How about the movement?
the OP 41 (blue dial) is my next purchase and I can't wait! For me it's a combination of no date/ clean dial, great movement and bracelet, on the fly microadjust/ easylink, and I really love the blue sunburst dial. Really versatile watch with tons of great facets.
the OP 41 (blue dial) is my next purchase and I can't wait! For me it's a combination of no date/ clean dial, great movement and bracelet, on the fly microadjust/ easylink, and I really love the blue sunburst dial. Really versatile watch with tons of great facets.
Excellent choice sir. The blue would be my pick as well.