Rolex Oyster Perpetual or Datejust?
I recently made an enquiry with a Rolex Boutique which I have not purchased from about the Submariner, and they suggested that I considered the silver Oyster Perpetual instead and said the wait for the OP should be much shorter.
I showed the OP to my wife and she does like it but on a different dial color. So, in the end, I put my name on their enquiry list for both the OP and the Submariner.
I have primarily been interested in the Rolex sport watches such as the Submariner, Daytona and Explorer II but not the classic models. But since we may get an OP, I did some homework to learn more about this and other classic lines. I found that some Datejust models look very similar to the OP except for the obvious, i.e., the date window. The hour markers for the 3, 6 and 9 positions are slightly different between the two, and some Datejust models have Roman numerals instead of baton indexes on the dials. From the pictures, the bezel of the Datejust also seems to be a bit wider than the OP. The Datejust overall looks wider than the OP, but I'm not sure if this is just a poor scaling of the photos when I combined them into a single picture. Some Datejust models also have fluted bezels. I found the white dials look quite nice on the Datejust, but white dial is not available in the OP current lineup.
In the picture above, 4 similar Datejust models are shown and compare to the silver dial OP on the top. I am now wondering which is a better choice.
If you prefer Datejust over OP, among these 4 white dial Datejust, which would you pick?
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Vincent
I love watches and have been collecting inexpensive watches for over 20 years. Most are quartz watches but a few are automatic. None cost me more than C$300. Since two years ago, I started collecting...
Canada
Member since
Last active: 11 min ago
7.00” / 17.78 cm
I bought the Date Just in 2009, its been a great watch.
Glad to hear that. 👍
Imho buy one of the options only if you LOVE it. They are both pretty cool though!
Imho buy one of the options only if you LOVE it. They are both pretty cool though!
If I am going to get either the OP or the Datejust, it will be worn by both my wife and me, but technically it will be her watch. And she does like the more vibrant colors on the OP dials more.. So, you got a good point. Perhaps I should stick with the original plan. At the end of the day, this is technically her watch. Although I lean a bit more to one of these Datejust, she likes the colorful dials of the OP more.
Take note the Roman indices are nice but there is no lume.
If I am going to get either the OP or the Datejust, it will be worn by both my wife and me, but technically it will be her watch. And she does like the more vibrant colors on the OP dials more.. So, you got a good point. Perhaps I should stick with the original plan. At the end of the day, this is technically her watch. Although I lean a bit more to one of these Datejust, she likes the colorful dials of the OP more.
There is nothing like making your spouse happy. I owe much of my happiness to mine.
Not the most popular opinion but paying more for a hard to source watch in the grey market rather than buying a watch you don't love has worked out for me but by all means do what is best for the both of you. Your Wrist Your Rules.
There is nothing like making your spouse happy. I owe much of my happiness to mine.
Not the most popular opinion but paying more for a hard to source watch in the grey market rather than buying a watch you don't love has worked out for me but by all means do what is best for the both of you. Your Wrist Your Rules.
Good advice! 👍
Take note the Roman indices are nice but there is no lume.
Didn't know that. Thanks for pointing this out.
Here’s mine, I have a 7.25” wrist. This is the one that I personally felt fit my taste.
Didn't know that. Thanks for pointing this out.
This is mine by the way. Absolutely love it.
Datejust has to be on the jubilee for me. OP has to be on oyster… my opinion
For the oyster bracelet and smooth bezel I’d go for OP, and datejust in my mind belongs to the jubilee and flueted bezel.
I just don’t see any point in datejust that looks like an OP
Buy the watch you want. Don’t let Rolex convince you to take something you don’t want. Look into a used submariner perhaps if that is what you really want. I really think the five digit ones are nicer anyway (and they are cheaper than the current model used).
Here’s mine, I have a 7.25” wrist. This is the one that I personally felt fit my taste.
Congratulations! It looks great! Is the Roman number changed to baton index at 9:00 to balance the date window at 3:00?
Datejust has to be on the jubilee for me. OP has to be on oyster… my opinion
Agree. The smooth bezel on OP looks better with the regular bracelet, as both look clean. But if a Datejust model also has a smooth bezel, I think it looks also good with the regular bracelet too. However, the fluted bezel, in my opinion, goes better with the jubilee.
OP has the lines and the look.
Honestly, save yourself a couple of bucks. Clearly you just want a Rolex (that’s the bottomline). Get the OP. Cleaner dial. Easier to get. Sporty yet can be dressed up. Can go anywhere with you.
A or B for me 👍
I have both. Both 36mm. OP with the green dial and the Datejust with black dial and fluted bezel.
Both great watches and the difference is: (1) literally whether the date function matters to you; and (2) imo the Datejust is dressier than the OP.
Neither
Other than the obvious where DJ has a date and OP does not, the centre links of the DJ bracelets are all polished and DJ has polished case too.
The oyster bracelet with shiny center links is known to be a scratch magnet, avoid it and buy OP36 or DJ36 with jubilee if you can't live with scratches.
DJ is just a more blingy/shiny watch compared to OP. OP is more of a tool watch/everyday watch which wouldn't attract much attention while DJ just attracts a ton of attention by being so shiny.
My DJ36 with fluted bezel and jubilee got the most attention, even more than something like a hulk. While my explorer 1 got me the least amount of attention when I was wearing it.
I think that the OP/explorer 1 is just so good at being a subtle yet high quality watch that slips under the radar, nobody would know you had a Rolex unless they had a closer look. It's just nicer as a daily watch, and I prefer it's looks, but I just find it hard to live without a date function.
DJ is also a good option as a daily wear but it has more bling. I usually just wear mine with jeans/shorts and a t-shirt. It's totally fine unlike what others say online, but it definitely suits formal outfits more than casual ones.
Edit: something that bugs me with polished finishing on watches are the fingerprints and smudges that your fingers leave behind when you touch the watch.
I would go for fluted bezel, because the scratches really show on the smooth bezel (my wife has one)
Congratulations! It looks great! Is the Roman number changed to baton index at 9:00 to balance the date window at 3:00?
This to me speaks to Rolex’s design scheme. I think the Roman numeral 9 would be too big for the size of font they chose. So, it’s my belief, that they just put a baton there to keep from altering the main design. I like it, makes the dial more legible at night😋
I guess it also depends on how busy the dial itself is. I feel the overall package may be a bit too busy if a fluted bezel combines with Roman numerals on the dial.
I've always been a 'less is more' type. Especially, when it comes to nicer things. Nice watches, nice cars, etc. Don't overdo it.
And not to speaking out of my element, I do have one watch (not a Rolex) with the Roman numerals. Even with these, this still looks clean & classy to me.
I own both. To me, it comes down to what style you’re looking for. (Note that I’m of the belief that the DJ belongs on a jubilee with a fluted bezel - otherwise, it’s just a OP with a date.) Although both can be dressed up/down, the DJ is flashier and the OP more understated. I have not noticed any sizable differences in the look of the bezel and dial between the both, and I don’t think it should be much of a consideration. The OP is more of a daily wear. However, if I could just pick one, it would be the DJ. Perhaps, the decision instead should be between the Explorer 1 or the DJ.
Agree. The smooth bezel on OP looks better with the regular bracelet, as both look clean. But if a Datejust model also has a smooth bezel, I think it looks also good with the regular bracelet too. However, the fluted bezel, in my opinion, goes better with the jubilee.
Totally agreed
Other than the obvious where DJ has a date and OP does not, the centre links of the DJ bracelets are all polished and DJ has polished case too.
The oyster bracelet with shiny center links is known to be a scratch magnet, avoid it and buy OP36 or DJ36 with jubilee if you can't live with scratches.
DJ is just a more blingy/shiny watch compared to OP. OP is more of a tool watch/everyday watch which wouldn't attract much attention while DJ just attracts a ton of attention by being so shiny.
My DJ36 with fluted bezel and jubilee got the most attention, even more than something like a hulk. While my explorer 1 got me the least amount of attention when I was wearing it.
I think that the OP/explorer 1 is just so good at being a subtle yet high quality watch that slips under the radar, nobody would know you had a Rolex unless they had a closer look. It's just nicer as a daily watch, and I prefer it's looks, but I just find it hard to live without a date function.
DJ is also a good option as a daily wear but it has more bling. I usually just wear mine with jeans/shorts and a t-shirt. It's totally fine unlike what others say online, but it definitely suits formal outfits more than casual ones.
Edit: something that bugs me with polished finishing on watches are the fingerprints and smudges that your fingers leave behind when you touch the watch.
Thank you for your very informative feedback! 🙂
I've always been a 'less is more' type. Especially, when it comes to nicer things. Nice watches, nice cars, etc. Don't overdo it.
And not to speaking out of my element, I do have one watch (not a Rolex) with the Roman numerals. Even with these, this still looks clean & classy to me.
Nice watch!
I put my name down for a DJ 36 mm blue dial domed bezel on a Jubilee
I put my name down for a DJ 36 mm blue dial domed bezel on a Jubilee
That is a very classic colour. Hope you’ll hear from your AD shortly! ✌