Don't underestimate the Rolex Oyster Perpetual in 34mm

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual in 34mm is an ideal way to get a vintage look in a modern package. And best of all, the model at this size can be found at reasonable prices in this day and age of steel Rolex sports watches being unavailable to purchase directly from an authorized dealer. This size is not as popular as 36mm, 41mm or the now discontinued 39mm size. We understand that sentiment as even men with smaller wrists might put on any 34mm watch and think: “That looks way too small.”

Photo by Hodinkee

It may look that way at first, but try wearing one for a day. The proportions start to fall into place and may even start to look “right.” The bracelet details actually will encroach on the top of the wrist, which is a very classic look in a historical context. Smaller watches on bracelets look bigger than when they are worn on straps, so the 34mm OP might just surprise you.

We also get that for many guys, less than 40mm is just not for them. For those people, it may just take longer to find their ideal new Rolex acquisition. For this crowd, Tudor may be the route to choose if hunting for the ideal Rolex starts becoming too much of a chore.

But for those who want to try a smaller Rolex model, a quick search on the watch resale sites shows that the Oyster Perpetual 34 is selling for about $1,000 more than the suggested retail price, which is just too much for a lot of people. In the current marketplace, that markup is not nearly as much as what other Rolex sport models are commanding. 

Photo by Lunn's Jewelers

The OP 34 comes in a range of colors, from pink to olive green to blue, as well as the more subdued black and white dial versions. It also features a single baton marker at 3, 6, and 9 if you prefer this simpler look over the double batons on the 36mm and 41mm models. If you like this size but require a date complication, the Rolex Date (which is from the Datejust lineage) is a 34mm Oyster cased watch, but features the famous Rolex cyclops date magnifier over its date window.

Another Rolex that can be purchased for just under $5,000 is the 34mm Air-King. The watch is similar to the Oyster Perpetual in that it’s a time-only Rolex with a classic pedigree. The design of both of these 34mm watches is trend-proof and is a discrete choice for anyone who doesn’t necessarily want to call attention to their watch choice.

So there you have it. It’s our quest to open your eyes to potential great Rolex models you can possibly buy at a price that isn’t too much more than retail. While we did just write about Tudor’s rise, we can definitely sympathize with all of you who simply want a Rolex.

To store your Rolex collection in style, check out our watch rolls.