Oyster Perpetual 34 mm (new vs old)

[chrisbranch1212]

Hi everyone.

First post here. New to forum and I enjoy reading everyone's post. Great bunch of group here!

As many of you know, Rolex released a new Oyster perpetual watches. Am I the only person who isn't excited by the release? Color selections reminds me of power rangers, I feel Rolex steered itself away from their classic design this time.

Anyways, I have been been eyeing the Rolex 34 mm (Ref 114200) but it is discontinued now. I was either going to get white, green or black dial...but none of those choices are available. Well, except black since the new OP 34 comes with black dial. I am left with two choice here: buy the discontinued model or buy the new model...I am honestly not sure what to do and wanted to seek advice!

Does anyone know if the new OP 34 case is different from the older OP 34 case? I am trying to find out if they trimmed lug into a slimmer style..I can't seem to find it anywhere although I've read in few post(s) that case is slightly different but I can't seem to verify this. Also, what is your take on the new movement? On paper, it sounds great. New movement boosts 7 more hour power reserve, better anti magnetic protection, etc....but is it proven? The old movement has been around forever and is well established. I love the fact that the new OP has easy link extension....however no white dial is a game changer for me. I really admire the white dial (even black), it never cease to amaze me how beautiful they play the light! If anyone want to show it off, please post pics! I love seeing them.

I am debating if I should buy the discontinued model (No luck so far, all are sold out currently in Canada)..or buy the new one and hope they will release a better dial color in the future (I am set on white dial at the moment). Does anyone think I should just get a newer model and forget about white dial OP34 mm?

Anyways, I apologize if this post is long and sort of rant-like...I just wanted friendly advice from Rolex euthusiasts who are much more well informed than myself. Thank you for reading!

PS. Any 34 mm OP owner here? Are you happy with your purchase? Would you turn back time and wish you held out for a newer OP?

[Maxy]

Welcome!

New OP 34 comes in 4 colors - Black, Blue, Silver & Pink. It appears same as last generation OP 34 more or less with newer movement and extra 1 day power reserve. I think you can pick the blue dial which is classic shade and OP34 has no double markers at 369 which is even better!

[chrisbranch1212]

Thanks! Not digging the blue dial colour unfortunately! Only colour I can see myself getting is black....

[1978]

I have the 2019 Black OP 34 and it is my favorite watch. Fits perfectly, indestructible, modest and discrete. Size-wise it wears very similar to a classic 36mm case. Can’t recommend it enough!

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by 1978

I have the 2019 Black OP 34 and it is my favorite watch. Fits perfectly, indestructible, modest and discrete. Size-wise it wears very similar to a classic 36mm case. Can’t recommend it enough!

Awesome! Mind if you post picture? What is your wrist size if you don't mind me asking as well?

[Thuilln]

Originally Posted by 1978

I have the 2019 Black OP 34 and it is my favorite watch. Fits perfectly, indestructible, modest and discrete. Size-wise it wears very similar to a classic 36mm case. Can’t recommend it enough!

That’s true: it wears like a former 36mm Explorer or Datejust.
I have a previous version of it (pure white dial with 3-6-9) and I love it.

[1978]

Wrist size 7”

[OystersRockefeller]

Originally Posted by 1978

Wrist size 7”

This looks fantastic. I’ve got a 6.75” wrist and am looking at getting this exact model. I love it but I’ve been worried it might be a little small. Do you still have yours? Have you felt like it’s just right or has your eye wandered toward the new OP 36s?

[chrisbranch1212]

Wow man, looks awesome. I bet it looks even better in flesh.

Do you wish you could have held out and got the new OP 34? (they have one in black as well)

What's your take on white dial btw? I am kind of debating between either one of those colours atm.

[1978]

To be honest the OP is the only Rolex I ever bought new and still have. Others are all older.

I like green lume. I like smaller cases. I don’t really feel the need for the extra power reserve. So, I don’t regret getting the 2019 at all. Maybe I’ll get the new 2030 when it’s out :)

I like the white dial a lot! I have a white Day Date 36, same baton index, and I agree it gets the light really well.

[chrisbranch1212]

Wow, that's a sexy piece of metal I must say. Your day date looks awesome!

Glad you are enjoying your watches man, wear them in good health.

[giorgio.a]

The case is very different... the old 34mm is more like a cushion shape case, while the new 34mm has much more slimmer and tapered lugs.

Also the newer moment has longer power reserve and a silicone hairspring, both great features!


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[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by giorgio.a

The case is very different... the old 34mm is more like a cushion shape case, while the new 34mm has much more slimmer and tapered lugs.

Also the newer moment has longer power reserve and a silicone hairspring, both great features!


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Thanks man! This was the answer I was looking for Is there a noticeable difference?

My instinct tells me that the new 34 mm might be tad too small and I may need to look into the new OP36 if I can't find the older OP 34, what's your thought regarding this?

Honestly I love the way the old case look: the cushion shape makes the 34 mm wear a lot bigger in my opinion. Update: I called ALL authorized dealer in Canada and they are all out (34 and 36 alike), might have to try my luck at the grey market now!

[giorgio.a]

Originally Posted by chrisbranch1212

Thanks man! This was the answer I was looking for Is there a noticeable difference?

My instinct tells me that the new 34 mm might be tad too small and I may need to look into the new OP36 if I can't find the older OP 34, what's your thought regarding this?

Honestly I love the way the old case look: the cushion shape makes the 34 mm wear a lot bigger in my opinion. Update: I called ALL authorized dealer in Canada and they are all out (34 and 36 alike), might have to try my luck at the grey market now!

If you like the cushion shape then the old 34mm may be your best bet. I’m sure the grey market and used market have quite a few available...


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[Gasoil4ever]

The Date 34 is still available which a white dial.

It is quite similar unless the date + cyclop + pcl are a no-go for you.

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by Gasoil4ever

The Date 34 is still available which a white dial.

It is quite similar unless the date + cyclop + pcl are a no-go for you.

Great suggestion, I love how the Date 34 look personally! I may need to look into that as well. Is the case design/size exactly the same as old OP 34?

[onlyonerolly]

If you can, get the discontinued 114200 with either white or black dial and you won’t be disappointed. These are all time classics with only a two year production run.

It’s totally subjective, but the little square hour indices on the minute track work better than the Roman numerals found on the new versions. Also the older model has a tried and tested sports movement that was shared with the 114060 sub.

This could easily be your only watch and has all bases covered. Good luck!

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by onlyonerolly

If you can, get the discontinued 114200 with either white or black dial and you won’t be disappointed. These are all time classics with only a two year production run.

It’s totally subjective, but the little square hour indices on the minute track work better than the Roman numerals found on the new versions. Also the older model has a tried and tested sports movement that was shared with the 114060 sub.

This could easily be your only watch and has all bases covered. Good luck!

Dude, I didn't even notice that! Great point. I am not digging the Roman numeral personally!

[doramas]

And why not a blank Datejust 36?

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by doramas

And why not a blank Datejust 36?

Great suggestion, but I tried on the OP 36 and size-wise I like the 34 mm better. I don't know, it is just more classic in my humble opinion. Datejust is a beautiful watch however!

[doramas]

Originally Posted by chrisbranch1212

Great suggestion, but I tried on the OP 36 and size-wise I like the 34 mm better. I don't know, it is just more classic in my humble opinion. Datejust is a beautiful watch however!

I hope you will be lucky.

[moting]

the op white 34 (on strap) vs the explorer 36, very similar size

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by moting

the op white 34 (on strap) vs the explorer 36, very similar size

Amazing picture, thanks for sharing! How does the fit feel compared to Explorer 36?

Interesting to see it on a strap as well, I think it suit the watch actually. Did you have to get a curved spring bar to get it to fit?

[moting]

Originally Posted by chrisbranch1212

Amazing picture, thanks for sharing! How does the fit feel compared to Explorer 36?

Interesting to see it on a strap as well, I think it suit the watch actually. Did you have to get a curved spring bar to get it to fit?

The case has more cushion compare to the explorer 36.
Yes, this is a custom strap slighly curved with a curved spring bar.
I have also a photo comparing the size to the 36 OP blue from a grey dealer (this is why the case is wrapped with plastic)

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by moting

The case has more cushion compare to the explorer 36.
Yes, this is a custom strap slighly curved with a curved spring bar.
I have also a photo comparing the size to the 36 OP blue from a grey dealer (this is why the case is wrapped with plastic)

Awesome pictures man. Do you own the blue OP 36 as well? The white dial looks amazing, it looks great in both bracelet and leather. The versatility is my favourite part of it!

[DrJrC]

I can’t recommend the recently discontinued green 114200 highly enough. The pictures that used to be on the rolex website didn’t do it justice. It’s much deeper and eyecatching in the flesh and the orange contrast above the hour markers is probably he best of the previous lines.
Can’t post the pics at the moment (at work) but I’ve posted a few recently that you should be able to find in my limited post count. I seem to remember Bas has a few stunners as well.

I would try and find one before the prices go up too much if you were considering it previously. It will probably be easier to find it in black or white in the future as I don’t think they manufactured as many in olive. I struggled to find any in stock in the Uk in an AD or even preowned. I can only assume people want to keep hold of them

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by DrJrC

I can’t recommend the recently discontinued green 114200 highly enough. The pictures that used to be on the rolex website didn’t do it justice. It’s much deeper and eyecatching in the flesh and the orange contrast above the hour markers is probably he best of the previous lines.
Can’t post the pics at the moment (at work) but I’ve posted a few recently that you should be able to find in my limited post count. I seem to remember Bas has a few stunners as well.

I would try and find one before the prices go up too much if you were considering it previously. It will probably be easier to find it in black or white in the future as I don’t think they manufactured as many in olive. I struggled to find any in stock in the Uk in an AD or even preowned. I can only assume people want to keep hold of them

Argh, I am even more bummed out by discontinued model now. I called around all ADs and nope, ALL models are currently out of stock. I was told white and black was a hot seller. It was gut wrenching when some told me that they sold their last batch (green dial included) 2 weeks ago, seems like some people predicted that the newer one will be released and hopped on the opportunity while they could

[DrJrC]

Sorry to hear.
I spent years trying to find one in the flesh before buying it as I had apprehensions about the size and “ordering it”. I’d seen it twice a couple of years ago but had the dog/wife so had never been able to try it.
Eventually just bit the bullet in June/July and asked my local AD to get it as I was reasonably happy with the sizes of an equivalent date just. She after speaking to Rolex she warned me it could be 4-6 months as they rarely got them in that colour in normal their normal allocations but it somehow came in less than 2 weeks. Maybe head office was clearing out stock.
Although you’ve called ADs to look for availability, surely there must be some hanging around in shipping containers somewhere. If your feeling brave you could try telling them you definitely want to buy and see if one appears “from the aether”

Now they are discontinued I am definitely not letting the wife near it!
Good luck
J

[chrisbranch1212]

Originally Posted by DrJrC

Sorry to hear.
I spent years trying to find one in the flesh before buying it as I had apprehensions about the size and “ordering it”. I’d seen it twice a couple of years ago but had the dog/wife so had never been able to try it.
Eventually just bit the bullet in June/July and asked my local AD to get it as I was reasonably happy with the sizes of an equivalent date just. She after speaking to Rolex she warned me it could be 4-6 months as they rarely got them in that colour in normal their normal allocations but it somehow came in less than 2 weeks. Maybe head office was clearing out stock.
Although you’ve called ADs to look for availability, surely there must be some hanging around in shipping containers somewhere. If your feeling brave you could try telling them you definitely want to buy and see if one appears “from the aether”

Now they are discontinued I am definitely not letting the wife near it!
Good luck
J

It's funny, I was going to buy it in December when I had all my finances in order but was forced to look for one in the wild since it got discontinued. I am not convinced with the new dial, the older white/black/green color was what appealed to me. I think I would be happy with any one of those choices. Although the new OP34 has a black dial, I am not convinced that the new case will suit the size. Worst case scenario would be to check out new OP 36, since the slimmer case (can someone else please verify this?!) might be similar to older OP 34 case size.

I called the AD to see if there might be any older OP34 available in the supply inventory...but haven't gotten a return call so I am not counting on it!

[DrJrC]

Originally Posted by chrisbranch1212

It's funny, I was going to buy it in December when I had all my finances in order but was forced to look for one in the wild since it got discontinued. I am not convinced with the new dial, the older white/black/green color was what appealed to me. I think I would be happy with any one of those choices. Although the new OP34 has a black dial, I am not convinced that the new case will suit the size. Worst case scenario would be to check out new OP 36, since the slimmer case (can someone else please verify this?!) might be similar to older OP 34 case size.

I called the AD to see if there might be any older OP34 available in the supply inventory...but haven't gotten a return call so I am not counting on it!

For models like the OP, which has historically always had a wider range of dials/colours, it’s a shame that the dials aren’t viewed as interchangeable like the bezels were on the old 5 digit GMTs. Having 2 or 3 different Subs or GMTs etc is fine, but owning 8 or 9 different OPs is borderline addicted.
They probably have replacement dials left over for services but it isn’t a high enough value watch to ask for a custom made order and obtaining one yourself is heading dangerously towards franken-territory.

Let’s make a deal.
If I have a tragic accident involving a bandsaw or guillotine and chop off both my hands. I’ll sell you mine at MSRP