OP36 vs OP39

[Satykush]

Hi All,

There is a question on my mind. Would love to get your insights on this. It seems from analysis on some trading portals, that the OP 36 (Ref 126000) is trading significantly higher than the discontinued OP 39 (Ref 114300).

From my experience of owning the OP39 (which Rolex produced between 2015-2020), I would say it’s spectacular. The 39 mm size with the lug width looks perfect on the wrist. Would you agree it’s a perfect size especially compared to 36 mm which seems a bit small for contemporary watch sizes.

I wouldn’t also put the difference based on the new Rolex movement, with its Chronergy escapement (Rolex 3230) manages to pack 46% more power reserve of 70 hours. But having understood Rolex fans’ intricate understudying of movements, I don’t think they would worry too much about the difference. (It’s supposed to be on your wrist the entire time )

So I’m at a loss to understand how there can be a $3-4K difference in value?


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[EdwardC]

It’s all about the color

[amanbra]

1. It’s the colours
2. Stop analysing these things like investments.


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[Nairn1980]

Don’t try and understand it, just buy what you love and you won’t go wrong.

[Satykush]

Originally Posted by EdwardC

It’s all about the color

It’s the same colors - blues, purples .. not too markedly different


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[Satykush]

Originally Posted by amanbra

1. It’s the colours
2. Stop analysing these things like investments.


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I am just looking for the rationale behind it. Agree with you, not worried about the price differential.


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

36mm is the perfect size for a classic Rolex, not 39mm. Also the recent 32XX movements are off the charts accurate. Don’t buy into the drama.

[Satykush]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

36mm is the perfect size for a classic Rolex, not 39mm. Also the recent 32XX movements are off the charts accurate. Don’t buy into the drama.

But in that case Rolex would not chose 41 mm for OPs. And in terms of accuracy, it’s a superlative chronometer I can personally attest to its -2/+2 sec per day variation.


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[ChronoSloth]

If you own it and think it’s spectacular, it’s price on the secondary market shouldn’t make any difference. If you don’t own it, thank goodness it’s not skyrocketing so you could pick one up! Seems pretty apparent you’re sheepishly trying to drum up interest because you want to unload one. Margin call yesterday?

[Satykush]

Originally Posted by ChronoSloth

If you own it and think it’s spectacular, it’s price on the secondary market shouldn’t make any difference. If you don’t own it, thank goodness it’s not skyrocketing so you could pick one up! Seems pretty apparent you’re sheepishly trying to drum up interest because you want to unload one. Margin call yesterday?

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[brandrea]

I must be in the minority here, but once I buy a reference I never pay any attention to what it’s worth

[liberalclown]

OP41 is also 39mm and it is one of the hottest watches right now. That hotness is being carried to OP36 as well. And the hotness of the stella dials is being carried over to classic sunburst dials.

New series OPs have movement upgrade, clasp upgrade and wider dial selection. But more importantly, they are no longer "entry level". OP 39 was that "entry level" watch in the catalog and that is why it is not trending as high as the new model.

[Satykush]

Originally Posted by liberalclown

OP41 is also 39mm and it is one of the hottest watches right now. That hotness is being carried to OP36 as well. And the hotness of the stella dials is being carried over to classic sunburst dials.

New series OPs have movement upgrade, clasp upgrade and larger dial selection. But more importantly, they are no longer "entry level". OP 39 was that "entry level" watch in the catalog and that is why it is not trending as high as the new model.

Great insight. The entry level phenomenon does make lot of sense. It’s a beautiful piece, absolutely adorable in its simplicity. And in typical Rolex fashion, over-engineered with white gold indices, white gold markers, etc.

[espanol]

Given your pushback on each and every answer, it seems like you don’t want to understand the rationale, but rather, argue the 39 is ‘better.’

36mm is the newer release, demand is higher than its ever been, people want it, people like the colors, people like buying anything new, and hype. It’s really that simple, accept it or not.

[Moony17]

It’s newly updated, and very popular because of all the hype. Enjoy your watch (39mm is a great size!) and try not to think too much about the value. You’ll enjoy your watch more that way - one of the many things I learned here :)

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Satykush

But in that case Rolex would not chose 41 mm for OPs. And in terms of accuracy, it’s a superlative chronometer I can personally attest to its -2/+2 sec per day variation.


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Rolex manufactures and sells watches. They are not beyond the influence of fashion, hence some larger watches from time to time.

I own two 32XX movements, one fluctuates by about .5 seconds a day depending on position, the other is dead accurate regardless of position.

I own, wear and enjoy watches from 34-44mm, thirty-six is the sweet spot in my experience.

[Flint]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I must be in the minority here, but once I buy a reference I never pay any attention to what it’s worth

That is so refreshing to hear and I agree 100% . Whilst I only joined this forum in December , I used to visit approx 10 years ago and found it to be a very informative place for advice and to read reviews ( still is ) , however I find this obsession watching current grey prices going sky high ( you only need to read current Daytona posts ) to be very sad , when greed is all , no soul and lacking in taste . No doubt all those following what ' celebs ' are wearing and the so called 'investors ' will disagree . Re OP I think 34 mm / 36 mm for myself ( any colour ) My rant over !

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Flint

That is so refreshing to hear and I agree 100% . Whilst I only joined this forum in December , I used to visit approx 10 years ago and found it to be a very informative place for advice and to read reviews ( still is ) , however I find this obsession watching current grey prices going sky high ( you only need to read current Daytona posts ) to be very sad , when greed is all , no soul and lacking in taste . No doubt all those following what ' celebs ' are wearing and the so called 'investors ' will disagree . Re OP I think 34 mm / 36 mm for myself ( any colour ) My rant over !

The tone has changed with the times I suppose.

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[afmars]

Couple of reasons
1) 126000 is the current model which always demands a premium to a similar predecessor
2) 126000 has only been out about a year so there is much less in circulation = lower supply
3) hype associated with the colored dials has lifted all configurations of 126000
4) Woman and men can wear 36mm which means more demand
5) watches are trending smaller and a lot more men are going back to 36mm date just and OP

[Zuger]

Irrational exuberance. It happens.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by brandrea

I must be in the minority here, but once I buy a reference I never pay any attention to what it’s worth

How do you insure your watches without knowing their value?

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

How do you insure your watches without knowing their value?

Well that's not exactly in keeping with the subject of the original post.

I buy my watches to wear and enjoy, and I don't obess over what they are "worth" by following trading portals etc.

To answer your question, I don't insure my watches

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[bob sims]

Originally Posted by Satykush

But in that case Rolex would not chose 41 mm for OPs. And in terms of accuracy, it’s a superlative chronometer I can personally attest to its -2/+2 sec per day variation.


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They did not choose 41. They chose to name a 39.4 watch 41.

[rolexpatek363]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Well that's not exactly in keeping with the subject of the original post.

I buy my watches to wear and enjoy, and I don't obess over what they are "worth" by following trading portals etc.

To answer your question, I don't insure my watches

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Fair enough, all round.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by rolexpatek363

Fair enough, all round.

[Tools]

Can't follow the reasoning here.

One is the new model and commands the new pricing. The other is the older version and so commands used prices/values. They are seldom the same.

[HogwldFLTR]

Pretty typical for new vs old model Rolex. When the DJ41 was introduced the DJII prices fell into the hopper. Not only was it the proportions but people also ate up the new movement and power reserve differences. In the Rolex world in general people want the latest and the greatest much more than the older models.

[telesquire]

Originally Posted by Satykush

I am just looking for the rationale behind it. Agree with you, not worried about the price differential.


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There is ZERO rationale in the current market. Pointless trying to fathom it out.

[zengineer]

I think a lot of people are finally realizing that 36 is a better size for smaller wrists. 39 works good for me but I think it is too big for that style watch on wrists under 7".

But the pricing....yes, mostly about color. Rolex learned long ago that a different color dial or bezel sends the community into a frenzy.

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[petay993]

I had the white OP39.

I sold it because I am impulsive, it was a bad decision and I keep regretting it.

I now have the yellow OP41, they wear pretty similar.

I still prefer the OP39