Kensington Watches
Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34Save £1,500

Tap the image to enlarge

Rolex

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34

Ref. 114200

Among our 76 Rolex watchesThis watch£6,650
Premium
See more premium options

Stepping up in Rolex's range

Price range £5,350 to £125,000 across 76 Rolex watches in stock.

The 114200 has a complicated past for something that reads so cleanly on the wrist. Rolex introduced this case in 2007 as the Air-King, and when that line was quietly retired in 2014, the reference was kept in production with the Air-King script removed from the dial — becoming, in effect, the Oyster Perpetual 34 by default rather than by design. That history gives it a slightly sturdier, more purposeful silhouette than the name alone suggests: the lugs are wider and the profile more substantial than older 34mm Rolex references, so it reads as a proper watch on the wrist rather than a smaller sibling of something else. The calibre 3130 inside was also the first movement to earn COSC chronometer certification in this case size, which is why the dial reads "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" where earlier generations said only "Precision" — a quiet but meaningful upgrade. Later production runs gained the blue Parachrom hairspring, which improves resistance to magnetic fields and to shock. The Oyster bracelet is built entirely from solid links with threaded screws at the joints, and the clasp carries micro-adjustment detents that allow fine-tuning without tools.

Reference
114200
Brand
Rolex
Case size
34mm
Case thickness
11.6mm
Lug width
19mm
Case material
Stainless steel
Case shape
Round
Dial
White
Crystal
Sapphire
Movement
Automatic
Calibre
3130
Water resistance
100m
Bracelet / strap
Stainless steel bracelet
Strap colour
Silver
Clasp
Folding clasp
Lume
Luminous
Condition
Pre-owned
Retailer
Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
Lug-to-lug
41.7mm
Power reserve
48 hours
Learn more about Rolex

Hans Wilsdorf founded Wilsdorf & Davis in London in 1905 with his brother-in-law Alfred Davis, importing Swiss movements and casing them in England. He registered the name Rolex in 1908 — short, pronounceable in any language, and easy to fit on a dial.

Wilsdorf's conviction was that the wristwatch, then regarded as a woman's ornament and hopelessly fragile, could be made accurate and durable. He proved the first half in 1910 by obtaining the first chronometer certification for a wristwatch, and the second in 1926 with the Oyster case, sealed by a screw-down crown and caseback. Mercedes Gleitze swam the Channel wearing one in 1927, and Wilsdorf bought the front page of the Daily Mail to say so — arguably the first modern watch marketing campaign.

The Perpetual rotor followed in 1931, giving automatic winding in a form the whole industry eventually copied. The company relocated to Geneva during the First World War to escape British wartime duties.

The professional models arrived in a compressed burst in the 1950s: Submariner, Explorer, GMT-Master, Milgauss, and later the Daytona. Each was built for a specific job — diving, exploration, aviation, laboratory work, racing — and each became a design template.

Wilsdorf left his shares to a private foundation on his death, so Rolex answers to no shareholders. It remains the largest producer of certified chronometers in Switzerland by a wide margin.

1905
Hans Wilsdorf founds Wilsdorf & Davis in London.
1908
The Rolex name is registered.
1926
The Oyster case introduces genuine water resistance.
1931
The Perpetual rotor brings modern automatic winding.
1953
The Submariner and Explorer launch.
1963
The Cosmograph Daytona arrives.

All Rolex watches

Also in 6 collections

This watch appears in the Rolex Oyster Perpetual range (11), Stainless Steel Watches (2,819), Automatic Watches (1,701), Watches Under 37mm (1,493), Pre-Owned, Ex-Display & Vintage Watches (355) and Watch Price Drops (270).

2-year Goldsmiths warranty

What the specifications mean

A mechanical watch for everyday wear.

Strengths

  • 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
  • 34mm wears small and slips under any cuff
  • Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
  • Luminous hands and markers for low light
  • Sits in the lower half of Rolex's range as we list it
Best forSwimmingSmall wristsEveryday wear

Price history

The price has risen £0 since 18 October. It's ranged between £5,955 and £6,850. Prices are checked every day, and we record any changes.

£6,850£6,6505 September

Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 alternatives

Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.

Oyster Perpetual 34 compared with 2 alternatives from other brands
SpecificationThis watchOyster Perpetual 34114200ZenithDefy Skyline 36mm Stainless Steel03.9400.670Grand SeikoHeritage Collection 25th Anniversary Limited Edition 37mm Stainless SteelSBGH311
Price£6,650£5,950£4,450
Case size34mm36mm37mm
Water resistance100m100m100m
MovementAutomaticAutomaticAutomatic
StrapStainless steel braceletStainless steel braceletStainless steel bracelet
Power reserve48 hours—55 hours
This watch
  • Wears larger
  • Costs less
  • Wears larger

Your new watch

Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch

Can I swim with it?

Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.

Water resistance explained

Will the glass scratch?

Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.

Sapphire, mineral and acrylic compared

Does it need a battery?

No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.

Quartz, automatic and solar compared

How long does it run for when it's not worn?

About 48 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.

What size strap does it take?

19mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.

Will it fit my wrist?

Lug-to-lug is 41.7mm, which suits wrists from roughly 15cm (6 inches) upward.

Lug-to-lug decides fit more than case diameter does.

How to size a watch to your wrist

Is it a men's or women's watch?

Listed as unisex, and at this size it suits any wrist that takes the dimensions.

Cheapest place to buy

Goldsmiths at £6,650 is the cheapest of 3 UK retailers, against £8,150 at the dearest — a difference of £1,500.

Has the price changed recently?

It's changed recently, it's higher than its previous recorded price. It's ranged between £5,955 and £6,850, today it's £6,650.

More Rolex watches like the Oyster Perpetual 34

In stock, and close on style and price