Kensington Watches
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date

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Rolex

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date

Ref. 115200

The Oyster Perpetual Date 34 is the modern evolution of a format Rolex has refined across decades. The six-digit 115200 replaced the five-digit 15200 with a rebuilt case architecture and solid bracelet links throughout — structural choices rather than cosmetic ones, and ones that still read as a definitive version of a very long-running design. At 34mm it sits closer to 35mm on the wrist than the number suggests, partly because the updated lugs carry slightly more presence than the vintage references it descends from, and partly because the case wears flat and low enough to slip beneath a shirt cuff without a thought. The black dial reads very cleanly against the 18ct white gold applied indices, and holds its legibility across light conditions. The Calibre 3135 is the movement Rolex built its certified chronometer reputation on — COSC Superlative rated, and notably robust for everyday wear over years rather than months. The Oyster bracelet here has polished centre links and brushed outer links, and fastens with an Oysterclasp that incorporates the Easylink extension: 5mm of adjustment that can be dialled in on the wrist without tools. It is a detail that sounds minor and becomes quietly useful the moment temperature or clothing changes.

Reference
115200
Brand
Rolex
Collection
Oyster Perpetual
Case size
34mm
Case thickness
11.5mm
Lug width
19mm
Case material
Stainless steel
Case shape
Round
Dial
Black
Crystal
Sapphire
Movement
Automatic
Calibre
3135
Functions
Date
Water resistance
100m
Bracelet / strap
Stainless steel bracelet
Strap colour
Silver
Clasp
Folding clasp
Lume
Super-LumiNova
Retailer
Goldsmiths
Additional specifications
Lug-to-lug
42mm
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 3 collections

This watch appears in Stainless Steel Watches (2,516), Automatic Watches (1,407) and Watches Under 37mm (1,313).

Manufacturer’s guarantee

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
Best forSwimmingSmall wristsEveryday wear

Compare alternatives

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

Oyster Perpetual Date compared with 2 alternatives from other brands
SpecificationThis watchOyster Perpetual Date115200ZenithDefy Midnight 36mm Ladies Watch Blue03.9200.670/01.MI001Grand SeikoHeritage Collection 37mm Mens Watch BlueSBGH347
Price£6,850£7,900£6,300
Case size34mm36mm37mm
Water resistance100m100m100m
MovementAutomaticAutomaticAutomatic
StrapStainless steel braceletStainless steel braceletStainless steel bracelet
Power reserve48 hours55 hours
This watch
  • Costs more
  • Wears larger
  • 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.

Will the glass scratch?

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

Does it need a battery?

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

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 42mm, which suits wrists from roughly 15cm (6 inches) upward.

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

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 £6,850 is the cheapest of 4 UK retailers, against £7,250 at the dearest — a difference of £400.

Who are Goldsmiths?

Goldsmiths has been selling watches in Britain since 1778 and is part of the Watches of Switzerland Group, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. They are an authorised dealer, so a watch comes with the manufacturer’s own warranty.

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