Red Grape Oyster Perpetual

[cenzor]

I will try to do a brief review of a kinky and funky looking watch.

From time to time people criticize that the forum focuses only on expensive watches. So I am taking a note and will do a review of one of the cheapest ... Rolexes available.

Model number # 114300, Rolex Oyster Perpetual

Considered the successor of the old AirKing (which was positioned as an entry level /no thrills model for the brand), yet at the same time - the kinky twin of the legendary Rolex Explorer (for this - slightly down).

At first glance - clean, Oyster, nothing special. Under certain angle - you will not even recognize what you are watching:





No AR coating, something faded , with just a hint that something colorful is hidden there. The crown is small (yet nice and proportional to the case), the case itself - hm, so we've already seen that before. Bezel is polished and shiny, the rest is brushed. It looks wearable .... but the audience is not yet impressed.

Gently rotate the housing (or the camera) and things start to take a better shape:




A little more ...



And the side profile:







Markers sticking up briskly, corronet is applied ,so all of them give depth and substance to the dial. Three large Luminova covered markers @ 3-6-9 positions, hands are also covered in Luminova. Theybdon't glow quite bright in the dark, but this is not a diver , so this is forgivable.
The last of the pictures above is from the Internet, macros like this I cannot take.

We continue, and the beauty of the watch is almost revealed.





And at the end, full front to reveal what has been hiding so far:





Sunburst dial in saturated inkish purple (that would be Red Grape, right, Rolex accept my appologies). One color in the shadows, when the light hits it - completely different.

Small, contrasting markers in explosive pink. Indices and hands of white gold to prevent future corrosion, and to catch light in a fantastic way. 39 mm case and bracelet made of 904L steel. Finely brushed bracelet and upper surface of the lugs, while the bezel and sides of the case and mirrored polished. High quality clasp, although it misses the Easylink.
Laser engraved corronet, deep into the clasp. The years of evolution have suggested to Rolex, that this is the better option instead of protruding corronets, which slowly disappear with each polishing.








The case, the movement, the bracelet are identical to Rolex Explorer 39mm (Ref # 214270). Only the dial/hands and clasp set them apart.
[B]Explorer[/ b] - sports and a rich 50 year heritage, Mercedes arrows and black dial.
[B]Oyster Perpetual[/ b] - slightly sporty, but more elegant. Almost a dress watch. Fresh colors of the dial, classic arrows and stick markers.

Side by side, with picture borrowed from the internet:





Overall impression - great daily watch, excellent detail and execution , quality is on par with its more expensive brothers.
Fun color of the dial is what really sets it apart from the other Rolexes. It takes a bit to get used to it, but once you do - it can be a lifetime watch.

[Gaijin]

Excellent review. Thank you.

[jlevitt9]

The OP with rhodium dial is such a gorgeous watch....each time I see it I want it more!

[branman1986]

I love the color...eye catching! Thanks for the review!

[ajas]

Excellent review and photos. Thank you very much.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[EDL7]

Perfection!

[FTE2014]

Very interesting!

[Psmith]

Nice review, thanks

[cenzor]

Gentlemen, thank you for the kind words!
I will do a follow up, a side by side comparison with Explorer 2 (16570), when I have a bit more time.

[cenzor]

And a bit "glow in the dark" photos. Faint but neverthess, it is there.
Happy (upcoming) holidays to all !

[madgoal1]

Bought the wife the red grape OP, but in 34mm. It is a great watch and she loves it which i suppose is important lol.

[nigelUK]

Love the Grape . . . I have the blue but deliberated over the Grape for a while. The dials are awesome. Thanks for the review

[Cru Jones]

Nice post and pics. Thanks!

[Allanmodel]

Love this colour~~

And thanks for the review~~

[Gaijin]

I picked this up kinda by accident. Ran across a NIB Grape that I couldn't pass on. Wanted the Rhodium but saw this.


Love it. It hasn't left my wrist since I bought it.

[Gerardus]

Excellent review, thanks for sharing, huge 114300 fan here.

[Hollister]

The only watch in Rolex's current lineup that I want is this one. Superb!

[Jack T]

Excellent photos, and a brief, simple review, like the watch. Aside from the dial, is it any different from the Explorer? Movement, bracelet, crown?

[cenzor]

Originally Posted by Jack T

Excellent photos, and a brief, simple review, like the watch. Aside from the dial, is it any different from the Explorer? Movement, bracelet, crown?

Thanks to all for the positive posts!
As for the difference with the Explorer - I think only the clasp is different - Easylink for the Explorer and plain clasp for the OP. And the dial/hands of course.
All else is the same movement , case, cristal, etc.
I am wondering what the Explorer hand would look on the OP? Tempted to try it, but better see of anyone has done it before (or someone with Photoshop skills to help).

[mjclark32]

Great post/review, bought the blue dial a week ago and love it

[kwingy]

I love this watch in green but in Purple it defintely is different. Enjoy!

[Allanmodel]

Great review!

Was thinking getting one of this Grape OP, but hold back awhile for other watches~~

[Nikrnic]

Love, love love it!!

[stevepowell]

I looked at this one side by side with the new Explorer I. I went with the Explorer as it has a more sport look to it.

[ekiro]

Fantastic photos sir!

[antoflo]

Great review and photos !

[skrtalal]

thanks for the review!!

[Just_Watch]

Nice review! I have one with Rhodium dial, I'm thinking about selling as I'm now leaving toward the 214270 instead.

[akira23]

Nice review! I went with the Red Grape as well! Love it!

[opawlows]

I keep coming back to the red grape OP. Let's see some more pics out in the sun!