Rolex 114300 Dark Rhodium
The Rolex 114300 could be described as a Rolex for a non-Rolex enthusiast. Released in 2015 and discontinued in 2020, we take a look at the Oyster Perpetual 39 Dark Rhodium model while discussing ADs, the gray market, pros, cons, and of course I include macro views.
The Review
https://youtu.be/Amm8xwAsibU
Details:
- Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 39 Dark Rhodium
- Reference: 114300-0001
- Diameter: 39.12mm
- Height: 11.35mm
- Lug Width: 20mm
- Lug-to-lug: 47.4mm
- Weight: ~129g
- Case: Stainless steel
- Movement: Rolex Calibre 3132 w/ Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorption
- Power Reserve: ~48 hours
- Accuracy: Superlative COSC Chronometer (+-2 secs/day)
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 10atm/100m/300ft
All of the finer details are discussed in the video instead of text here. The topics illustrated in the review are listed below.
Video Timeline:
- Intro
- Initial thoughts and specs: 3:10
- Authorized Dealers (ADs): 5:49
- Pros: 10:03
- The Gray Market: 12:45
- Cons: 14:24
- Macro View: 18:22
- Super Macro View: 21:15
- Final thoughts: 22:39
Pros:
- Simple 3-hand design
- Ideal size for a variety of wrists and settings
- Sunburst dial and colors
- Varying look in different light (tones of gray, brown, and black)
- Case shape, nicely wraps around the wrist (my wrist is ~7.5in/19cm)
- Transitions between brushed and polished
- Twinlock crown
- Bracelet is excellent with the satin brushing, screwed links, and simple clasp!
- No date! Yay!
Cons:
- Rolex Authorized Dealers (ADs) can be shady (thankfully not all of them)
- The Gray Market…outta control
- Cost. Although there is some good engineering and it is a great design, the price point is high given the facts. Rolex can get away with it, but at $5,700 list and now between $7,000-$9000 gray market, other brands offer superior technology, quality, and creativity at that aftermarket price point. But if you are after a simple high-quality watch and can get it at list or below then it is worth considering.
- Lume is weak
- Misaligned hands, a more common issue with Rolex than one might think. (Pictures above show ~3 minute misalignment.)
Final Thought
I do consider the OP39s (now discontinued), the Rolex for non-Rolex enthusiasts. If you want a reasonable quality simple watch, it fits the bill. As with any watch, the Rolex 114300 has pros and cons, as discussed in the video review. I have decided it will stay in the collection, but I remain a little jaded with my initial interactions with Rolex dealers. Thankfully, I’ve found an AD that is much more on the same page as me and is working out well.