Rolex Oyster Perpetual 4214

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 4214 is an uncommon vintage model dating to the early 1940s, produced during a time of experimentation and refinement in Rolex’s waterproof and self-winding watch lines. It features a 30mm stainless steel or gold case, incorporating the screw-down crown and caseback that defined the Oyster case design, along with a domed acrylic crystal for enhanced water resistance. This reference likely housed an early Rolex automatic movement—possibly a bumper or primitive rotor-based caliber—offering bi-directional winding and an estimated 36-hour power reserve. Dial designs were modest and period-appropriate, often featuring sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, applied Arabic numerals or indices, and radium-lumed hands. The lug-to-lug length is approximately 36mm with a lug width of 16mm, yielding a small but historically accurate presence on the wrist. The 4214 stands out as part of Rolex’s transitional models, bridging the gap between manual wind watches and the fully developed automatic Perpetual line. Today, it is appreciated by collectors for its understated design, early automatic movement, and contribution to the development of the Oyster Perpetual lineage.