Lot 29

Rolex

Datejust Oysterquartz

A rare vintage bi-color wristwatch with date and precision quartz movement from the first series, with original box, booklets, operating instructions and Rolex warranty repair receipt from 1979

Sold

All elements of this fine piece are in excellent original condition. Super-LumiNova was used for the series one dial and the hands. The case edges are unpolished and sharp, as is the bezel. The original steel and gold bracelet is extra-long and also in perfect original condition. This is an altogether well-designed, completely original watch, which was much cherished and lovingly cared for by its previous owner.

In answer to the quartz watch crisis, Rolex introduced in 1977 the models "Oysterquartz Datejust" (references 17000, 17013, 17014) and "Oysterquartz Day-Date" (references. 19018, 19019). The Oysterquartz is easily identified from the distinctive angular shape of the case and the links of the bracelet as well as from the inscription on the dial. The quartz movements were chronometer-certified from 1981 on, production ran until 2002. Due to its robustness the watch was used during several expeditions such as the 1978 ascent of Mount Everest by Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler. Today the Oysterquartz is a particularly rare timepiece that is hardly ever seen on the wrist and only very rarely comes up for sale. Estimates say that only approximately 25,000 examples were produced in total.