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Rolex Datejust 'Oysterquartz' - Ref. 17013
SOLD
Straight Facts
The First Rule of Rolex: Rolexes Don’t Tick. (except when they do?)
It used to be that they way you knew a fake Rolex from a real one, was that Rolexes didn’t tick. They were known for that gentle perpetual sweeping motion. Surely a brand as vaunted as Rolex would never make a battery powered watch. Wrong.
The 1970s were an interesting time for the watch industry. The Great Quartz Crisis from Japan offered the world better quality watches, that were more accurate, more reliable, and eventually more affordable. A bit of the kiss of death for mechanical watchmaking at the time - even the best of automatic watches will still lose accuracy overtime - something a quartz watch never has to contend with. Many of the great Swiss watch brands disappeared during this time. Brands like Universal Geneve, Gallet, Zodiac, and even Blancpain were wiped away some to disappear for decades. Rolex responded with their own version of the quartz watch - they called it the Oysterquartz. Housed in a more style-forward angular sports case that was desired in the 1970s and using an in-house quartz movement … this is a real battery powered Rolex watch!
These are extremely rare - as they did not stay in the lineup for long. By the middle of the 1980s, the Swiss watch industry was able to pivot and re-establish itself as a luxury product worthy of higher prices that could justify the cost and complexity of making a mechanical watch. So this Oysterquartz is massively important in the history of Rolex representing the only time in its century of business that it was ever under siege in a truly threatening way.
That being said, the present Oysterquartz is in excellent condition with strong bevels and a very rare blue dial. The two-tone nature of its 18K Yellow Gold and Steel Case really highlights the 1970s design in an authentic way, and we couldn’t be more pleased to offer it onto its next owner.
*Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting
Condition Report & Details
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Shipping, Returns, & Warranty
Every Oliver & Clarke timepiece comes with a one-year mechanical warranty starting from the date of delivery. We ensure all watches are in wonderful working condition and are ready for daily wear. Many have been fully serviced by our team of watchmakers.
Please note:
- Due to the vintage or antique nature of many of our watches, they may not keep time as accurately as when new, nor as precisely as quartz or electronic devices.
- We do not guarantee water resistance and do not warranty against moisture or water damage. Deliberate exposure to water or steam is not recommended.
Warranty Exclusions:
- Internal or external damage caused by accidents, mishandling, abuse, modifications, or services performed by anyone other than our authorized personnel.
- Our warranty is non-transferable.
The Oliver & Clarke Guarantee
At Oliver & Clarke, we meticulously vet each watch to ensure its authenticity and quality. Your satisfaction is our top priority, and our mission is to help you find the perfect timepiece. If you have any questions, we are here to assist you promptly.
Our Guarantee:
- Each timepiece is thoroughly evaluated, authenticated, and approved by our expert team before it is offered for sale.
- We guarantee the period-correctness of all components unless otherwise stated.
- The authenticity of each watch is guaranteed in perpetuity.
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Rolex Datejust 'Oysterquartz' - Ref. 17013Sale price$4,500.00 USD Regular price
"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."
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From Rolex & Patek Philippe, to Cartier & Audemars Piguet. As collectors first, we love the small details that separate the Submariner from Daytona and Calatrava from Royal Oak. This is why you'll find our curated assortment spans decades of generations of models and brands. We believe that watches don't just tell time, they tell history - and life is too short to wear a boring watch.
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