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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 - Blue 'Long Index' Dial

SOLD

If you boil Rolex down to its purest form, what do you get?

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual. This is truly the genesis for the entire Rolex brand. The very first Rolex models were called ‘Oysters’ which was owed to their innovative three part case that all screwed into each-other. That is where the fluted bezel actually derives from, being screwed down into the top of the case to secure the crystal with a gasket - as well as the grooves on the oyster case back. All makes sense now - right?

The piece that we have here, simply known as an Oyster Perpetual Date, is a descendant of those early watches, utilizing a water-resistant Oyster case, an automatic-winding movement, and a date complication. A functional, sturdy, and dependable timekeeping device.

The piece that we have here is a Reference 1500 dating to circa 1968. The 35mm Oyster case and a correct smooth steel bezel remain in strong overall condition and show matching normal wear throughout. The dial within, however, is the real highlight here. Blue in color, it features an attractive and vibrant sunburst finishing and rather than the usual indices, it possesses elongated minute indices, resulting in a more stylized, whimsical look relative to its contemporaries.

Last but not least, this piece comes fitted to a Rolex-signed black leather strap with a Rolex-signed steel buckle — a surprisingly rare find!

The Oyster Perpetual line presents great value next to its slightly larger Datejust siblings, while simultaneously representing the essence of Rolex. This example, with that wildly cool dial, is not just a great entry point to a vintage Rolex, but could easily be your one vintage watch.

Stainless Steel 1968 Automatic 35

"As collectors themselves, Oliver and Clarke are on a mission to make buying vintage watches as painless as possible."

"The company focuses on good prices for its pieces, elite customer service and full transparency."

"The appointment-only space is inviting, with comfortable seating areas and exposed brick walls."

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.

Oliver & Clarke