Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 - Tropical 'Gilt' Dial
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.
Dating to circa 1961, this Reference 1500 features a 35mm Oyster case with a smooth steel bezel and a period-correct 'rivet' Oyster bracelet with a blade clasp. The case, bezel and bracelet each show signs of a very light, tasteful previous polishing and normal signs of wear otherwise. The dial within this piece is the real highlight here. The once glossy black dial had changed to an absolutely stunning, rich brown color throughout. The patina looks almost intentional — uniform throughout with beautiful applied indices and a matching 'alpha' handset.
The Oyster Perpetual line presents great value next to its slightly larger Datejust siblings, while simultaneously representing the essence of Rolex.
You could say that this example, with its's stunning dial and excellent overall condition, is exceptional value relative to its siblings from the Professional or an equivalent Day-Date.
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 does not cover 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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