Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date - Ref. 1501 'Long Index 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 know 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, dependable timekeeping device.
Dating to circa 1976, this Reference 1501 features a 34mm case, remaining in very nice, likely-unpolished condition. It shows normal signs of wear form age and use and some 'sleeve polish' with a few very small impressions on the left case profile and one on the bottom edge of the lower right lug. The sunburst blue dial remains in excellent, vibrant condition and features printed 'long' indices and well as applied stylized indices. The Tritium plots on the outside of the indices are evenly patinated and fully-intact, with some faint wear surrounding each. The handset shows mild oxidation and the Tritium matching the dial nicely.
Fitted to a correct folded-link Oyster bracelet, this very 1970s piece offers a funky, slightly out of the ordinary vibe next to its more restrained siblings.
It presents great value next to its more well-known siblings, and truly represents the essence of Rolex.
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.
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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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