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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1503/8 - Gloss Black 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. This watch represents an evolution of that, when these were still semi-bubble back watches.
The piece that we have here, simply know as an Oyster Perpetual, is a descendant of those early watches, utilizing a water-resistant Oyster case, an automatic-winding movement, and nothing else. No frills — purely a functional timekeeping device.
Dating to circa 1978, this Reference 1503/8 is actually a fairly uncommon configuration, and a stunning one at that. It features a 34mm Oyster case finished in solid 18k yellow gold, rather than the much more common 14k, as well as a glossy black dial, rather than a much more common silver or champagne dial. It comes to us in absolutely superb overall condition, showing signs of having been very lightly previously polished on what appears to be only the profiles and top of the lugs, while respecting factory proportions. It shows only light signs of wear from age and use throughout with a matching 'fluted' yellow gold bezel, which is seemingly unpolished. Inside, the gloss black dial is immaculate — seemingly flawless — with a deep 'inky' black surface and fully-intact Tritium plots. They are evenly patinated and match the handset perfectly.
Despite being ‘entry-level’ these offer a ton of character and remain an overlooked part of the important history of Rolex on their journey to the powerhouse brand that they are today. This is nothing short of a delightful vintage piece that can be worn every single day, on any occasion, and on virtually any wrist.
This one, with is 18k construction, uncommon black dial, and its overall condition is truly something special and remains a bargain when compared to its slightly larger Datejust and Day-Date siblings.
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 Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1503/8 - Gloss Black DialSale price$7,350.00 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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