Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1503 - Sunburst Champagne 'UAE Armed Forces' Dial Unpolished

Name: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1503 - Sunburst Champagne 'UAE Armed Forces' Dial Unpolished
Brand: Oliver & Clarke
SKU: OC3160
Price: 12850.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

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 Date, is a descendant of those early watches, though is probably not what first comes to mind when your hear Oyster Perpetual...

Dating to circa 1979, this Reference 1503 represents the high-end of the Oyster line, featuring a solid 18k yellow gold case, a yellow gold 'fluted' bezel, and a gorgeous sunburst champagne dial within. The overall condition is exceptional. Seemingly spared of any previous polished, it shows normal signs of wear with a striking, rosy/orange oxidation present throughout. The 'fluted' bezel remains crisp and the case displays fantastic definition with clear hallmarks and symmetrical lugs. And then, there is the dial inside. Champagne in color, it bears a colorful crest belonging to the UAE Armed Forces on the lower half extending up around the center post. The dial itself remains in fantastic overall condition, with fully intact and evenly patinated Tritium plots and a matching handset. Last but not least, it comes fitted to a leather strap with a Rolex signed buckle.

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, special dial, and exemplary overall condition stands out from not just its OP siblings, but punches way above its class.

Yellow Gold 1979 Unpolished Automatic 35mm SKU: OC3160

Condition Report & Details

Condition:

Case: Seemingly unpolished, with thick and symmetrical lugs and clear hallmarks on the undersides. Shows normal signs of wear throughout with no significant blemishes or damage. There is a prominent, rich 'rosy' oxidation present throughout.

Bezel: Unpolished, with defined finishing and shows normal wear.

Dial: Excellent, nicely-preserved, with crisp sunburst finishing throughout and only minor edge wear at the 11-1:00 position. The Tritium plots remain fully-intact and exhibit a rich and uniform patina throughout. Correct handset matches beautifully to the naked eye and under UV inspection.

Movement:

Automatic-winding chronometer certified calibre by Rolex.

Bracelet/Strap:

Pictured green leather strap with signed yellow gold tone buckle.

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.

"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.

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