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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref 1018 - 36mm Case

SOLD

Straight Facts

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 Oyster Perpetual eventually became the introductory model for Rolex after the 36mm Datejust was introduced in 1945 - but it never went away and is still in the Rolex catalog. However, as it was the introductory model back in the mid 20th Century - they very rarely made 36mm versions of the watch - which is exactly what we have here. This reference 1018 is one of the rarest Oyster Perpetuals ever made. At first glance, it simply looks like a no-date Datejust … which is kind of exactly what it is! Housed in the iconic 36mm Oyster case, but with a silvered sunburst dial devoid of excess text or a date window. This is an exercise in restraint. Married to a period Rolex 7206 Rivet bracelet, this might be the cleanest Rolex available in terms of condition, or style, one can get.

 *Some marks or spots on the dial are reflections or dust on the crystal and are due to high intensity strobe lighting used while photographing. They are not actually on the watch or visible in natural lighting.

Stainless Steel 1967 Automatic Dress

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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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