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The 1970s brought upon an interesting era for the Swiss watchmaking industry. The designs became bolder, funkier, and more colorful. Not only was it time for an aesthetic transformation, but along came the Quartz Crisis which swept the entire industry in a way the world has never seen before. Without this alarming phenomenon, major Swiss watchmaking companies perhaps would never have considered using a quartz movement in any of their watches.
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After a long five-year Research and Development, Rolex introduced the Oysterquartz model in 1977 with its first in-house quartz movement. The Caliber 5035, as featured in this present example, is with the date function and the Caliber 5055 is with the date and the days of the week as fitted in the Day-Date model. The brand new Oysterquartz case design incorporated the geometric tonneau case shape that was impossibly fresh for Rolex at the time. The rough waters of the Quartz Crisis subsided, and it was time for the Oysterquartz model to seize production in 2001, with only an estimated 25,000 Oysterquartz's produced.
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The Specs
Age: c.1984.
Reference: 17014.
Movement: Quartz.
Calibre: 5035.
Timekeeping: Keeping great time.
Service History: Unknown, Correct Battery Fitted December 2024.
Dial: Original Rolex Factory Dial.
Case: All Stainless Steel
Measurements: 36mm.
Hands: Original Handset.
Crystal: Original Sapphire.
Crown: Original.
Strap/Bracelet: On its original Integrated Rolex 17010 Bracelet. This Bracelet is huge and we believe it to be full size.
Getting Acquainted
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Bits that stand out:
- Wonderful Condition.
- 1 of only 25,000 Produced.
- Geometric tonneau case
- Interesting bracelet design
- Excellent Quality Quartz Movement.
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Nitty Gritty:
-Some minor Scratches throughout the Case and Bracelet.
Fantastic uncommon Rolex and Investment.