This is a very strange looking & highly collectible Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust with a "Quartz" case from the mid 1970s. The style of this case design was influenced by the 1st ever quartz watch by Rolex, Ref.5100 using the Beta 21movement which was made in limited numbers between 1970-1972.
By 1975 which this watch dates to, Rolex launched the ref.1530 with "Oyster" styled bracelet & the 1630 with "Jubilee" styled bracelet, both had the bracelets integrated with the case & in this instance, with the gold fused into part of the case to complete the half-gold look. Both were rated to 50m or 165ft. I was told that the 1630 was launched as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of Datejust. When I first saw the watch, I didn’t paid much attention to it as I thought it was the quartz model. Later, when Mr. Wong showed me the watch again, I was attracted by its unusual design... a it ugly but unique...
This is the first Datejust to feature a sapphire crystal & uses the Ca.1570 movement without quick-set date. It also has a slower beat of 19800vph instead of the later high-beat @ 28800 which generates better accuracy.
Only a small production of these were made & finally discontinued by 1977 with this half gold version produced in lesser number due to the complex case construction of fusing gold into steel. The design was subsequently carried on with a new chronometer certified quartz movement & under reference 140000. I strongly believe that the 1630 & 1530 will have high potential for prices to go up in the future owing to its rarity.
When buying the Rolex 1630, there is a need to be careful with the bracelet. The original bracelet that came with the 1630 has three centre rows in 14K gold with the outer links in steel and is referenced 96673. The main difference between the two-tone bracelet in the Oysterquartz ref. 17013 and this one, is that the bracelet on the Oysterquartz comes with two gold center links while the bracelet on the ref. 1630 has three gold center links. It is very common to have sellers replace the bracelet of the ref. 1630 with the one on the ref. 17013.
The number 14 indicating the type of yellow gold in this bracelet is 14K (Photo below)
This is the fof 19800vph instead of the later high-beat @ 28800 which generates better accuracy.
Only a small production of these were made & finally discontinued by 1977 with this halfgold version produced in lesser nos due to the complex case construction of fusing gold into steel. The design was subsequently carried on with a new chronometer certified quartz movement & under reference 140000.
I need to use two vintage Omega plus cash top up for this 1630. This is my new favorite 😊
https://www.watchcollectinglifestyle.com/home/insider-rolex-oysterquartz-ref-1630-the-automatic-oysterquartz-looking-watch
https://www.horobox.com/en/news-detail/quartz-revolution-with-rolex
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