Important Watches: Part I
Important Watches: Part I
Property of a European Royal Family
Rolex
Oysterquartz Day-Date, Ref. 19028 Yellow gold wristwatch with day, date and 'Pyramide' bezel and bracelet Circa 1987 | 勞力士19028型號「Oysterquartz Day-Date」黃金鍊帶腕錶備星期及日期顯示，年份約1987
Auction Closed
May 11, 01:00 PM GMT
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 CHF
Lot Details
Description
Property of a European Royal Family
Rolex
Oysterquartz Day-Date, Ref. 19028
Yellow gold wristwatch with day, date and 'Pyramide' bezel and bracelet
Circa 1987
勞力士19028型號「Oysterquartz Day-Date」黃金鍊帶腕錶備星期及日期顯示，年份約1987
Dial: silvered
Calibre: cal. 5055 quartz, 11 jewels
Movement number: 0'021'329
Case: 18k yellow gold, screw-down back
Case number: 9'723'161
Closure: 18k yellow gold Rolex 'Pyramide' bracelet and folding clasp
Dimensions: 36 mm, bracelet circumference approx. 180 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: no
Papers: no
Accessories: none
Lead by a succession of plummeting sales for most of the market players, the 1970s proved to be a tough period for the Swiss watchmaking industry as the quartz technology threatened the traditional way of delivering timekeeping. Following the use of the co-developed Beta 21 calibre in the elusive references 1530 and 1630, Rolex issued their own quartz calibre after 5 years of research and development. The Oysterquartz was therefore born in 1977, acting as the brand’s forefront soldier against the overwhelming implementation of the cheaper and more accurate quartz technology.
Rolex produced the quartz calibre 5035 for the Datejust and the quartz calibre 5055 for the Day-Date, both movements beautifully crafted and rivaling mechanical competitors in elegance and beauty. The two versions were produced until the early 2000s and since then, Rolex has not produced any other Oysterquartz models.
The present example is a reference 19028 with rare and attractive 'Pyramide' bezel and bracelet, stemming from a European Royal family and retained in very attractive condition.