Up for sale is this genuinely rare and unusual Rolex ref. 1630 Oyster Perpetual Chronometer Datejust in steel & 14k gold Oysterquartz-style tonneau case with integrated bracelet. The ref. 1630, along with its fellow cult classic the ref. 1530 Date model, actually predates the Oysterquartz line and was an experimental design trial balloon by Rolex in the mid-1970s in response, I feel, to watches like the AP Royal Oak with their angular, modernist design. These automatic models were quickly abandoned by Rolex, however, in favor of installing only the new quartz movements in this case style going forward and were therefore produced in very limited numbers as Oyster Perpetuals. These were also the very first Rolex produced with ultra-hard synthetic sapphire crystals.
This circa 1975 Datejust is in Excellent overall original condition with sharp chamfers and its correct 96673 gold & steel bracelet. It features a gorgeous Near Mint silver champagne dial, much more uncommon than the typical yellow champagne dials one normally sees on these. To put the cherry on top of the sundae, the redoubtable cal. 1575 engine has just been fully overhauled by my Master Watchmaker for years more faithful service to the new owner and the watch comes with a 6-month movement guarantee for all normal, non-abusive use.
The asking price for this scarce and fully serviced 1630 Datejust is
$4050 USD OBRO, which
includes fully insured FedEx shipping worldwide. Payment by Bank Wire preferred. Other payment options upon application. Payment must be made in US DOLLARS. Watch will ship upon full clearance of the funds, as well as any necessary bank vetting.
>>>
Click Here for Large Dial Scan 
CASE & CASEBACK: Avant garde angular tonneau 36mm stainless steel Oyster case has very sharp chamfers and is very fat with only some minor nicks to the mirror-finish case sides and satin finish top. It's quite difficult to tell if the case has been polished before but if it has it was clearly done by a Rolex trained pro. So the case is in solidly Excellent overall vintage condition, which is well above average for these models because they usually show a lot more wear and tear. The correct model # 1630 & case SN of 4.1 million (making this one of the earliest 1630s I have come across) are also perfectly legible in their unique position on the underside of the case, along with STAINLESS STEEL & REGISTERED DESIGN. The outer caseback is dedication free and shows only light wear, easily Excellent to Near Mint cosmetic condition. The inner caseback is corrosion free and has the correct model reference and nomenclature for the period.
DIAL & HANDS: Absolutely stunning and Near Mint pale silver-gold dial with faceted yellow gold bar markers and separate sloped chapter ring. These 2-piece dials are unique to this reference--you cannot pop a standard Datejust dial in one of these--and the only thing keeping this one from being Mint by my strict standards is the absence of the lume dots on the inner chapter ring (they appear to have been professionally removed) and some very slight degradation to the marker at "4". However, the sunburst dial has no scratches and all print is original and intact. Overall, the dial really looks as if it was brand new and not nearly 40-years-old and wears beautifully on the wrist. Classic Tritium-filled gold stick hands are Near Mint with no corrosion and only some minor signs of aging but the baton sweep seconds does show some corrosion to its plating and so is Very Good. Original silver date wheel is present. All in all, a fantastic and rare Datejust dial in top condition!
CROWN: The signed gold Rolex Twinlock crown shows minor wear and screws down properly and pulls out to the winding and hacking time-setting positions easily.
CRYSTAL: The sapphire Cyclops crystal is scratch & chip free and Mint.
BEZEL: Lovely classic fluted yellow gold bezel is model-correct and a bit taller than a standard DJ bezel. It has not been over polished and is quite crisp, showing only some minor wear--easily Excellent condition.
MOVEMENT: The secret weapon underneath this 1630's hood is Rolex's legendary cal. 1575 26-jewel automatic Chronometer-grade movement with hacking feature. As stated above, finding an auto caliber in this sort of case is what makes the 1630 such a rare bird. As I also mentioned, this iconic Rolex movement has just been fully overhauled by my NYC Master Watchmaker, which included significant repairs to the manual wind mechanism. So of course it is running strong, keeping great time with patented instantaneous shutter-like date change at midnight and it is guaranteed against any problems for 6-months of normal, non-abusive use.
BRACELET: This great Datejust comes on its correct integrated 96673 14k and steel square link "Jubilee" bracelet. This bracelet has 12 links and has very, very light stretch (a comfortable "play" to the links is probably a better word) and is in easily Excellent original condition with some minor marks and light tarnish to some of the gold links. It is currently sized to fit my 7 1/4" wrist and should fit up to about a 7.5" wrist at full length.
I make NO guarantees for the water resistance of this watch, as I have opened it to take pictures. Please take it to your local watchmaker and have him screw it down professionally & then have it pressure tested. Usually these sapphire models pass with flying colors.
This cult classic Rolex 1630 Datejust is offered with a 3-day inspection period from the date of receipt and may be returned for a full refund (less any shipping costs incurred by the buyer). This refund is unconditional and once I get back the watch in exactly the same condition as it was sent to you, your money will be refunded. Of course, once the 3 days are over the sale will be considered FINAL.
Thanks for looking,
T.
tomvox1 AT hotmail DOT com
United States
