ROLEX | OYSTERQUARTZ, REFERENCE 17000, STAINLESS STEEL WRISTWATCH WITH DATE AND BRACELET, CIRCA 1977

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.

The newly developed reference 17000 was both a technical and design tour-de-force upon its release. Rolex was of course able to maintain the use of their highly-praised Oyster case to fit the newly developed calibre 5035, which in typical Rolex over-engineered fashion, boasted the remarkable amount of 11 jewels and an accuracy which put Swiss watchmaking back on the international forefront of both tradition and innovation.

The present stainless-steel example was manufactured in 1977, the year the Oysterquartz was introduced. This early piece falls into the Mark I production period, with a non-COSC certified calibre and a dial mentioning “Rolex Datejust” with “Oysterquartz” only. Collectors will certainly appreciate the great condition of this rare timepiece, offered in its desirable black dial variant.