The Rolex Oysterquartz has now been discontinued for almost 17 years. The watch was the first Rolex to be fitted with a sapphire crystal and originally launched in 1977 in stainless steel, stainless steel with white gold bezel, stainless steel and 18K yellow gold, 18K white gold, and 18K yellow gold. It has been estimated that in all, close to 25,000 Rolex Oysterquartz watches were ever produced. The Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date ref. 19018 is one of the most coveted Oysterquartz with its fluted bezel, Oysterquartz President bracelet with a concealed clasp, and its unmistakeable ticking sound that comes from its quartz —battery powered— movement.
The Oysterquartz was launched during an era where quartz movements were increasingly becoming more important and in order to meet the demands of consumers, Rolex decided to venture into the quartz world with one of the most beautiful watch designs ever created. Its flat top case and integrated bracelet resemble the looks of the IWC Ingenieur SL, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and the Vacheron Constantin 222. Its unmistakeable seventies look is still quite contemporary for a watch first presented 43 years ago.
Featuring a 36 mm case in 18K yellow gold that wears more like a 38 mm one, makes the Oysterquartz a perfect unisex watch that is even more wearable by most than the traditional Oyster Perpetual President in the same size.
This rare bird from 1978 is fitted with the traditional champagne dial, however, this reference was available with no less than six dial variations and with its day of the week disc available in no less than 20 languages, in the case of this example we have here the day of the week is displayed in Italian.
Its integrated bracelet flows seamlessly with the case and its design is simply timeless. The supple bracelet is not too heavy nor too flimsy. Featuring satin-brushed links with polished center links, the design of this presidential bracelet is much nicer than the traditional automatic Day-Date president bracelet. Perhaps less ‘granny’ looking and more modern and contemporary because of the rectangular shape of its links. Something worth mentioning is that the bracelet on the Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date features screws to make link adjustments while the rest of the Oysterquartz bracelets are pin adjusted.
Additionally, there are other 18K yellow gold references like the 19028, 19038, 19068, and the 19078 were fitted with a different bracelet called ‘Pyramidal’ bracelet with a finish on the center links that feature eight small pyramids and that matched the pyramidal bezel fitted on them. The total weight of the watch is 148 grams with all 25 links on its bracelet as it came from factory. Fitted with a concealed clasp to maintain an uninterrupted flow of the bracelet links, the Rolex Oysterquartz Day-Date ref. 19018 is the perfect Rolex President for those that want an unconventional look.
The Oysterquartz was fitted with the Rolex in-house calibre 5035 for the date model and with the calibre 5055 for the Day-Date model. Although a battery-powered movement, the finishing is as good as in any other Rolex mechanical movement. A particular characteristic of this movement is its loud ticking sound. So loud you can hear it at night when you are starting to fall asleep or even if you are in a very quiet place and you bring the watch up to the level of your cheek.
This beautiful reference now forgot by most watch collectors, was not only one of the first Rolex models to be fitted with a sapphire crystal at the time but also the only Rolex model to be supplied with a solid link integrated bracelet with no end links. Long live the Rolex Oysterquartz and especially the Day-Date model that is as unique and badass as it gets. If you find one, expect to pay anywhere between $9,800-12,000 USD based on the overall condition of the watch and the availability of boxes and papers.
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