Rolex Oysterquartz Datejust 17000 Silver Dial with Service Guarantee
During the onslaught of the Japanese-led Quartz Crisis of the 70s and 80’s, Swiss watchmakers for forced to adapt to remain competitive in the market, or let themselves be swallowed up by their competition. As a way to deal with the Quartz Crisis, Rolex decided to release their own quartz timepiece in 1977, the Oysterquartz. In 1970, Rolex had released the precursor to the Oysterquartz, the Quartz Date 5100, powered by the Beta 21 movement, the result of a large-scale Swiss collaboration. While the Oysterquartz was loosely based on the ref. 5100, the Oysterquartz’ movement was in a league of its own. With 11 jewels, the latest CMOS circuitry, a 32000-hertz oscillator, and analog thermocompensation to regulate the quartz crystal, the Oysterquartz’s movement was held to just as high a standard as Rolex’s more typical mechanical movements. Besides its unusual movement, the Oysterquartz also features a unique construction in terms of its case shape and bracelet design, with an integrated bracelet attached to a tonneau-shaped case. Offered as an Oysterquartz version of the Datejust, the ref. 17000 that we have here features a single-link Oyster-style bracelet, a domed stainless steel bezel alongside its entirely stainless steel construction, and a rich silver dial that is sure to pull at the heartstrings of any Rolex collector. With Rolex’s signature cyclops lens over its 3 o’clock date window and its unique design, the ref. 17000 is a rich piece of Rolex’s history that has finally garnered the plaudits from collectors that it deserves.
THE DIAL With its gently aged silver dial giving away none of this ref. 17000's quartz-powered secrets, it is only those in the know that can recognize this watch as being a very rare quartz-powered Rolex.
THE CONSTRUCTION Bearing a construction style that is quite uncommon for Rolex, the ref. 17000 features an integrated bracelet that allows its 36mm case to wear larger than its measurements suggest.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT Powered by Rolex's famously complex quartz cal. 5035, the Oysterquartz gives no readout on our Timing Machine.
