Description

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 steel vintage wristwatch, dated 1972
A stainless steel automatic centre seconds wristwatch with date

A handsome example of the classic Rolex Oyster Ref. 1500, this wristwatch has a smart silvered ‘sigma’ dial that is in excellent condition. So-called ‘sigma’ dials were introduced in the 1970s and are named after the use of the Greek letter ‘sigma’ which appears at the base of the dial to either end of the ‘Swiss’ graphic. These ‘sigmas’ indicate that the applied numerals to the dial are made from gold. Since numerals/indexes on watch dials are often either punched out from the dial’s surface or applied but with a plated finish, the ‘sigma’ sign was a useful way to indicate when gold was used and thereby highlight the quality of materials used.

Cased in stainless steel, the Oyster design has a  smooth chamfered bezel and typical screw-down Rolex crown and case back. Automatically wound, this model is powered by Rolex’s calibre 1570 with hack feature, when the crown is pulled out to set the time, the seconds hand is stopped, thereby allowing easy synchronisation to a time signal. There is some oxidation spotting to the hands.

Technical details

[M] Rolex calibre 1570 automatic movement, lever escapement, 26 jewels, mono-metallic compensation balance, 19,800 BPH, Kif shock absorber [D] silvered satin finished dial, applied gold faceted baton indexes with luminescent dots above, the broad quarter baton markers at 6 and 9 o’clock with finely ribbed centres, luminescent baton hands (please note that luminescence will have naturally dulled with age), centre seconds, aperture for date, outer black track for minutes/seconds [C] stainless steel Rolex Oyster case with polished finish, smooth chamfered bezel, the tops of the lugs with satin finish, screw-down Rolex crown and case back [S] case, dial, movement and crown signed

Measurements

Diameter excluding winding crown: 35mm
Length including lugs: 41.5mm
Depth to centre of crystal: 12mm
Lugs gauge/strap width: 19mm

This watch has been fully serviced and overhauled and is sold with a one year guarantee and detailed Black Bough certificate. A Black Bough leather watch pouch will accompany this watch.

£2,450.00 [Sold]