Loving those 34mm 1002s

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Having finally gotten the bracelet issues squared away, I wanted to do a little homage thread to 1002s, an under appreciated reference in some corners of Rolex world.

These two watches are the first and last (most recent) Rolexes I have bought. I think they are gorgeous. I find myself putting them on just to look at the dials all day.



As I’ve posted previously, my most recent Rolex pickup was this Shantung dialed 1002. I’ve now put it on an older Rolex USA Jubilee bracelet. Until recently, I had no idea such 1002s existed.
https://omegaforums.net/threads/lov...002-update-arrival.118004/page-2#post-1575482

My very first Rolex was this 1002, with what I call a mercury colored sigma dial. I bought it at a local estate auction in 1984 for around $275. I love how subtle the dial is and how it changes color with the light. Only recently did I put it on this later Oyster bracelet, which really makes the watch, I think.



They are both 1570s and very very accurate still, gaining less than 2 seconds per day.



A lot of collectors poo poo these 34mm watches. I have small wrists, so they’re perfect for me. I also much prefer the no-date faces as I am one of the cyclops-haters. A bonus is the non-Rolex looking smooth bezel, which I prefer to those fluted ones.



For the sake of completion, I confess here and now how hard it was not to buy @slique12 ’s beautiful blue dialed 1003. 🥰


https://omegaforums.net/threads/rol...003-rare-brushed-blue-dial-circa-1969.117924/

So, show us your special 34mm, no date Rolex!

I’m really curious to discover other rare dials that I haven’t yet seen on these.
 
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You should reconsider your decision and buy that 1003 ; engine-turned bezels are lovely 😉
 
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I'm with you; I love the 34mm no-date models, ref 1002 included!

My own 34 no date is currently, however, an early 60s vintage Air King Super Precision. It has aged, IMHO, very well, and sometimes I do just find myself enjoying the way the silver sunburst dial and indices play with the light.



"The quality of a simple watch is known only to a few people. It is worn to satisfy yourself and your own preferences. That is a simple watch."
-
Yoshifusa Nakazawa
 
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I love the 34mm references, not just for the comfort on the wrist but also the variety on offer. But let's not say it too loudly, these are some of the last remaining models in the vintage Rolex world that have not climbed to the moon 🤦
 
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Blue second hands are the thing of my dreams. These are great pieces.

I know, this is amazing with the blue second hand and that dial!

A sampling of some of the more uncommon 34mm no dates I’ve owned over the years.

 
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Well, I’ve succumbed to the charms of another 1002.

This one from 1963, with a glossy black dial and a tropic crystal. 🥰



It’s on its way to me. I’ll post better photos when it arrives.

And I’d sworn off any new acquisitions. 😗

(If I’m trying to not buy, I shouldn’t spend so much time looking. :whipped:)
 
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Well, I’ve succumbed to the charms of another 1002.

This one from 1963, with a glossy black dial and a tropic crystal. 🥰



It’s on its way to me. I’ll post better photos when it arrives.

And I’d sworn off any new acquisitions. 😗

(If I’m trying to not buy, I shouldn’t spend so much time looking. :whipped:)
You should send this to @mydeafcat to wear for a week so he can finally see what all the rage is about.
 
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Well, I’ve succumbed to the charms of another 1002.

This one from 1963, with a glossy black dial and a tropic crystal. 🥰

It’s on its way to me. I’ll post better photos when it arrives.

And I’d sworn off any new acquisitions. 😗

(If I’m trying to not buy, I shouldn’t spend so much time looking. :whipped:)

Mine says hi. From 1964
 
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PM me for my address, @airansun. Don’t be surprised if I just happen to move in a few weeks. 😁
Just get over the size thing and buy the 5500 you want. If you shop smartly, and you hate it, you can turn it around and be out nothing.
 
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Just get over the size thing and buy the 5500 you want. If you shop smartly, and you hate it, you can turn it around and be out nothing.
Agree 100%.

(BTW - I meant that @airansun may find myself disappeared and himself short a watch if I like it.)
 
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Picked this up new in 1988, just a few months after my oldest was born.

Just before his 30th birthday we talked about whether or not he'd like to have it -- finally -- as a birthday gift. I'm 6'1" and this 34mm was always a bit diminutive, even back in the day. But I didn't care, still don't, and I wore the hell out of this watch for something like 7-8 years and have never not loved it; my first Rolex. But my oldest son is 6'5". Holding it, turning it over, laying it on his wrist, he asked me, "Do you think I should wear a lady's watch?"

Sigh... fine... you'll get it when I'm dead then.

 
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I'm with you; I love the 34mm no-date models, ref 1002 included!

My own 34 no date is currently, however, an early 60s vintage Air King Super Precision. It has aged, IMHO, very well, and sometimes I do just find myself enjoying the way the silver sunburst dial and indices play with the light.



"The quality of a simple watch is known only to a few people. It is worn to satisfy yourself and your own preferences. That is a simple watch."
-
Yoshifusa Nakazawa

I really like the indexes and looking out for one myself, but trying to figure out if any came with a 1570 hacking movement.
 
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I really like the indexes and looking out for one myself, but trying to figure out if any came with a 1570 hacking movement.

Super precision: 1530; early 1002: 1560, both of which are non-hacking.

1570 is supposed to be hacking after 1972, but I have a 1970 DJ and a 1967 1018 with 1570s that hack. Movement numbers are correct for the vintage of the watch.
 
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Super precision: 1530; early 1002: 1560, both of which are non-hacking.

1570 is supposed to be hacking after 1972, but I have a 1970 DJ and a 1967 1018 with 1570s that hack. Movement numbers are correct for the vintage of the watch.

Thanks @vibe my research results have similar conclusions... and also leading to Rolex having phased out these particular dials, with the nice indexes, for simpler ones 🙁 and I was hoping to acquire a variant like yours but also with hacking.

Here’s mine with the simpler batons indexes. 1003,1979 Engine Turned Bezel with 1570 hacking movement,

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