Holy hell would I love to keep this one - it’s a work of art. FULL STOP. (Well okay, not full stop because I need to wax poetically about this one and show you a whole lot o' sweet pics!) I am offering up this 1971 Rolex Oyster Date with the sweetest of dials, the rare blue mosaic or Shantung dial that was made in limited production for the Japanese market for only a few years. Reference is 1500, which measures 34.5 MM. I’ve had a few of the 1500 references and they wear large, I’d say very similar to a 36mm datejust. The smooth bezel is awesome too. Look at this thing in the light, they wove silk through the dial and it’s nothing short of incredible! Has a well done engraving on the back, previous owner’s initials. Could be removed, but I prefer to keep all original. Especially for something like that that you don’t see when wearing and most importantly, speaks to its history! This was found with an old school collector who had the Rolex Jubilee complete with the original box. The bracelet has plenty of stretch, as to be expected with a vintage jubilee, but still very wearable, and the clasp closes securely. I am also throwing in this very cool Collected Man blue leather strap, which retails for $150. Because look at this combo! The watch has a brand new crystal installed, to show off that dial! The case and the bracelet all have age related wear throughout, but present well. As you can see in the macro shots, some of the lume plots have patina around them, not noticeable when wearing, as do the hands, which can be seen as well. Serial number (partially obscured, but complete in real life!) and model number pics: Movement pics will be added ASAP. Setting and keeping time well, non hacking, date changes right over (look at those sweet open sixes!) Keeps great time while I've been wearing it, but no service history that I know of so as always with vintage, a fresh service is recommended for regular wear. *EDIT: movement pic and inside case back added below. As suspected, this has been sitting unserviced for a long time. Although it’s currently running well, I want whoever gets this to be happy and wear this beauty daily like it deserves to be worn, so I am going to have my watchmaker do a full service on it, that will be included in the current price. These don’t come up often, and I don’t think I’ve ever seen one this complete! Priced at $4700, which will include fully insured shipping anywhere in the US. Payment via PayPal friends and family, Venmo, Zelle, or Wise. No returns unless misrepresented and it absolutely will not be, I have plenty of feedback here and elsewhere to prove that. I am a collector first and foremost, so I treat buyers the way I want to be treated when I’m the buyer! Thanks for looking, excited to get this work of art onto a new wrist!
2.7mil might be a little earlier than 71. Be interesting to see what the case back has stamped on it. Beautiful and GLWS Regards
Thanks! Yeah, with Rolex there are always possibilities, as they’ve been so secretive with their recordkeeping. The two main online resources both put 2.7 at 1971 but will be confirming with movement and inside case back pics later today!
Just checked my Rolex report issue 4 out of curiosity and because I once owned a GMT from q2 1971 serial 3244 and still own a Red sub with punch papers 2.533 sold in 1971 back is iv/69.
Updated with movement and inside case back pics. As mentioned above now, it definitely hasn’t been serviced in a while, I will have my watchmaker do a full service and will include that at no extra cost. Also confirming it is from 1971!
Lots of love for this beaut but no firm deal yet, so up she goes. Picking it up from my watchmaker today, fully serviced with paperwork!
Had questions about the cyclops, if it was centered. My watchmaker just finished the service, sent a pic. Centered and ready to wear!