Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Date’ 18K, 1978 – Original Dial

£4,950

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Inspected, Serviced & Guaranteed

Size Large 35mm, excluding the Rolex Oyster Crown

A Beautiful Well Cared for and Lightly Used Example

Superb Original Unrestored Silver-White Starburst Dial

Rolex Swiss 18ct Hallmarked Immaculate Yellow Gold Case

Chronometer Grade Cal. 1570, 26 Jewels Automatic Movement

Immaculate 18ct Yellow Gold Case With Sought After Plain Bezel

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

High Quality Crocodile Strap & Rolex Gold Plated Buckle

Rolex Presentation Boxes Included, As Shown

VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty*

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

Free UK Next Day Delivery!

Free Worldwide FedEx!

Sold 4th June '18
VGW Reference: R500
Price £4,950

£4,950

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Highly Recommend
The service from Vintage Gold Watches was as per usual Fantastic, the watch arrived when expected and was extremely well packaged as usual. The watch was even nicer than the photos and went straight onto my wrist. Another fantastic acquisition for my growing collection. VGW is the first and so f
Andrew S via Feefo 29/1/2024
Verified Buyer
I have no hesitation in recommending.
From start to finish the service I have received has been excellent. Kirsty has kept me informed all the way and the level of the finished repair to a very old and worn vintage watch was exemplary.
Bryn H via Google Review 23/2/2024
Verified Buyer
Even better in real life
My watch has just arrived and it looks even better in real life! Just wanted to say a massive thank you to John and everyone there for the help you gave me in securing my dream watch. Cannot recommend your company highly enough. Thank you so much. Mike
Mike G via email 29/11/2023
Verified Buyer
New Vacheron
The watch arrived safely together with all its paperwork and looks lovely both on and off the wrist. It is very beautiful and understated. So a definite “yes” from all of us. Happy Christmas to you all Very best wishes Stephen
Stephen R via Email 6/12/2023
Verified Buyer
ABOUT THIS WATCH

Description

Here we have a superb example of a gentleman’s 18ct vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Date’ dress watch from 1978. The watch has a Silver-White starburst dial which is original and unrestored and in tip-top condition. The 35mm, 18ct yellow gold case has the sought after plain bezel and the whole case is in immaculate condition. This is Rolex model reference 1500, with the Rolex Cal. 1570, 26 Jewel, Certified Superlative Chronometer Grade (highly accurate and highly reliable) automatic movement, which has just received a full overhaul and service.

This watch will make a wonderful 40th birthday present or 40th anniversary watch as this watch was manufactured in 1978 making it 40 years old this year. For more details, please see ‘The Case’ below.

The Dial

The stunning Silver-White starburst dial is the classic Rolex Oyster Perpetual dial with baton hour indices and ‘stick’ hands. The dial carries the perennial Rolex Coronet at 12 and a date function with the ‘Cyclops’ bubble. It is signed ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date’ and ‘Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified’.

Usually, we restore the dials of all our watches as part of the overall watch restoration, but this dial is original and unrestored and it is in tip-top condition – far too good to restore.

The Movement

The watch carries its original very high grade ‘Superlative Chronometer’ Calibre 1570, 26 jewel automatic movement which is in sparkling clean condition. The movement has been completely overhauled and serviced which involves fully dismantling, ultrasonic cleaning, inspection under high magnification and replacement of parts, only with new original Rolex parts where required. Then careful reassembly and oiling ready for testing and calibration. The watch is now running perfectly, having been calibrated and timed within 0.5 sec0nds per day. Please note this is truly outstanding for any watch of this age and this has been confirmed by our electronic time-grapher. It is therefore ready for many more years of faithful service.

The movement is all correctly signed ‘MONTRES ROLEX SA GENEVA’, ‘SWISS’, and ‘TWENTY SIX JEWELS’ with the Calibre number 1570. It also carries the reference number DS95786. These movements are very strong, very accurate and very reliable! This particular movement is in superb A1 condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4  years, we would fully expect this watch to run happily for many years to come. We are therefore pleased to offer a 12 months warranty on this watch movement*.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures 35mm in diameter, not including the original Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. The case carries the sought after plain bezel as opposed to the usual fluted bezel and the bezel case and case-back are all in superb condition with no marks or scratches visible to the naked eye as the watch has seen only very light use and has been very well cared for. Following close inspection, it has simply required some gentle hand-polishing to bring the watch to almost new condition once more. The outside of the case back, importantly, has never been engraved and equally importantly, it is of its original thickness.

Inside the case-back, the markings are all correct for a Rolex, Geneva, Swiss made case and it is signed MONTRES ROLEX S.A, GENEVA SWITZERLAND, R.W.C. LTD with the correct Swiss hallmarks for 18ct gold, along with the model number 1500. The model number can also be clearly found on the outside of the case between the lugs at 12 o’clock and the case serial number 5,657,043 is found on the outside of the case between the lugs at 6 o’clock. This dates the watch to 1978.

The case has the screw-down Rolex Oyster crown and screw-down case-back, each complete with new rubber seals, however although the watch was specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed.

As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A very high quality Brown Crocodile strap has been fitted, along with a matching gold plated Rolex buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 19mm straps if you wish here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1978. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months Warranty*.  A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.

The matching Rolex Oyster inner and outer presentation boxes as shown in the photographs are included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a truly first class example of a classic late 70’s vintage 18ct Rolex Oyster Perpetual ‘Date’. This watch is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece and even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher. It is a highly collectable vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which is ready to wear, use, treasure and enjoy. It will provide excellent reliability and a sound financial investment, as long-lasting as the watch itself!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

If you have any questions please call on our Landline 0207 727 7095 or Mobile 07515 949250 or if calling from overseas, on Landline +44 207 727 7095 or Mobile +44 7515 949250

Please note we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss.

We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.

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