Datejust & Day-Date Rolex Oysterquartz

In the 1970s, the world of luxury watch making changed due to the quartz-crisis. The Japanese watchmakers supplied the world with large quantities of quartz movements, so Rolex decided to push forward with the Rolex Oysterquartz: an integrated bracelet, a different movement but still recognizable as a Rolex. 

The angular case differs from the Datejust and Day-Date and was available in three versions: a solid gold piece, stainless-steel with a white gold bezel or the two-tone piece with yellow gold and stainless-steel. The popularity mainly grew in the Asian market, but not in the US or Europe. Nowadays there are more and more people looking for a well-maintained Rolex Oysterquartz.

When it comes to the more known Datejust models from that era or the Day-Date, the prices of these pieces vary between €4.000 and €20.000, depending on the state of the watch and the materials used. The Oysterquartz always was a bit more affordable, now starting at roughly €3.750 for the Oysterquartz Datejust in steel and white gold. 

The two-tone pieces can be found for roughly €4.500. The Rolex Day-Date Oysterquartz is a bit more expensive due to the usage of solid gold: expect to pay around €12.000 for a well-maintained piece. 

When it comes to the Oysterquartz collection, there is one strange thing to be found, which is pretty unique: the case, bracelet and design from the Oysterquartz but with an automatic movement. 

These watches bear reference 1503 or 1530 and can be found with the automatic caliber from Rolex, but still got the design from the Oysterquartz. Expect to pay at least €18.000 for one of these models, since they’re highly sought-after.