Considering an Oysterquartz

[77T]

Originally Posted by tictic

Where is the battery?
Would the movement need to be partially disassembled to get to the battery?

I believe in a niche beneath the coronet in that picture.

No movement components need to be disassembled.

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[arguscanis]

I love my 17013. The two tone is brushed and oh so subtle.Its a nice alternative both in style and size to my 40 mm sport models.
Rolex Dallas serviced it shortly after i purchased and replaced the stepper motor and circuit board with NOS.
Right now its most likely worth what i have into it.
Definitely look for a crisply angled case as well as bezel.

[Andad]

Originally Posted by JoseR

Real watches have mechanical movements. JMO.

Umm, it is a mechanical movement Joe.

Google is your friend.

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by Andad

Umm, it is a mechanical movement Joe.

Google is your friend.

It's Jose bud, not Joe. I see you're from Australia so maybe you don't understand that. I guess Google doesn't like you my friend.

Mechanical watch movements are powered by gears and springs. They're autonomous little machines without the need for electric power sources, whereas quartz watches are powered by batteries that vibrate little crystals

Quartz watches are battery powered, while mechanical watches are powered by gears and springs. Mechanical watches can be automatic or manual wind. Automatic watches have a rotor that winds a mainspring when the wearer moves their wrist, while manual wind watches need to be wound regularly by turning the crown.

[J_L]

If you look up the movement it’s actually more of a hybrid, part mechanical part quartz.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by padi56

Pre Rolex own quartz movement there was about 16 Swiss companies involved in the development of the first Beta 21 quartz movement.And Bulova Accutron paid a high part in development of the step motor,the battery life then was around 12 months.And at this time Rolex could not alter the design of the beta 21 movement,to fit there Oyster case,so only stated the 5100 was water resist and not waterproof this was the first Rolex with sapphire crystal.Later they started around 1972 to develop there own movement,and the design was very still close to the beta movement,but now designed to fit a oyster type case.





The Thermo-compensated Quartz watches made by Rolex:

Caliber: Rolex 5035 (and 5055 for the Day-Date model)
Technology: single 32 kHz crystal using the forced constant frequency (TCVCXO) method
Annual accuracy: around ±60 seconds (Rolex has never stated an official accuracy specification.)
Rate adjustable?: yes, via trimmer condenser (user adjustable)
Watches that use this movement:

Rolex Oyster-quartz (1977 to 2001)

Note 1: We are unaware of any other watch using TCVCXO technology.
Note 2: While discontinued, we have heard that Rolex plans to introduce a new quartz movement with update technology and perpetual calendar. More can
Ref http://www.oysterquartz.net/

Selected Grand Seiko quartz model now these were very accurate quartz model but very expensive then.


Note 1: Seiko re-issued a limited edition of the "Astron" in 2000 that used a special version of the 9F movement that was rated to ± 2 seconds per year after adjustment.
Now certainly by the Japanese movement accuracy was much better than the Rolex movement
Note 2: The 9F movement is reportedly designed to run fifty years before it needs servicing.
Note 3: Other Grand Seiko quartz models use the 8J movement. Even less is know about this movement.
Source of information: Japanese retail sites

And just a little bit more its possible that the new Oysterquartz could be reborn 2009 Basil Show.


The Next Oysterquartz?

In 2004, an Oysterquartz watch was offered at auction by Antiquorum that looked like an ordinary 17014 stainless model with the white gold bezel. Upon closer examination, however, it was clear this watch was something unique and many wondered if it was a genuine Rolex. There was no reference number on the back of the watch where one would expect to see it engraved on a typical Oysterquartz. And the watch contained a heretofore unheard of 23 jewel quartz movement marked "5335" with a date function that employed a perpetual calendar mechanism that could be completely adjusted using the crown.

This mystery watch was never sold because it was pulled when Rolex told Antiquorum officials that it had been stolen from them. A civil lawsuit ensued in Switzerland between the owner of the watch and Rolex. Rolex lost this suit largely due to the testimony of former and current Rolex employees who testified that it was common practise for Rolex to dispose of prototype watches by giving them to employees. Also, the fact that Rolex had never reported the watch to the police as stolen didn't help their case. The publicity surrounding the trial served to confirm the authenticity and provenance of this watch and ensure its value as a collector's piece when it is eventually offered for sale again.

Prototype Oysterquartz Day-Date Perpetual Calendar

Thanks to a former Rolex insider (who no longer works for Rolex), I am able to confirm not only the existence of the Oysterquartz Perpetual Calendar, but give some details about this watch, which is without doubt the rarest Oysterquartz ever produced by Rolex.

Approximately eleven prototype Oysterquartz Perpetual Calendar watches were produced.

They were produced in Datejust and Day-Date versions.
All prototypes were encased in 17014 SS cases with white gold bezels.

No external reference numbers were engraved on the cases.

The movement used in the Datejust model was designated the 5335 and had 23 jewels.

The movement used in the Day-Date model was designated the 5355 and had 23 jewels.

The movement is silent, with no audible tic (a marked difference from the original Oysterquartz).

The perpetual calendar function of this watch was patented by Rolex: Swiss Patent number CH 672 222 G A3.

The 5335 movement used in the Oysterquartz Perpetual Calendar, the lack of a battery compartment,and a Rolex coronet on the gold battery contact.



Now don't forget there are quite a lot of mechanical parts in a quartz analogue watch.The same drive train as the cal 3135 less the balance and escapement and main spring.Its main spring is the battery and escapement the quartz crystal. And the quartz movement is more expensive than its mechanical brother.Oysterquartz uses a SR344 battery and it's not rocket science to change it yourself if you have the correct caseback tool.You can buy a pack of 5xSR344 batteries for around £8-£10 it's not like if its some special Rolex certified battery its just a normal run of the mill battery.But trouble today once you mention Rolex the price always escalates 10 fold, it's no different to change a battery in a Rolex as to changing one in say a Seiko.

Great post Peter, thank you for this detail

[JoseR]

Originally Posted by J_L

If you look up the movement it’s actually more of a hybrid, part mechanical part quartz.

IMO, if you don't have to wind it to run, it's not mechanical.