You have never heard of this cheap rolex … and that's exactly why it is an intelligent investment

• The Rolex Oysterquartz is one of the rarest models of the brand, with less than 25,000 people never made.
• It has a COSC certified quartz movement which was more precise than any mechanical rolex at the time.
• With its distinctive conception of the 1970s and its status under the radar, it becomes an intelligent investment in the secondary market.

If someone told you that there is a rolex you have never heard of, fueled by a quartz movement, and selling for less than one date, you would probably assume that it is wrong. And for reason. Rolex is one of the pre -eminent luxury watch brands in the world – no doubt, the most recognized watch brand today – producing millions of units in the north of a year to dominate the market share with unique and sought -after parts.

But for one of the most important brands in the world, budding collectors are always surprised to learn that Rolex produced pieces powered by quartz for almost a quarter of a century. It's called the Rolex Oysterquartz. It's real. He checks like a charm. And it could be one of Rolex's most intelligent purchases on today's petulant market.

When did Rolex have a quartz watches?

In the 1970s, the so-called quartz crisis struck Switzerland as a ton of Japanese bricks cut with precision. Seiko had just dropped the astron, the first quartz watch, and suddenly everyone wanted technology on tradition. The Doomsday clock had started for the Swiss luxury market, with brands like Omega, IWC, even Patek Philippe rushed to adapt to the changing tide.

And yes, even Rolex then entered the act with a line of watches developed entirely internally to compete with the precision wave powered by battery.

Launched in 1977 after five years of meticulous development, the Rolex Oysterquartz was not a inexpensive dispute effort. The movements inside the Oysterquartz, the 5035 and 5055 calibers, were certified COSC and checked 32 kHz of blisters, four times faster than the previous quartz-21 standard.

They were some of the most precise Rolex watches ever made. And yet, horrible snobs have never given them a good look. For what? Due to what was running under the figurative hood.

The best rolex you have never heard of

Between 1977 and the early 2000s, when Rolex stretched this model in grazing, Swiss luxury Prodigy only did 25,000 Oysterquartz models did around 25,000 models. It is nothing in terms of Rolex. A drop in the crown bucket compared to large -scale production at which we are known today.

Thus, while these Oysterquartz models cannot claim to be the most impressive in today's Horolofgical Space, they are certainly rarer than certain limited edition daytonas. Relatively speaking. And this rarity is exactly the reason why collectors are starting to return to this stock once it is simple.

You have the date variants before the reference 17000 in steel, the 17013 with a yellow gold telescope, or the 17014 with a white gold telescope, all sharing this distinctive angular case and the integrated bracelet which shouts the luxury of the 1970s. This reminds me of the first Gerald Genta models during this period, except without the Royal Oak price.

Then, of course, because it is always Rolex of which we are talking about, heavy strikers have hit the market: the Oysterquartz models of the day in yellow or white gold, some dripping in diamonds, some with pyramid-shaped glasses and a reference (the 19068) which resembles a wicked Bond Velvery watch.

Most models are still negotiated for much less than $ 10,000 AUD on the secondary market. Compare this to what you would pay for a standard mechanical date or a date of day and suddenly the “cheap” sentence Rolex is starting to make a lot of sense.

Quartz, Rolex … and the quiet return

Quartz has recovered its pace. From the Quartz Crusade continues from Grand Seiko to the solar energy tanks in Cartier, collectors warm up on convenience, sustainability and precision that quartz offers, without vintage headaches.

So why didn't more people take Hysterquartz? Easy. Rolex does not like to talk about his forgotten outings. There is no modern equivalent. No reissue, striking the shelves in watches and wonders this year. No heads in the current range. It is as if Rolex quietly buried this chapter of their history.

Which makes it all the more fascinating. The Rolex Oysterquartz is a collection of stealth; An authentic Rolex watch without the bells and typical whistles, but with a unique rebellious sequence. He checks instead of the sweeping; has a bold conception of the 1970s which made an appropriate return in 2025; And for the most part, go completely unnoticed among the sea of ​​reissues available today.

And here is the botter: while everyone continues the same dozen Rolex models, the Oysterquartz is quietly sitting in the area. Its rarity, its history and its portability finally attract the attention of people who know what they are doing.

So yes, there is a cheap rolex. Yes, it works on Quartz. But no, you didn't even hear about it; This is exactly why it could be the smartest investment you can do right now.