Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1977 Reference No: 1530 Movement No: D099816 Case No: 5'171'021 Model Name: Oyster Perpetual Date Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex bracelet, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee, hang tag and presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
While the Oysterquartz is incredibly well-known and an icon within Rolex's history, less is known about the Rolex reference 1530, its precursor that houses an automatic movement. Launched in 1975, it is said that approximately 1500 examples were made before Rolex switched out the automatic movement in favor of a quartz counterpart. Reference 1530 was designed by none other than Gérald Genta - displays an angular case and integrated bracelet, and absolutely exudes the Genta flair that we see in his other models, such as the Nautilus and Royal Oak.
Preserved in excellent condition, the present watch is even replete with its guarantee and original hang tag, providing another delightful detail.
Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.
