Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1966 Reference No: 1002 Movement No: 85’832 Case No: 1’484’208 Model Name: Oyster Perpetual Material: 14K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex pin buckle Dimensions: 34mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee, product literature and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The present Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1002 is a very affordable vintage timepiece hailing from the exciting era of the 1960s. Encased in the firm’s signature waterproof Oyster case in 34mm diameter, the interesting factor of this present timepiece is that it is encased in 14K yellow gold made for the American market. Another interesting element is that once turned over, the caseback is engraved commemorating Mr. Ed Reynolds as a loyal employee of 25 years working for the Coca Cola Bottling Company of California, signifying the present wristwatch as a gift from Coca Cola to Mr. Reynolds. Preserved in attractive overall condition and accompanied with its original guarantee and fitted presentation box, this is certainly a nice timepiece with a cool provenance to acquire.
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.
