Released during the exciting and perhaps one of the most daunting periods of watchmaking, the 1970s witnessed the heights of the quartz crisis. In the late 1960s, a consortium of Swiss watchmakers including Rolex, Patek Philippe and Omega came together with an aim to produce the world’s most accurate quartz movement, known as the Beta 21. By the end of the 1960s, it is estimated that over 6,000 units of the movements were produced and where 1,000 numbered units were fitted onto the Rolex Beta 21 ref. 5100.

In 1977, Rolex finally unveiled the Oysterquartz utilizing their own in-house quartz movement developed over the course of five years after the release of the Beta 21. Made in two versions, Datejust and Day-Date, both models were available with varying case metals and dial configurations.

The present example Oysterquartz Day-Date ref. 19018 from circa 1987 is certainly a rare example to come across. Featuring a blue jubilee dial with applied gold Arabic hour markers, the appeal is unique and tasteful.