Notes: Quartz movement, Quickset date, scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, waterproof screw-down crown, day and date wheels
Case: 18k yellow gold w/ fluted bezel
Dial: Champagne w/ diamond (8 round, 2 baguette) hour markers
Bracelet: 18k yellow gold Integral w/ hidden Crownclasp
The Rolex OysterQuartz watch is similar to other Day-Date watches, the dial is topped with an automatically changing date display at the 3-hour marker and the day spelled out in full at the 12-hour marker. Brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds adorn the hour markers, and central hands sweep around the dial. The case and bracelet are crafted from yellow gold, which is a common finish on most Day-Date watches. What sets this particular ref. 19018 apart from other Day-Date watches is the use of a Quartz movement, an integral bracelet, and an angular case.
The Rolex OysterQuartz watch is similar to other Day-Date watches, the dial is topped with an automatically changing date display at the 3-hour marker and the day spelled out in full at the 12-hour marker. Brilliant-cut and baguette diamonds adorn the hour markers, and central hands sweep around the dial. The case and bracelet are crafted from yellow gold, which is a common finish on most Day-Date watches. What sets this particular ref. 19018 apart from other Day-Date watches is the use of a Quartz movement, an integral bracelet, and an angular case.
Mechanism: In 1977, the Cal. 5055 was launched to power the Day-Date models. As you would expect, while it was clear Rolex was only getting involved with this new technology under duress, what they came up with became the standard for others to follow.
Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, the Cal. 5055 was constructed as much as possible along the same lines as the mechanical movements Rolex had been dominating the industry with for decades. The bridge, gear train and pallet assembly would be recognizable to anyone with a passing familiarity of the inner workings of a Submariner or Explorer. In fact, the entire drive mechanism of the 5055 is based very much on a traditional escapement and, with the exception of the pulse motor and electronics, the movement is almost identical to the mechanical Cal. 3035 launched the same year.
The drive mechanism for the 5055 is very similar to the design of a traditional mechanical watch escapement. The pulse motor drives a pallet fork which in turn moves a pallet wheel. This wheel drives the second hand at a 1:1 ratio with one tick per second. The hour and minute hands are driven off this pallet wheel. The loud "tick" you hear every second are the pallets engaging the pallet wheel.
Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, the Cal. 5055 was constructed as much as possible along the same lines as the mechanical movements Rolex had been dominating the industry with for decades. The bridge, gear train and pallet assembly would be recognizable to anyone with a passing familiarity of the inner workings of a Submariner or Explorer. In fact, the entire drive mechanism of the 5055 is based very much on a traditional escapement and, with the exception of the pulse motor and electronics, the movement is almost identical to the mechanical Cal. 3035 launched the same year.
The drive mechanism for the 5055 is very similar to the design of a traditional mechanical watch escapement. The pulse motor drives a pallet fork which in turn moves a pallet wheel. This wheel drives the second hand at a 1:1 ratio with one tick per second. The hour and minute hands are driven off this pallet wheel. The loud "tick" you hear every second are the pallets engaging the pallet wheel.
Item created by: gdm on 2018-09-30 21:37:05. Last edited by gdm on 2019-06-12 20:20:56
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