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170  of these sold for an average price of: 3,128.673,128.67170 of these sold for an average price of: 3,128.67
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Rolex - 17000 - Datejust - Oysterquartz - Mens
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Name17000
FamilyDatejust
SubtypeOysterquartz
GenderMens
MovementRolex 5035 (Details)
Years in Production1978 - 1989
Case Diameter (mm)36
MechanismQuartz
ChronometerYes
HackingYes
Date FunctionYes
QuicksetYes
Power Reserve (Hours)-1
Frequency (bph)32, 768
Jewel Count11
Second HandSweep
Case MaterialStainless Steel
Bezel MaterialStainless Steel
Hour MarksIndex
Date Position3 O'Clock
Crown Position3 O'Clock
Crystal MaterialSapphire
Band TypeBracelet
Band MaterialStainless Steel
Band ReplaceableYes


Notes: The Oysterquartz Datejust reference 17000 carries one of Rolex's first quartz movements created completely in-house, the calibre 5035. This watch was only produced in stainless steel and comes with a matching 3-link stainless steel bracelet. The hour marks are always indices (index), but the dial face was available in white, silver or black.
Mechanism:
In 1977, the Cal. 5035 Oysterquartz emerged, an 11-jewel, 32khz caliber designed solely to sit inside the newly created quartz version of the Datejust. Rolex worked for five painstaking years to craft an exceptional quality quartz movement which could exceed the Japanese movements in accuracy and durability. As you would expect, while it was clear Rolex was only getting involved with this new technology under sufferance, what they came up with became the standard for others to follow.

Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, the Cal. 5035 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 5035 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.
Family Notes: The Datejust emerged in 1945, introducing the watch world to the innovative automatically changing date window. This feature made watch history and has since made the Datejust one of Rolex's most successful models. The ladies model that was introduced a few decades later has enjoyed a large amount of success as well, thanks to its functional yet luxurious design. The Rolex Datejust is the modern archetype of the classic watch, thanks to aesthetics and functions that transcend changes in fashion. Aesthetically, the Datejust has spanned eras, while retaining the enduring codes that make it, notably in its traditional versions, one of the most recognised and recognisable of watches.

Originally named the Jubilee Datejust, Rolex Datejust history began in 1945 when Rolex released the model for the company's 40th Anniversary. It was a direct descendant of the Bubbleback and included a date function, which was placed at the 3 o’clock position on the face. The Datejust had a coin-edge bezel, which later became the flutted bezel. It was the first watch to show the date automatically and also the first to change the displayed date at exactly midnight. The Datejust was innovative, unique, and different than any other watch offered at that time.

The history of Rolex Datejust begins with the first Datejust, the Jubilee Datejust Model 4467, which was only available in 18k gold and had a small bubbleback winder with a deeply domed back. In the 1950's, the Oysterdate joined the Datejust family, coming in two sizes. Although the Datejust originally consisted of three case parts, it was quickly updated to just two. Another major update was the addition of the Cyclops lens in 1954. Today this lens is standard to Rolex watches and even part of the brand’s signature. Before 1954, however, no one had used a magnifying bubble on the lens right above the date. Then, in 1957, a new, lighter, slimmer movement, the caliber 1065, allowed for a flattened case back in place of the old domed one. That same year, the Datejust became available in Steelium (stainless steel) in addition to the original gold. Other changes over the years included a flat dial (rather than curved) and the Rapid Date Change (aka quickset) feature.

The fact that Rolex Datejusts are still purchased and worn today is a testament to their enduring respectability and timelessness. To understand the Rolex Datejust history, pictures can be worth a thousand words. Seeing pictures of multiple presidents and other powerful people wearing the Rolex Datejust shows the importance and significance of this watch.
Type: The Oysterquartz versions of the Datejust and Day-Date models use quartz movements instead of automatic movements. When launched in 1977, the Datejust Oysterquartz received a calibre 5035 movement whereas the Day-Date Oysterquartz received the 5055. Being quartz mechanisms that were painstakingly developed by Rolex in the 1970s, these watches are considerably more accurate than their automatic counterparts. They, do, however lack the prestige of a Swiss-crafted mechanical movement and were ultimately phased out by Rolex, which currently (2018) has no quartz-driven movements in its product line.
Item created by: gdm on 2018-10-23 09:42:25. Last edited by gdm on 2018-10-23 09:51:46

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