Story of an Icon: Rolex Oysterquartz

Today, I would like to discuss the history of quite possibly the most rarely discussed Rolex type: The Rolex Oysterquartz. This watch was the product of Swiss innovation in response to Japanese quartz and electrical technology through the middle of the 20th century and created one of the most impressive and long-lasting Rolex models ever created.
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[@swabby429]

The styling of the 17000 in stainless is absolutely stunning. I cannot get over it.

[@masonalexander7056]

I have an oysterquartz. It is a wonderful watch. It is accurate, durable, and completely reliable. One can own the rarest Rolex that was in regular production for a modest price. What’s not to love?

[@roycepham6340]

could you please tell me if there is anything wrong with the module or electrical problem while you own it? thank you, im interesting in purchase one soon!

[@adammork7171]

Royce Pham ive owned a 17000 for 5 years, with zero problems. Replaced the battery twice and thats all its needed. Its from 1984, be sure to get a good example because they can be expensive to fix if they are damaged.

[@27gino27]

Royce Pham never had an issue with mine. Have you bought one yet?

[@leomedina5614]

You still own yours!?

[@damianpreston3389]

You probably dont care but if you are bored like me atm you can watch pretty much all of the new movies and series on InstaFlixxer. Been streaming with my gf during the lockdown :)

[@dangerspouse4741]

That was one of the more fascinating watch videos I've seen in a long time. Well done.

[@mikemaccana]

Just wanted to say thanks for the most comprehensive Oysterquartz video on KZbin. I have no issues with quartz, love owning something rare, and the blue faced 17014 from the year I was born will hopefully soon be on my wrist.

[@WatchGeek]

Great video as usual, I am a fan of Oysterquartz and find it very attractive, both the movement and the watches themselves

[@philiplefebvre1670]

Bought mine on the Bahnhofstrasse in 1980. At the time it was one of the few if not the only Rolex offered with a safire glass crystal the rest were perspex (plastic). Mine has the white gold bezel and looks like a moder Rolex should after all these years. It's mellowed over the years as it used to tick so loud that it could heard across a large room. It still keeps close to perfect time. Yes I've had it serviced....once.

[@terryfranks7521]

Yes another great video I really like the quartz Rolex Armand and as always your spot on with your knowledge with fine time pieces and always can’t wait to watch the next chapter of your vast knowledge of great watches kind regards Terry

[@pwsod]

Thank you again for yet another very extensive historical story about a type of watch I know so very little.

[@PhillyHank]

⭐️⭐️⭐️ Great overview of quartz history! 👍🏾

[@mrvivalatang]

I think the are an amazing timepiece! I personally own a 17000 and it’s by far my favourite watch in the collection. It wears like a 38-39mm round watch and is so unique. I have never ever seen another person wearing one in the wild and with Rolex being so popular I like the fact I have something that not many others have. The ‘tick’ sound it makes is so solid as well. You definitely know you are wearing it!

[@roycepham6340]

could u pls tell me how often the watch need service and replace battery and there is anything wrong with the module or electrical problem with it in long run , thank you,

[@enLARGE.darkroom]

Battery needs changing every 30 months, you can do it yourself, battery easily available from hardware store for a few dollars

[@josealfonsosuarez1543]

@@roycepham6340 Esto relojes híbridos en teoría no necesitan nunca servicio, aunque es conveniente un engrase cada 30, 40 o 50 años, aunque se puede prescindir de él si el reloj no tiene una desviación de mas de un segundo AL MES. Y la revisión cuesta menos de la mitad de un Rolex mecánico, pues al ser un híbrido la cantidad de grasa especial de Rolex que lleva es menos de la cuarta parte de cualquier reloj mecánico.

[@fpoynton1604]

Excellent review of important part of horologic history resulting in some very tough robust watches. Nice job Armand.

[@cashau2965]

Nice job Armand! very informative...this is becoming a go-to channel for watch education...

[@readrepairs]

Great video. Seems well researched and nicely paced narration. Thanks.

[@joa2944]

Thank you very much for an educational historical review on the Oyster Quartz, I learned so much form the informative review and would like to add the 17000 to my collection. The review was very well put together and executed. Great channel and thanks again for sharing your knowledge on theses timepieces, very much appreciated

[@mr2spock]

I love the Rolex Oysterquartz. It is far away from any other quartz Watch. The movement (traditional mechanical part combined with a quartz drive) is just brilliant. I think the Oysterquartz are probably the most underestimated Rolex models. I'm sure the price will go in one direction only.

[@marcmckenna9187]

My 19018 gains~1+ seconds/month, a lot of rolex owners turn their noses up at the oysterquartz, its their loss. They will appreciate.

[@marcmckenna9187]

The best quartz watch made, and it has not been bettered. I have 2 2-tone 17013, 19018. I also have an omega megaquartz (2.4 mHz). I never wear my 18238, it is a great watch. If i take it off and let it sit for 72 hours it has to be wound and the day /date needs to be reset.

[@123vfp]

Armand - As always ... an intelligent and informative video. Thanks.

[@KurdtKoebane]

How and when did the Swiss watch industry overtake the German and the French ? It would be a nice topic for a next video

[@circumnavigator]

@@roadwary you are correct. The Patek museum in Geneva delves into this topic extensively. Geneva was the city of Calvin and protestant refugees who had been prominent in watchmaking in Paris rushed there after the Edict of Fontainebleau.

[@ccw1961]

Excellent Vlog! fabulous watches

[@henrysiegertsz8204]

Armand we need to get your subs up, because, damn, you make great videos! Fantastic knowledge and great presentation. All please share on Social media. Love of watches is love of the most practical art form of our daily lives!

[@snowman4785]

wow...very in deep information for Oysterquartz. I have Rolex 5100 Texan and Rolex day date oyster quartz. The more I learn about Rolex Oysterquartz, The more I want to collect them. Thank you...

[@yeahhayhay]

Great video, very well researched. The prices have soared since this was published though. A decent 17000 ist more like 4.5 Grand Euros now. One detail I'm unsure of: Are you sure the OQ took over the case design of the 1530/1630? I'm pretty certain that the case was always designed fot the OQ, but production took so long they already initiated a trial run with existing mechanical movements (hence the steep outer ring on the 1530/1630).

[@ameeral-shammaa9012]

The picture you showed for the 1630 actually belongs to the datejust oysterquartz 17013. I mean the watch head is the correct 1630 reference but the bracelet belongs to the 17013.

[@josealfonsosuarez1543]

Tengo 17014 y 19018 no solo porque es el Rolex mas preciso jamas construido, superior incluso al "Texano" Beta21, sino que como es un hibrido es como si llevase en la muñeca un reloj de cuarzo y otro mecanico. Con 10 segundos al año de desviacion le vengo ajustando al segundo exacto cada 4 o 5 años.

[@BlakeSuperior_Beats]

On the surface, I think it's an excellent looking watch. Based on what I learned from your video, it's also an incredible piece of technology for the time it was created. That being said, I would love to add a 17000 to my collection, but have been finding it difficult to obtain one in great condition with box and papers from a reputable seller. This alone tells me that they will only become more sought after and make a very nice collector's item.

[@mickeyx6746]

Hi Armand! I had a thought that I would enjoy hearing a history of the ETA movement noting the movements that modeled themselves on the ETA, etc? Not sure if there is enough substance there. But so many other brands use them &c.... just an idea. Thank you.

[@MERKAMGCLK]

I love high homology Quartz actions. I own a Quartz Grand Seiko. Will be adding an oyster Quartz to my collection

[@Trebor-hc7ri]

I've got one and I love it.

[@clyde2801]

The 1630 you show has an oyster quartz bracelet, the true 1630 has 3 gold links in the center rather than two.

[@roberto_vial]

es un gran reloj,muy preciso yo tengo uno que compre en el año 1981 y estoy encantado con el,saludos.

[@ihabkahnung]

It's all your fault. Now, after ordering the Max Bill Auto from my local dealer last month, i had to get the Nomos De Stijl too. Was allowed to choose from 4 numbers that were left. Now sit back and have a good laugh. All the bestest.

[@oliverkuno8679]

It certainly has its place in horology

[@shannonmuendesi9305]

I have a two tone 17013 white dial with black Roman numerals and black minute and hour hands, it’s a beautiful piece, can’t take my eyes off it. Since they made only 25k pieces of these, I guess down the line they are going to be worth a fortune.

[@edheliosz]

Just letting you know that the 1630 has a 3 gold links rather than the 2 associated with the two-tone oysterquartz.

[@siglavikingkearns8108]

I bought one of these in 1984 ($2800 CAD} because I didn't know any better. It was stolen in 1996 and I occasionally wonder what it would be worth now. Btw, I still have a 33 year old Submariner which I'm very happy with.

[@alerojas2952]

Hamilton worked with the Ricoh company. Ricoh developed most of the electrical movements.

[@forestcop2399]

I haven't seen anything on the Rolex Air King 116900. Please

[@bboooobbyy]

Isn't 0.5Hz equivalent to one tick per second??

[@bboooobbyy]

2.5Hz is 5 beats/second, 4Hz is 8 beats/second, so it would follow...

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

I'd rather have all quartz watches than Roskopf pin pallet escapements. I'm sure oris would be of the same opinion.😅

[@tonomartnez8589]

I got a 17013 and all I can say is that I genuinelly think this 25000 total production estimation is a scam number made by Rolex to let this model still hold value today. I keep seeing Oysterquartz appear in watch repair shops and internet online forums and stores over and over., that would not happen if really only they sold that amount. From a watch aficionado point view also I think it's really a pity that Rolex burried the new Quartz prototype without even releasing one model. All in the sake of the Brand image, i guess, but a cultural crime anyway. Bad done Rolex

[@jayw2798]

You’re wrong

[@josealfonsosuarez1543]

Este raro modelo, además de ser el mas preciso creado por Rolex en sus 120 años de historia, con una desviación de menos de un segundo mensual (en la casa Rolex de cada país lo ajustan a esa precisión en todas las revisiones) tiene la ventaja de ser un híbrido, por lo que quien dude entre calibre mecánico o de cuarzo sabe que lleva ambas tecnologías en su muñeca. Otro aspecto de este Rolex es que es el modelo mas subestimado de la marca debido a ser casi desconocido, despreciado por ser cuarzo y curiosamente ser el mas preciso con mucha diferencia y el menos apreciado (en precio), lo que permite a las rentas no altas acceder a la marca como su primer y quizá único Rolex. Cuando se presentó el Oysterquartz, su precio era un 10% superior al de un President equivalente. También en el siglo pasado ofrecía muy alta tecnología, pues además de ser muy raro un cuarzo autocompensado todos los Oysterquartz ofrecen la posibilidad de ser ajustados casi segundo a segundo anual, lo que le permitió ser el reloj mas preciso de su época cuando en 1978 el corte del cuarzo pasó a la forma de diapasón y todos pasaron a ser cronómetros superlativos oficialmente, abandonando el título "Oysterquartz" a las 6. Y por último pero no menos importante, aunque poquiiiiiisimos propietarios lo tienen en cuenta, tiene un tamaño y diámetro que es el límite inferior para hombres y el superior para mujeres como reloj UNISEX. 36 mm es el único diámetro en cualquier reloj de muy alta gama que podemos dejar a nuestras hijas y nietas, un factor a considerar si pensamos en conservar el reloj mas allá de toda la vida. Resumiendo: un reloj a considerar.

[@AroustabouT]

pop shield

[@philb4031]

Funny how this video has aged!! Try getting one for 2k now......

[@alfredodavie2842]

Can a quartz be a Rolex ?

[@lowersaxon]

No, normally not.

[@ilovegongsmygongsongs2094]

first !!!

[@JamesinCalabria]

Secondo

[@Shlomo8561]

james stockman Phist

[@ilovegongsmygongsongs2094]

Not a "real" watch unless it's manual or automatic . Having a mini computer to tell me the time is cold in my opinion.

[@keithrose6931]

CHECK ENGINE Yeah but the quartz will tell you the correct time !

[@ilovegongsmygongsongs2094]

so will a apple watch...yuk

[@GuyNarnarian]

That is a typical watch snob response. If you watched the video he goes into detail why the Oysterquartz movement was not a mini computer. I love my 17013, received it from my wife as a wedding gift. It’s extremely unique, I’ve only seen one or two others in the metal. I also like the 1630, I think the design of the case and bracelets were great. Mine has zero slack, it’s built like a tank. I think these could be undervalued. I still prefer mechanical but I think the Oysterquartz is a highly underrated piece, the solid gold day dates can be had for some great prices.

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

The 5035 has a soul to me, it's one of the few quartz movements worth preserving...

[@gpshangari]

I like my oysterquartz more than my explorer 2 and i am not sure exactly why. I think most people dont recognize it...which is fun for such a high tech rolex