Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1966 Reference No: 1504 Movement No: D84767 Case No: 1'420'737 Model Name: Oyster Date Material: 18k white gold Calibre: Automatic, 1570, 26 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Brown crocodile leather strap Dimensions: 34 mm. diameter Signed:Case, dial and movement signed
Catalogue Essay
This charming Oyster Date features a geometric design on the bezel, which glimmers as each facet catches the light. Such an effect can only be achieved with white gold. This reference is incredibly rare. In fact, it is the first time to our knowledge that a white gold reference 1504 has ever appeared on the auction market. Preserved in excellent condition, this watch still retains a sharp milled finish and hallmark to the back of the lug.
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.