Passions Watch Exchange

About This Watch

Vintage. No box or papers but a Passions box will be given.

This is the original Mark 1 Oyster Quartz Datejust by Rolex from 1978. This quartz watch is over forty years old now.

Rolex launched their first quartz watch in 1970 but it was a limited run model Ref.5100 & only in solid gold then fitted with a Beta 21 movement developed by a joint Swiss effort, the Centre Electronic Horloger (CEH) to counter the Japanese threat. In 1972, when Rolex stopped producing the reference 5100, they left the CEH and set out on a quest to develop an in-house quartz movement. This development took five years, and in 1977 two new quartz movements were introduced to the market. These were the Cal.5035 for the Datejust and 5055 for the Day-date. They used a 357 or SR44 1.5V silver oxide battery.

This first production models were made for about 18 months before the movements were sent for COSC testing to achieve chronometer standards and printed on the dials after that. These pre-COSC 5035 Datejusts were known as the Mark 1. In the 25yrs production period, it is estimated that only 25000 were made which is an incredibly small number for Rolex.

The Mark 1 we have here belongs to the first 18 months production and is of course the most sought after but what we have here is the ultra rare black dial of which very few have surfaced for sale till date.

Watch is in near mint condition with sharp edges and long bracelet.