1981 Rolex Oysterdate Precision Ref. 6694 Gilt dial 'Reptile patina'

Rolex used “Precision” on watches that are not certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). It’s important to note that COSC certification has no bearing on the watch itself. Non-certified watches didn’t fail certification, they simply didn’t apply for the certification.

 

These Precision labelled watches were introduced by Rolex to offer a lower priced product whilst still protecting their main product lines by the differentiation in the labelling.

 

These watches were first introduced in two styles. The first were simple dress watches, often in gold but sometimes steel. Rolex first introduced these pieces in the 40s, with the latest examples coming from the 70s.

 

The second style debuted in the classic Rolex Oyster case, giving a sportier look, appearing on the scene in circa 1953. The most famous of these are the Oysterdate and Oyster Precision models.

 

The key difference between the Oyster and Oysterdate Precision is the date function. The Oyster Precision was focused solely on time whereas the Oysterdate, launched in circa 1953, featured a date function. The Oysterdate would go on to feature in the Rolex lineup until the late 1980’s.

 

Reference 6694 introduced the collection to the Breguet overcoil hairspring and a higher-beat movement, which upped the frequency from 18,000 bph to 21,600 bph. The Oysterdate remained essentially unchanged over the next three decades before gracefully bowing out of the Rolex portfolio in 1989.

The watch offered here today is a unique 6694 which dates to 1981.

 

While most of these watches were seen with white, silver, or black matte dials, this example features a stunning black glossy gilt dial that has aged in a very cool way; the glossy surface has built a patina that looks like the skin of a reptile, almost as if it has grown scales, or like a mineral crystal rock. Anyway, the interesting thing is that this patina has spread throughout the dial building shapes in different sizes and forms, but following a pattern that looks almost predefined, from bigger to smaller as they move from the center to towards the edge of the dial. While this patina covers most of the dial in an even, uniform, manner, the gilt printings, and gilt outer track remain perfectly visible. Furthermore, the gold hour markers along with the gold hands, that present a matching patina, create a mesmerizing combination.

 

The 34mm Oyster stainless steel case remains thick, letting visible only minor signs of use. The smooth stainless steel bezel makes the watch look bigger. The case back remains in the same condition (the black shadow seen on the picture of this listing is the reflection of our camera).

 

The original acrylic crystal with cyclops has some minor marks that could be easily buffer away.

 

Beating inside this interesting 6694 we find the workhorse; a 17-jewel manually wound caliber 1225 movement with non-quickset date. It hums along at 21,600 bph, which is a nice upgrade over the normal 18,000 and must have been quite accurate when it was introduced. This one has been fully serviced and it’s running excellent.

 

This watch offers the perfect combination of style, heritage, and affordability when it comes to a timeless vintage Rolex watch.

 

Macro pictures of the dial are available under request.