1987 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1003 Full Set

In 1931 Rolex patented a self-winding watch movement, this was one of the first movements to be wound through the means of a rotor ‘weight’. This weight moved as the wearer moved their arm and wrist, constantly winding the mechanism. Hence the moniker ‘Perpetual’ as it would be perpetually wound.

 

At that early juncture in Rolex’s history, the first Perpetual movements were not solely designed and produced by Rolex. They were originally modules that consisted of rotor assembly mechanisms that could be bolted onto the back of an existing movement, called the Hunter from movement maker Aegler. Adding a module onto a pre-existing movement meant an even thicker movement which needed even more space in any watch case. To fit into the then new feature case, the Oyster, it needed to be even more spacious with a deeper caseback.

 

Though some of the Rolex reference history is vague and lost to the annuls of time, the first documentation with true indication of the first Oyster Perpetual model was in 1950 when the Oyster Perpetual makes its first appearance. A number of calibres were used such as the 645 and 1030, which was also featured inside the early Submariner and the Explorer.

 

From 1959 onwards the Rolex Oyster Perpetual No Date all featured automatic movements (hence the name) screw down back and screw down crown. As a model the No Date was always 36mm in size, featuring a plastic crystal and a 26 jewels movement. All starting with reference 1002 through to reference 1038, from reference 1003 onwards until the 1038 they were all available with either fluted or milled bezels. Available at the time with a selection of bracelets and available in stainless steel, steel and gold with yellow, white, pink gold bezel. Or even the whole watch in solid pink or yellow gold. The two calibres that feature within this generation of Oyster Perpetual are the 1560 and the 1570. The production for this Oyster Perpetual ended in the early to mid – 1980s.

Offered here for sale is a very nice entry level Rolex Oyster Perpetual (OP), elder version of the newly OP launched by Rolex just a couple of days ago.

 

The watch features a stainless steel engine-turned fixed bezel, an unpolished stainless steel case and an untouched and mint silver T Swiss Made T dial with stick hour markers and matching hands.

 

The original 19mm Rolex stainless Steel Oyster bracelet 78350 with Date Code M9 and 557 endlinks has full links and no stretch.

 

It comes as a full kit, presenting booklets in French (or Swiss), original punched and stamped papers with country code 011 showing it was sold in Switzerland on the 04-04-1990, inner box and outer box with reference sticker.

 

It has been fully serviced and water tested by our qualified watchmaker.

 

This watch is ready to become someone’s daily beater.