Thoughts on Rolex Oysterquartz?

[spammyman]

I'm curious what the opinion is for the Rolex Oysterquartz? I see that they seem to sell for a premium considering the general disdain for quartz watches in the collector mindset. What about servicing costs? I kind of like that the case and bracelet is reminiscent of a Royal Oak with the sharp angles. Thoughts?

[Dr Watches]

I love them. Most of the cases are very far from razor sharp these days though. I’ve heard some pretty scary service stories as well from my circle of buddies. It’s a quartz (so it has electoral parts that can fail) with much of the geartrain of a mechanical (so it require regular oil/clean/lube).

[Andad]

Just put a new battery in mine a few months ago.

I like it a lot.

[Hub6152]

The key to keeping the OQ going is for regular cleaning. The stepper motor isn’t strong enough to overcome a dirty escapement and burns out, which is the most common cause of failure. The supply of stepper motors at RSC is likely to run short so in some cases they replace the complete movement which isn’t cheap. However Rolliworks and some others have learned how to repair a broken stepper motor coil which is much better than having a whole new movement.

That all said the OQ is an absolute marvel of horology, 5 years of R&D, and is far from a normal cheap quartz you’d find in a “disposable” watch. It’s a full mechanical hybrid with an escapement and train wheels but powered by a battery and regulated by a crystal.

Incidentally Genta supposedly designed the original Rolex Quartz ref 5300 “Texan” which was only made for 1 year in 1971.

[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

The key to keeping the OQ going is for regular cleaning. The stepper motor isn’t strong enough to overcome a dirty escapement and burns out, which is the most common cause of failure. The supply of stepper motors at RSC is likely to run short so in some cases they replace the complete movement which isn’t cheap. However Rolliworks and some others have learned how to repair a broken stepper motor coil which is much better than having a whole new movement.

That all said the OQ is an absolute marvel of horology, 5 years of R&D, and is far from a normal cheap quartz you’d find in a “disposable” watch. It’s a full mechanical hybrid with an escapement and train wheels but powered by a battery and regulated by a crystal.

Incidentally Genta supposedly designed the original Rolex Quartz ref 5300 “Texan” which was only made for 1 year in 1971.

Interesting, did not know the Genta connection

[GreatHarry]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

The key to keeping the OQ going is for regular cleaning. The stepper motor isn’t strong enough to overcome a dirty escapement and burns out, which is the most common cause of failure. The supply of stepper motors at RSC is likely to run short so in some cases they replace the complete movement which isn’t cheap. However Rolliworks and some others have learned how to repair a broken stepper motor coil which is much better than having a whole new movement.

That all said the OQ is an absolute marvel of horology, 5 years of R&D, and is far from a normal cheap quartz you’d find in a “disposable” watch. It’s a full mechanical hybrid with an escapement and train wheels but powered by a battery and regulated by a crystal.

Incidentally Genta supposedly designed the original Rolex Quartz ref 5300 “Texan” which was only made for 1 year in 1971.

You know what? I was only thinking when I saw the above pictures, if Mr. Genta had anything to do with its original design. The similarities between it and AP are quite striking.

[GreatHarry]

https://www.oysterquartz.watch/19188

[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by GreatHarry

You know what? I was only thinking when I saw the above pictures, if Mr. Genta had anything to do with its original design. The similarities between it and AP are quite striking.

Actually the evidence is only anecdotal and not firmly established. Salon QP interviewed one of Gentas’ close friends and it was he who casually mentioned that Genta had always wanted to design the DJ but instead had designed the original Rolex Quartz. There are some early Rolex Oysters from the 1940’s that have very similar design cues with the shape of the case and is likely the Oysterquartz was derived from them as much as anything.

This is the ref 5300 Texan that Rolex only made for 1 year and supposedly the Genta design.

[Crown & Shield]

I do not know if it is the angle of the picture or what, but it is striking how close to the edge of the dial the date window is on the 5300. Was the Beta movement bigger than the Oysterquartz?

[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by Crown & Shield

I do not know if it is the angle of the picture or what, but it is striking how close to the edge of the dial the date window is on the 5300. Was the Beta movement bigger than the Oysterquartz?

Much bigger and is one reason why Rolex stopped the 5300 so quickly because it didn’t fit the normal sized Oyster case. That and the fact that despite the funding they had put into forming CEH (Centres Electronique Horlogers) and the development of the Beta 1 and Beta 21 movements they decided they didn’t want to use the same movement that Omega, Patek and others were as CEH participants.

[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Much bigger and is one reason why Rolex stopped the 5300 so quickly because it didn’t fit the normal sized Oyster case. That and the fact that despite the funding they had put into forming CEH (Centres Electronique Horlogers) and the development of the Beta 1 and Beta 21 movements they decided they didn’t want to use the same movement that Omega, Patek and others were as CEH participants.

Thank you

[mineral]

Originally Posted by spammyman

I'm curious what the opinion is for the Rolex Oysterquartz? I see that they seem to sell for a premium considering the general disdain for quartz watches in the collector mindset. What about servicing costs? I kind of like that the case and bracelet is reminiscent of a Royal Oak with the sharp angles. Thoughts?

Same DNA? :)




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[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by mineral

Same DNA? :)




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As I stated above there is only anecdotal evidence that Genta was the designer of the first Rolex Quartz Watch. This is not confirmed by his wife who is currently compiling an online museum to his memory from what I’ve read. Rolex has had similar angled cases in its past inventory that it might just as likely have drawn on for the inspiration for the OQ such as this early Watch with a very similar distinctly angular case design.

But they most likely did look at elements of the AP RO design such as the integrated bracelet and perhaps “borrowed” ideas to make the OQ distinctly different from their mechanical references.

[mrs_LA]

Originally Posted by mineral

Same DNA? :)


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Speaks a thousand words.


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[spammyman]

This has been a very interesting and informative thread.

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

As I stated above there is only anecdotal evidence that Genta was the designer of the first Rolex Quartz Watch. This is not confirmed by his wife who is currently compiling an online museum to his memory from what I’ve read. Rolex has had similar angled cases in its past inventory that it might just as likely have drawn on for the inspiration for the OQ such as this early Watch with a very similar distinctly angular case design.

But they most likely did look at elements of the AP RO design such as the integrated bracelet and perhaps “borrowed” ideas to make the OQ distinctly different from their mechanical references.

That’s quite correct as I have seen many vintage Rolex especially bubble back have the similar integrated case design. That’s why I like to collect OQ as well and I am big royal oak fan :)


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[doramas]

I love the version with the OQ case and automatic movement.



Rolex 1530





Rolex 1630


I'd love to have the 1530.

[BisonHead]

These remind me of a Casio i had as young lad, Angular design was very similar.

Loved that watch to bits and still think it may be in my old room at my parents. Will have to check next visit.

[Crown & Shield]

I just want to add that it is very difficult to find these watches in pristine conditions because they are very difficult to polish without altering those angular lines and rounding their sharp edges. Even those flat solid links tend to become somewhat rounded with polishing. The watches pictured in this thread are very well preserved in that regard, especially the 1630s

[mineral]

Originally Posted by BisonHead

These remind me of a Casio i had as young lad, Angular design was very similar.

Loved that watch to bits and still think it may be in my old room at my parents. Will have to check next visit.

Can’t see yours and please share with us if you find it


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[spammyman]

Oh wow. Had no idea the 1530 existed. That would be an ideal watch for me, but looks like they fetch a premium.

[Vlad]

I'm not familiar with model 5300 - I am familiar with 5100. Can someone enlighten me please.

Vlad

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[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by Vlad

I'm not familiar with model 5300 - I am familiar with 5100. Can someone enlighten me please.

Vlad

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My bad - not a typo so much as a braino! Yes 5100 it should be and not 5300.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by mineral

Same DNA? :)




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If you were to compare a 36mm 14790, it's even closer.

Also, other companies produced very similar watches ... Below is RoyalQuartz from Eterna

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[Hub6152]

Originally Posted by Vlad

If you were to compare a 36mm 14790, it's even closer.

Also, other companies produced very similar watches ... Below is RoyalQuartz from Eterna

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How interesting - I’ve never seen one of those before! The similarities are striking.

[Vlad]

Someone asked to see a photo of Beta21 in 5100. Enjoy.

[mineral]

Originally Posted by Vlad

If you were to compare a 36mm 14790, it's even closer.

Also, other companies produced very similar watches ... Below is RoyalQuartz from Eterna

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Agreed that the 14790 with same diameter 36mm will be closer comparison. And not only the Eterna, there are many watch companies produced similar designs


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[Crown & Shield]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Someone asked to see a photo of Beta21 in 5100. Enjoy.

Thanks It looks really, hem, primitive?
Funny also how the crown on the Texano does not look like a Rolex crown at all.
As for the Eterna above, they seem to have copied the Royal Oak crown as well (except it is octagonal, so probably more comfortable to use)...

[CFR]

Originally Posted by Vlad

Someone asked to see a photo of Beta21 in 5100. Enjoy.

Nice! Hadn't seen that before. Here's a Beta 21 in an Omega cal 1300:

[GreatHarry]

Originally Posted by Hub6152

Actually the evidence is only anecdotal and not firmly established. Salon QP interviewed one of Gentas’ close friends and it was he who casually mentioned that Genta had always wanted to design the DJ but instead had designed the original Rolex Quartz. There are some early Rolex Oysters from the 1940’s that have very similar design cues with the shape of the case and is likely the Oysterquartz was derived from them as much as anything.

This is the ref 5300 Texan that Rolex only made for 1 year and supposedly the Genta design.

Thanks for posting a picture of the ref.5300 Texan, I couldn’t find anything about it at all online, much appreciated!
The case design from the ‘40’s certainly has its DNA in the Oysterquartz.
Very informative.