Oysterquartz Ref. 19019

ROLEX OYSTERQUARTZ DAY-DATE, REF. 19019, FULL SET

ICONEEK price: SOLD

Only one word comes immediately handling this wristwatch: AMAZING !

ICONEEK is very proud to introduce here a mint, superb and exclusive example of a rare model: The Oysterquartz Day-Date, ref. 19019, in white gold. A highly desirable and probably one of the best and finest quartz wristwatch ever produced. Let’s go “Back to the future”.

Back to the 1980s, Rolex started to produce quartz wristwatches with the reference 5100, in a limited edition of 1000 pieces, powered by the famous Beta 21 movement. The Beta 21 movement is also found in Patek Philippe or Omega watches. In 1977, after 5 years of testing and researching, Rolex launched its in-house quartz movement in two versions: the 5035 for the Datejust line and the cal. 5055 for the Day-date. These movements were, at the time and are still now, widely recognized as the « Rolls Royce » of quartz movements.

Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz were available in stainless steel, ref. 17000, 14k gold and steel « Rolesor », ref. 17013, or stainless steel with white gold bezel under the ref. 17014. The very rare and sough after Day-date models were exclusively craft in gold: 18K yellow gold, ref. 19018, and white gold ref. 19019, such as the present watch. The client was able to choose between 25 languages for the discs of day and date. The present watch bears a french calendar as it was bought in Geneva in 1988. The total production of both Datejust and Day-date together is estimated at 25’000 pieces. However, Oysterquartz Day-date are rarely available on the second hand market. It is interesting to notice that in 2001 the C.O.S.C stopped delivering certificates for quartz wristwatches, as they were too much accurate. Among the quartz wristwatches history and galaxy, the Rolex was far ahead any competitors, in terms of quality, accuracy, construction of their quartz movements. In the Rolex technical service booklet, it is interesting to read that the movement should gain or loss only 1 minute per year with normal use.  Our caliber 5055 is set with 11 jewels and signed twice « Rolex » on the bridge and the plate. The movement is also numbered 0029209. Because Caliber 5055 is derived from cal. 5035, with rapid date corrector, plus the date , is slightly higher 7.11 mm (cal. 5035 is 6.35 mm high.). This step by step movement also integrates a stop-seconde device.

This high-quality movement is well protected in the large and robust, massive and heavy 18k White gold tonneau-shaped case with a screw down oyster crown and screw down case back, for a perfect water resistance to 50 meters. The case still bears its original very strong bevels.The fluted bezel comes with a sapphire crystal with magnifying loup for the date. The underneath of the lugs are deeply engraved with the reference number « 19019 », case no. « 6562276 », « Registered design » and the gold marks. The thread of the case back is intact. The case back is engraved inside ref. 19000. The large integrated and removable 18K white gold bracelet comes with its full links, for an approx. overall length of 195 mm. The total overall weight of the watch is 161 grams!. The diameter is 36 mm. and the thickness is 13 mm.

Behind the sapphire crystal, we found a spectacular original gloss black dial fitted with brillant-cut and baguette diamond indexes.The dial is just handsome and extremely rare to find. The dial bears proudly the sentence «  Superlative chronometer officially certified », because « Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail », meaning the movement as to be as good as the rest. A particularly rare and fascinating dial combination, in addition to a sharp definition of the case, a stunning look. A trophy for discerning Rolex collectors.

Consigned by the original and current owner, never appeared on the market before, the present watch is in perfect working condition, as this watch has always been treated with great cares and fully maintained by Rolex Geneva. « One more thing », this pure gem comes with its original large brown leather Oysterquartz fitted presentation box and the original guarantee dated from  July 5th, 1988 and retailed by Bucherer!, the guarantee is also stamped with ref. 19019-8801 and case number 6562276. It is really great – for a watch collector-  to discover that behind the guarantee is hand-written all the service history of the watch. We can hardly remember a better preserved example with such a gloss black and diamond-set indexes. After 27 years, this watch impresses with its exceptional condition. The opportunity to get such a watch does not come around often.

When rarity, provenance, condition, history are all combined together, we can concluded in four words: A Top Collector Watch!

Condition: 10/10.