Men’s/Unisex ROLEX Ref. 1500, Cal. 1560, Oyster Perpetual Date, Automatic, 34mm Sunburst Silver Dial, Polished Stainless-Steel Case and Bracelet.  Vintage from 1966.

 

Up for sale here is a pre-owned vintage Rolex (Ref. 1500) Oyster Perpetual 34mm watch.  This timepiece has been part of a watch collector’s collection that is being liquidated.  For a sixty year old vintage watch, it is in very good condition.  To the naked eye, it looks like you would expect a Rolex from the 1960’s to look.   Under close magnification, you can see the expected incidental “scratches” on the case and bracelet that come from routine wear.   The sunburst silver dial and crystal have a nice clean look.   It does not come with a Rolex watch box or papers.  The bracelet will fit wrist size up to 8-inches.  

 

 

This is a timeless classic, Men's Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1500 all-stainless steel Date automatic, c.1966, all original, in good working condition. Unrestored Rolex signed silver dial, applied baton index hour markers, silver minute and hour hands, sweeping central second hand, date display at the 3 position, hands and dial in good, original vintage condition.  Acrylic crystal. Smooth bezel on stainless steel case measures 34mm wide, case in good condition. 26-jeweled Rolex cal.1560 COSC automatic movement.   In excellent running condition. On original Rolex folded stainless steel Oyster bracelet.   

 

YEAR – 1966

MOVEMENT MODEL:  1560

CASE STYLE:  1500

CASE S/N:  2117,xxx

BRACELET:  Rolex SS 77

WRIST SIZE:  8” Max (10 Links)

Technical Analysis of this watch’s condition by a Professional Watch Jeweler:  “2.1 mil serial.  Non-quickset.  Case and bracelet show scratches and indentions.  Dial and hands show patina.  Bracelet exhibits heavy stretch.  Acrylic crystal has chips and surface scratches,   The movement is running at the time of cataloguing; however, it has not been tested for timekeeping accuracy or power reserve duration…”

 

·      Brand:   Rolex

·      Model:  Date

·      Serial #:  21174xx

·      Reference #:  1500

·      Case Material:  Stainless Steel

·      Band Material:  Stainless Steel

·      Condition:  Good

·      Papers Included?:  No

·      In Original Box?:  No

·      Year:  1969

·      Exact or Circa:  Circa

·      Size:  34

·      Gender:  Unisex

·      Movement:  Automatic

·      Bracelet Links:  10

·      Date:  1

 

From research about this timepiece, here is a compilation of comments from industry specialists and subject matter experts:

 

  

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Reference 1500 is a classic vintage luxury timepiece produced by Rolex from the early 1960s through the late 1970s. It is widely celebrated among collectors for its minimalist aesthetic, historical significance, and robust performance.

 

Below is an overview of the key specifications, design traits, and collectability factors of the Reference 1500:

 

 Technical Specifications

Feature	Specification Details
Case Diameter	34mm (Slightly smaller than the 36mm Datejust)
Case Material	Primarily Oystersteel
Bezel	Smooth / Polished fixed bezel
Crystal	Vintage Acrylic (Plexiglass) with a Cyclops date magnification lens
Lug Width	19mm with drilled lug holes for easy strap changes
Movement	Automatic Caliber 1565 (early models) or Caliber 1570/1575 (later models)
Date Function	Non-quickset (Requires advancing the time past midnight to change the date)
Water Resistance	Original screw-down Oyster case (Treat as splash-proof unless modern tested)

 

Key Design & Collector Variations

• The 34mm Profile: While the signature Datejust measures 36mm, the Reference 1500 belongs to the 34mm "Date" family. It offers a highly versatile, understated option that wears comfortably on a wide range of wrist sizes.
• Dial Evolution: The reference features diverse dial textures and colors. The most common are sunburst silver.
• Sigma & Tritium Dials: Many 1970s models feature tritium lume plots marked "T SWISS T" at the bottom.
• Bracelet Options: It originally shipped on three-link Oyster bracelets. It is also frequently paired with leather straps for a formal look]

 

 

As one of the least expensive vintage Rolex watches, the reference 1500 Rolex Date offers tremendous value for the money and represents classic Rolex at its very best. Aside from its functional design, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date ref: 1500 is an appealing timepiece to own due to its easy-to-wear design that has remained timeless throughout the past half a century. On the pre-owned market, it’s also incredibly affordable for a timeless classic from the world’s most famous luxury watch manufacturer.

 

 

Introduced in the early 1960s and known as the slightly smaller brother to the iconic Datejust, the Rolex 1500 is the perfect vintage Rolex watch for daily wear and use. Robust enough to stand the rigors of everyday life but classic enough to be worn with a suit and tie, the Rolex Date reference shares the same in-house, chronometer-certified Perpetual movement as its larger Datejust sibling, granting it identical performance despite its smaller case diameter and lower price point.  As noted in many Rolex Date reviews, the reference 1500 stands out as the quintessential example of Rolex’s smaller date-displaying wristwatch. Introduced in the early 1960s and remaining in production through the late 1970s, the Rolex Date ref. 1500 was available in various materials and featured a wide range of dials throughout its production, making it a favorite among collectors.

 

 

Watch Specs
Brand:	Rolex
Model:	Oyster Perpetual Datejust
Reference:	1500 series
Gender:	Men's
Case Diameter:	34mm

 

Watch Features
Dial:	Genuine Rolex Silver Color Dial with Baton / Stick Hour Markers
Bezel:	Genuine Rolex Stainless Steel Smooth Bezel
Crystal:	Acrylic crystal
Case:	Genuine Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Case with Screw-Down Crown and case-Back
Bracelet:	Genuine Rolex Stainless Steel Oyster Bracelet
Wrist Size:	This Rolex will fit up to an approx 8" inch wrist
Box:	Being a vintage Rolex, original box is not included
Condition:	Being a preowned Rolex, signs of wear may be visible.

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PHOTOS ... Look at the 20-Pictures of the Watch You Are Bidding On ... This is an Impressive Timepiece!  

 

This is a “used watch” from a watch collector.  Used watches will show some signs of normal use … They aren’t perfect.  See the photos as they are a part of the listing.

 

"IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN OTHER WATCHES, CHECK MY OTHER LISTINGS FOR SOME GREAT WATCHES AND FIND SOME GREAT BARGAINS!"

 

Please bid with confidence, and email with questions!

 

PACKAGED AND SHIPPED WITH EXTREME CARE

TIMELY NEXT-DAY SHIPPING

WILL SHIP TO CONTINENTAL U.S. ONLY

FAST DOMESTIC SHIPPING

"Thanks for Looking!"

This item comes from a smoke-free, pet free home and a reputable seller. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

 

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