Superb 1990 Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz Ref. 17000 – Blue Dial

We are pleased to present this steel Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz, Ref. 17000, produced in 1990, fitted with a superb blue sunburst dial – one of the most sought-after variants on this reference.
Long regarded as the "black sheep" of the Rolex catalogue, the Oysterquartz is today enjoying considerable renewed interest, driven by the trend for integrated-bracelet watches and by its objective rarity. Its quartz caliber 5035, developed in-house and chronometer-certified by the COSC, offers a Côtes de Genève finish that would put many a mechanical movement to shame. Fully overhauled by our watchmakers, it works perfectly. The tritium markers and hands ("T SWISS MADE T") display a subtle uniform cream patina. The case is in excellent condition, with crisp polished chamfers and sharp demarcations between brushed and mirror-polished surfaces. The Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 17000B, is also perfectly preserved.
An excellent example, combining a very fine overall condition with the desirable blue dial.

We are pleased to present this steel Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz Ref. 17000, fitted with a very fine blue sunburst dial.

The Oysterquartz holds a singular place in Rolex’s history. Launched in 1977 after several years of research and development, it is the Geneva manufacture’s response to the "quartz crisis" – and what a response. Rather than adopting a generic quartz movement like many of its competitors, Rolex developed in-house the caliber 5035, a movement of remarkable precision (in the order of ± 50 seconds per year) fitted with a thermistor for thermal compensation and a finish (Côtes de Genève, gilt inscriptions) that would put many a mechanical movement to shame. The caliber obtained COSC chronometer certification from 1980 onwards. In parallel, Rolex designed an entirely new case and integrated bracelet, with angular lines and pronounced facets, very much rooted in the aesthetic of the late 1970s – and whose echoes are found today in the massive renewed interest in integrated-bracelet watches as well as in the new Land-Dweller collection.

The total Oysterquartz production, across all references (Datejust and Day-Date), is estimated at around 25,000 examples over a quarter of a century – barely 1,000 pieces per year. A remarkably low figure for Rolex, which makes every Oysterquartz a far rarer piece than most of the brand’s mechanical models.

Our example, of the E series (1990), features a blue sunburst dial – one of the most sought-after variants on this reference. The applied baton markers and the hands retain their original luminescent dots (tritium-based, as attested by the "T SWISS MADE T" inscription at 6 o’clock), having developed a very slight, perfectly uniform cream patina. The date aperture at 3 o’clock, magnified by the Cyclops lens, completes a dial of exemplary legibility.

The 36 mm steel case (42 mm from lug to lug) is in excellent condition. The broad polished chamfers that characterise the Oysterquartz design are crisp, and the demarcations between the brushed and mirror-polished surfaces are sharp – a sign of a case preserved in its integrity, and in our eyes an essential condition for the purchase of an Oysterquartz. The Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 17000B, is in very fine condition. The sapphire crystal is intact.

The caliber 5035 has undergone a complete service and works perfectly.

Long regarded as the "black sheep" of the Rolex catalogue by mechanical purists, the Oysterquartz has for some years been enjoying considerable renewed interest – driven by the trend for integrated-bracelet watches, by the model’s objective rarity, and by the build quality of a case whose design and finishing have nothing to envy the brand’s most prized mechanical references.

This Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz, reference 17000, is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The very fine blue sunburst dial is perfectly preserved, and is well in keeping with the watch’s year of production (1990). The luminescent material on the hands and at the tips of the baton markers has developed a beautiful homogeneous cream patina, bringing genuine vintage charm.
The steel case is very fine, retains all of its caseback markings (including the serial number), and crisp chamfers.
The Rolex Oyster steel bracelet retains all of its links (12), shows no slack/"stretch", its chamfers on either side are particularly crisp, and the clasp is new.
The quartz movement, Rolex caliber 5035, has undergone a complete service and works perfectly.
An excellent example!

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