Closed | Important watches – Saturday 16 May 2015

Rolex started experimenting with different electronic solutions to wristwatches already in the 1950's. Many of their ideas were patented but there isn't any made prototypes from that time.

The first commercial electronic Rolex watch was "Quartz Date", launched in 1970. The movement, "Beta 21" was acquired, and also used by brands as Omega and Patek Philippe. The watch was made in about 1000 examples and was later discontinued in 1972.
In 1977 it was time for the launch of the new watch "Oysterquartz". The movement in this watch was thoroughly worked on with an unusual amount of mechanism, and considered by many to be the most exclusive quartz movement ever made.

The Oysterquartz with its characteristic look was produced for about 25 years and started disappearing in the catalogues somewhere in the years 2001-2003. It's estimated that less than 25 000 examples were made during these years.

Rumours are that a new electronic movement with perpetual calendar was patented by Rolex in 2001. But there's still no information about a commercial launch.