Oysterquartz question

[Valedictorian]

Hi everyone

I’m considering buying an OQ and would like to hear some of the key downsides about this watch. Stuff that may make me change my mind and stick to mechanical ones.

Thanks in advance!

Regards
V.

[vette boy 52]

Price for service is very high

[fsprow]

Unless you want a quartz Rolex or love the style, I note:

Parts can be difficult and expensive to source.
No telling how long parts will be available.
Many superior quartz watches available (e.g. Grand Seiko).

[Ballzzz]

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=733995

[Brikev]

I wore one of these watches everyday for 30+ years. They are built like a tank. They also tick very loud....like keep you up at night loud. They require a batttery and seal change about about every 2 years. I loved the watch but was concerned about parts availabilty and service, so i moved to a mechanical Rolex.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by Valedictorian

Hi everyone

I’m considering buying an OQ and would like to hear some of the key downsides about this watch. Stuff that may make me change my mind and stick to mechanical ones.

Thanks in advance!

Regards
V.

If you prefer mechanical watches but like the design of OQ this might change your mind. Before Rolex made 170xx OQ watches, they tried same case designs with 1530 with integrated Oyster and smooth bezel in SS and 1630 TT with Jubilee style bracelet and fluted bezel. Interesting things about those watches: 1)1630 TT Jubilee bracelet has all middle links Gold so it goes like this: SS-YG-YG-YG-SS compared to 17013 which goes like SS-YG-SS-YG-SS. That's also how you differentiate 1630s with 1630 bracelets compared to those that have had bracelet replaced with a 17013 bracelet later on. 2)OQ was available in SS in two versions, one with fluted bezel and Jubilee style bracelet in 17014 and 17000 which was smooth bezel Oyster style bracelet. However the automatic movement version that precedes the OQ only has the smooth bezel and Oyster bracelet in SS version. 3)Early 1530 used a bracelet that used screws to attach the links unlike the later bracelet that was also used in 17000 that utilized pins. 4)Finally, due to the 1570 movement being smaller than 5035 used in OQ both 1530 and 1630 have the sunken dial surrounded by a special rehaut only present on those models.

And did I mention they're very rare. It's highly unlikely you'll bump into somebody else wearing one at random.

[Tools]

The Oyster Quartz is a classic and demonstrates Rolex capability to create anything that they want to dabble in.

It also shows an era where Rolex decided that their niche was in the mechanical watch business, so they quietly ceased production. They didn't stop because it was a failure or not up-to-par; they made a business decision.

I wouldn't try to talk you out of it. Quite the contrary.

[77T]

The Achilles heel is availability of replacement oscillators.

If Rolex halts OQ oscillator production - you will have an existential problem.


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[wisguy]

If you ike it go for it.

Service is expensive on all watches and parts availability will be an issue for most watches eventually.

I like mine, issues are basically that it is smaller than what I'm used to, that it ticks very loudly, I have never found a 100% comfortable setting given how large the links are.

On the positive side, it's different and you rarely see one in the wild, most people think it's fake and that's a plus when you want to go below the radar.

[Oystersteel92]

Originally Posted by Tools

The Oyster Quartz is a classic and demonstrates Rolex capability to create anything that they want to dabble in.

It also shows an era where Rolex decided that their niche was in the mechanical watch business, so they quietly ceased production. They didn't stop because it was a failure or not up-to-par; they made a business decision.

I wouldn't try to talk you out of it. Quite the contrary.

I think I read somewhere once that Rolex had actually designed and prototyped an updated Oyster Quartz movement but then decided to just discontinue the model. Anyone got any info on that?

[daveo5]

I have had/have four different models of Oysterquartz. I had the white gold dd for several years and also the 17000 dj. At present I have my 17013 two tone plus the 17014 ss and WG bezel. I had the two tone fully serviced 5 years ago by Rolex Dallas. Rolex has told their boutiques not to service the OQs but send them to Rolex. Parts are not a problem. Cost for the full service, replace the electronics plus all the other recommended service—$800.00. The watch will last indefinitely, just replace the battery and seals. Rolex produced about 25,000 total from 1977 to 2001, approximately. The OQ movements have been rated better than their mechanicals. Buy.


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