Regarding its oriental heritage:
I bought mine in 1974, blue linen a.k.a. brick a.k.a. mosaic a.k.a. shantung, with the traditional "engine turned bezel" (see photo two posts above), for half price, as an insurance settlement with a jeweler in Philadelphia. The watch was fine, but the box had smoke damage, thus half price ... $175.
I had it until 2010, when it was stolen from my house while I was in hospital. 36 years. Still going strong when I last saw it.
Wish I had the Rolex description of it ... I think they just called it "blue".
But ... a watch for an oriental market in Philadelphia?
When its went in for its overhauls over the years, several dealers said they had never seen one like it.
I just gave one to a very good friend, as a birthday present.
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