Pink-gold shelled 1025 OP?

[Ascari_2]

Hi all,

Recently I picked up a circa 1960's 1025 Oyster Perpetual. What's interesting about this piece is that it has a pink gold shell/bezel and a yellow gold crown. Now I've had a 1024 sometime in the past and know about the gold-capped versions of these watches. But I've never come across a pink/rose gold capped OP. Can anyone shed some light on what's in my hands?

For reference, it is running the 1560 movement and loking at the back of the watch I can clearly see the seam where the outer metal layer meets the stainless case, so I am pretty sure this isn't some cheap plated fake.

Thanks
Y

[Dan S]

Photos would be welcome.

[Ascari_2]

Here you go. You can click and see a full-res version.






This one is next to my 16803 for the color comparison.


Interestingly enough, I found another instance of a pink/rose gold 1025 with a YG crown being sold through a store somewhere in Japan. https://www.rasin.co.jp/SHOP/A-1025PGF.html

Makes me really curious how these watches got their shells.

[Ascari_2]

Hmm, here's another one. https://www.chrono24.com/rolex/oyste...id18280138.htm

Looks like they are out there. Just quite a bit more rare than the YG 1024/1025.

[Dan S]

Looks totally legit to me, and very lovely. As you suggested, the crown is probably not original.

[L.K Johnson]

There is a risk that it’s yellow gold that turned pink due to patina but normally it’s the other way around...that pink gold turns yellow after a long period of time. I can imagine that gold cap may react differently then solid gold when it comes to patina. Anyhow, once polished it will go back to its original gold color. Should be very careful on polishing gold cap though...

[drockadam]

Very cool! What a stunning OP. What will you be putting it on? A nice black strap with a gold Rolex buckle would be stunning.

[Ascari_2]

Originally Posted by drockadam

Very cool! What a stunning OP. What will you be putting it on? A nice black strap with a gold Rolex buckle would be stunning.

Thank you all. And I haven't decided yet. The crystal looks like it's been polished 20 times over so that needs to go. Also the amplitude, while acceptable, is low for my liking. So it's going to get an overhaul. I am sure I will also clean up the case a bit as this is not a Sub/GMT where you really want to steer clear of that. As far as what strap, I think you're right about the color. Just not sure if I would go with soft suede or crock leather with a nice pattern and pink gold stitching.

[R.W.T.]

Oh don't replace the crystal. You'll be very hard pressed to find a tropic 12 with that profile.

I had a 1025 like that in Pink for a bit.

[Ascari_2]

Originally Posted by R.W.T.

Oh don't replace the crystal. You'll be very hard pressed to find a tropic 12 with that profile.

I had a 1025 like that in Pink for a bit.

Thanks for the heads-up. I've seen crystals a lot worse, so I might do just what you're suggesting and keep what's there. But the service is a must.

[R.W.T.]

Definitely service it.

Mine had pink gold linen dial. Sigh....sometimes you sell the dumbest things....it was dead mint.