Can someone tell me more about this watch?

[Kube]

I have no idea about it but it’s a friend of mine’s who inherited it from his grandfather. I’m trying to get him as much information on it as I can. Much appreciated.


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[crowncollection]

Extremely rare model 1530

Quite expensive


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[TimeLord2]

[QUOTE=crowncollection;10736917]Extremely rare model 1530

Quite expensive

Interesting. The only case configuration I have seen like that is an Oyster Quartz. Ya learn something new every day on this site! Here's more info: https://shop.hodinkee.com/products/1...nt=17827404868

[214270Explorer]

[kwcsports]

Cool case, I've never seen that one.

[CKizzy]

Grandfather

[TimeLord2]

Originally Posted by CKizzy

Grandfather

OP has 61 posts so probably not what you're thinking… Hopefully anyways…

[MILGAUSS88]

I don't think they are as rare as the are reputed to be.
I personally have ran across 4 in the wild (outside of a watch dealer inventory), versus zero for pre 2000 Daytona's, Explorer's both I and II.

[Nikrnic]

I thought it was an Oysterquartz as well with that integrated case...nice.

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[offrdmania]

Yup, its a 1530. Uses the same case as a 17000 Oysterquartz.

[offrdmania]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

I don't think they are as rare as the are reputed to be.
I personally have ran across 4 in the wild (outside of a watch dealer inventory), versus zero for pre 2000 Daytona's, Explorer's both I and II.

You ran across 4 1530s in the wild or 4 Oysterquartz's? They use the same case you know and the quartz is night and day more common than the 1530.

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by offrdmania

You ran across 4 1530s in the wild or 4 Oysterquartz's? They use the same case you know and the quartz is night and day more common than the 1530.

1530's.

First one was at a pawn shop and I thought it was an oysterquartz that had the movement swapped, because I was unaware of the 1530. Early 90's, Chicago.

The next 3, I found all in the same year, 2 at auction, one privately. Maybe 5 years ago. I always hate when I miss something, and remembering the one I missed in the 90's I wanted to get these. I bought 2, and something came up for the 3rd auction. Do not remember now. But did not go to it.

[mineral]

It is 1530 and I only seen the silver dial so far. Your friend watch dial could have developed patina and become yellowish which is more desirable for collector.


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[Vlad]

1530. Don't know how many were made, but few years ago "500" was floated as total production. I used to have a spreadsheet with about 60 of them with serial numbers. Few production cycles, 4.1 mil range and then 5.1 mil range.

Dial were, as far as I know, only silver. and yes, a lot of them have aged to this color.

Very cool model. They originally came with their own bracelets which was similar to oysterquartz, but had a different model number.

few pics:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11jn...ew?usp=sharing

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Y5X...ew?usp=sharing

Hodinkee might be right that this model came out before OysterQuartz and was discontinued shortly after.

[daveo5]

A 1530. Rolex made approximately 500 and the sister model 1630 in two tone. They are notable for having mechanical movements, reference 1570, encased in a case designed for the Oysterquartz models which were released at the same time. The 1570 movement is non quickset for changing the date. Hang on to it.


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[JohnnyM]

I'd say it looks small and kinda beat up

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by Vlad

1530. Don't know how many were made, but few years ago "500" was floated as total production. I used to have a spreadsheet with about 60 of them with serial numbers. Few production cycles, 4.1 mil range and then 5.1 mil range.

Dial were, as far as I know, only silver. and yes, a lot of them have aged to this color.

Very cool model. They originally came with their own bracelets which was similar to oysterquartz, but had a different model number.

I have both dials.
I really think the darker dial is champagne, and not patina. I could be wrong bit I just don't picture that type of color change between the two.
If not champagne, then at least a different silver dial that was more prone to change in color.

The silver dial is 4.09mill, the "champagne" is 4.15mill.

I really cannot believe they are that rare.
You can almost always find them on eBay. (3 for sale right now.)

500 would make it more rare than a 6542.
We would probably be talking diver Milgauss rare at that number.

Just seems to be too many around to support that number, imo.

[MILGAUSS88]

Drives me nuts that I cannot add photos directly on the forum website.
I had to go to Tapatalk to add.

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[southtexas]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

I don't think they are as rare as the are reputed to be.
I personally have ran across 4 in the wild (outside of a watch dealer inventory), versus zero for pre 2000 Daytona's, Explorer's both I and II.

How many of them did you buy? They are pretty rare. I’ve personally only seen 1, but it was 2 tone. There’s a huge market for them in unpolished condition...polished crushes their value. Their cases are very unique and desirable to a subset of Rolex collectors. Last I recall they are $9k plus unpolished.


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[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by southtexas

How many of them did you buy? They are pretty rare. I’ve personally only seen 1, but it was 2 tone. There’s a huge market for them in unpolished condition...polished crushes their value. Their cases are very unique and desirable to a subset of Rolex collectors.


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2, as mentioned in previous post, and shown in photo.

I don't remember now, if the first one I saw was SS or TT.
The one I did not buy was SS, and obviously the 2 I have are SS.

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

2, as mentioned in previous post, and shown in photo.

I don't remember now, if the first one I saw was SS or TT.
The one I did not buy was SS, and obviously the 2 I have are SS.

Very cool! Do you still own them?


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[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by southtexas

Very cool! Do you still own them?


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Yes, I just took the photo, to post on this thread.
I, figured people could look at the 2, side by side, and decide if Rolex made different colors, or if one has patina and the other does not.

So, if anyone would benefit from there only being 500 of these watches it would be me. I want there to be only 500. I don't believe that is close to accurate.

When Rolex recalled the bezel on the 6542, they stated there were 605 sold in the USA. Figure another 600 for the rest of the world that would be 1200.
Think how exceedingly rare that watch is. Just no way, I could run across 4 of the 500 made and they not be in a collectors hand.

American pocket watch production is documented much better than Swiss watches. There are so many pocket watches that I have never seen that have a known production of 500, and I have been into watches for 30 years.

I still think it is rare, but, my guess is the 1530 has a much higher production, but that is just speculation.

Since Rolex won't tell, we will never know for sure how many were made.

[Wahlberg]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Drives me nuts that I cannot add photos directly on the forum website.
I had to go to Tapatalk to add.

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Never seen these before. I assume you don't wear them? I would wear most vintage watches but not these, god these look good.

[Kingface66]

Unless I’m missing something, how rare can a 1530 be when there’s several of them on Chrono right now?

https://www.chrono24.com/search/inde...ccessoryTypes=

[southtexas]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

Unless I’m missing something, how rare can a 1530 be when there’s several of them on Chrono right now?

https://www.chrono24.com/search/inde...ccessoryTypes=

I guess you’re choosing to split hairs over the definition of rare. Why? “Several for sale” makes them not rare?


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[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by southtexas

I guess you’re choosing to split hairs over the definition of rare. Why? “Several for sale” makes them not rare?


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No, no. And I get what you're saying, but if the "only 500-made" number is correct, and there's several on eBay right now and several on Chrono24 right now (and who knows where else) that seems like a fair amount for a rare watch.

[FTX I]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Drives me nuts that I cannot add photos directly on the forum website.
I had to go to Tapatalk to add.

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Fantastic pair

[MILGAUSS88]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Fantastic pair

Thanks, Flavio.

[Vlad]

Originally Posted by MILGAUSS88

Drives me nuts that I cannot add photos directly on the forum website.
I had to go to Tapatalk to add.

Sent from my moto z4 using Tapatalk

Beautiful pair!!! I have to agree, based on number of these models available for sale now and previously, 500 sounds like a very low estimate.

As far as the original color of my watches, I do believe they were both silver and then aged differently.

Vlad

[Bladeshot]

Cool thread!

OP, have your friend hang onto it. It’s a unique piece, versus the myriad of Datejust, submariner, and other Rolex we see.