
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster-Perpetual Date (Ref. 1500) "Swiss" Only Arabic Dial, 1960
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex (maker)
- Date
- 1960
- Historical period
- Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- RLXOP1500-60
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (RLXOP1500-60)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1960 Rolex Oyster-Perpetual Date (Ref. 1500) "SWISS" Only Arabic Dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number RLXOP1500-60), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated 1960. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.
Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.
Catalogue description
Dealer description — Craft & Tailored
A gorgeous example of early 1960s watchmaking, this 1960 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 is a stunning classic. The white "SWISS" only dial with Arabic 6 and 9 o'clock markers, dauphine hands, and stretch rivet bracelet is the perfect combination to fulfill your needs for a classic 1960s timepiece. This unique and somewhat rare piece would make a great start for a new vintage collector, or be a great addition to an expanding collection. Providing a classic feel while bringing a unique look while on the wrist. SPECS Stock # RLXOP1500-60 Brand Rolex Style Oyster-Perpetual Date Model 1500 Serial 55XXXX Size Men's Material SS Dial Silver Arabic Millimeters 34 Bracelet Rolex "U.S.A Made" C+I Stretch Rivet Bracelet CASE & BRACELET The excellent case appears to have been lightly polished in the past retaining thick and even lugs showing very little wear. The smooth stainless steel bezel has been previously lightly polished and exhibits soft wear remaining in overall excellent condition. The Rolex C+I stretch bracelet is in wonderful condition showing little wear and no stretch from use. DIAL & HANDS This rare and unique silver Oyster-Perpetual "SWISS" only dial with Arabic 6 and 9 o'clock markers has a great vintage look and feel. The radium lume plots remain fully intact showing no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original dauphine style radium hands are in great condition and exhibit no degradation or lume loss under U.V. light inspection. The blued steel sweep-seconds hand is in excellent condition as well. The metallic date wheel is era correct with open 6's and 9's. ACCESSORIES None. Watch is running at spec, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)
Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.
The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking
Atlas type guide
Dive and water-resistant watches
Keeping water and dust out of a wristwatch was a long-standing challenge. Rolex's screw-down Oyster case (1926) and Omega's Marine (1932) were landmarks; in the early 1950s Blancpain's Fifty Fathoms and Rolex's Submariner defined the professional dive watch with rotating bezels for timing dives, luminous dials and high water resistance. The ISO 6425 standard (1982) later codified what a 'diver's watch' must do.
Dive watches became icons of post-war design and exploration, and their evolution — helium escape valves, ceramic bezels, saturation-diving depth ratings — records the history of underwater work.
What to look for
- Unidirectional or bidirectional rotating bezel with minute markings.
- Screw-down crown and case back; depth rating printed on the dial.
- Luminous hands and markers (radium before c. 1960, tritium c. 1960–1998, then Super-LumiNova).
- Reference numbers on the case between the lugs or inside the back.
Dating clues
- Screw-down Oyster cases: from 1926.
- Professional dive watches: from 1953.
- Tritium 'T' marks on dials: c. 1960–1998.
General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.
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