
Wristwatches · Wristwatch
Rolex Oyster-Perpetual (Ref. 1002) Grey Sigma Dial, 1975
- Maker / attribution
- Rolex (maker)
- Date
- 1975
- Historical period
- Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
- Country of origin
- Switzerland
- Object type
- Wristwatch
- Stock no.
- RLXOP1002-5
- Credit line
- Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (RLXOP1002-5)
- Catalogue title (original)
- 1975 Rolex Oyster-Perpetual (Ref. 1002) Grey Sigma Dial (English)
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Record summary
Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number RLXOP1002-5), this is a wristwatch by Rolex, made in Switzerland, dated 1975. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) 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 Sigma dial is a Rolex dial named for the letters printed at the bottom of the dial at the 6 o'clock position. Most Rolex dials are commonly marked with “T Swiss T,” under the 6 o'clock marker, however, a Sigma dial is marked “σ T SWISS T σ.” This signifies the use of gold components within the dial. This Rolex Oyster-Perpetual would make a great start for a new vintage collector, or be a great addition to an expanding collection as a daily driver and would provide a classic feel while bringing a unique look while worn on the wrist. SPECS Stock # RLXOP1002-5 Brand Rolex Style Oyster-Perpetual Model 1002 Serial 16XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial Grey "Sigma" Millimeters 34 Bracelet Rolex 78350 Oyster Bracelet W/ 557 End Pieces CASE & BRACELET The polished case retains symmetrical lugs and shows light signs of use. The smooth stainless steel bezel exhibits light signs of use as well. The Rolex 78350 Oyster bracelet with 557 end pieces has also been polished and retains 11 links that display very minimal stretch from use. DIAL & HANDS The grey sunburst "Sigma" dial is in wonderful condition display no blemishes and almost no age. The tritium lume plots have taken on a handsome creamy coloration and show no degradation under U.V. light inspection. The original tritium hands have aged a shade darker than the dial and exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light. ACCESSORIES None. The watch is keeping time and functioning perfectly, previous service history is unknown.
Historical context
Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)
Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.
Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.
Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology
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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