Since the dawn of time, watch collectors have always come to agreement that 18K Gold is the #1 gold alloy for any watch.

I'm here to propose that this is NOT the case, at least, not for vintage watches.

You might ask yourself, "But why?" 18K gold has a higher gold content and if it's manufactured by competent jewelers and watchmakers, be resilient as hell.

On top of all that, it won't tarnish!

That's where the difference lies, the tarnish... Or patina, if you're fancy.

Us here at Grego & Co. truly admire and see the beauty in 14K patina. The reddish hues that turn to a deep purple is something to behold. And just like any tropical dial or pumpkin hands, It's one-of-a-kind.

This Rolex OP 1002 is a prime example of that. The bezel, the bracelet, right down to the hands have that beautiful rose-y patina.

This is definitely a piece you cannot pass up.

We all know the name Rolex, a name synonymous with luxury and precision in timekeeping. It was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf, a German entrepreneur, in London. Wilsdorf's dream was to create reliable wristwatches at a time when pocket watches were the norm. His focus on precision quickly paid off when a Rolex watch received a Class A precision certificate from the Kew Observatory in 1914, a distinction normally reserved for marine chronometers.

In 1919, the economic aftermath of World War I led Rolex to relocate its headquarters to Geneva, Switzerland, a city renowned for watchmaking. This move marked the beginning of the brand's ascension to a symbol of excellence in the watchmaking industry. The innovation that Rolex would bring to the market over the next several decades cemented its status as a leader in the field.

In 1926, Rolex introduced the "Oyster," the world's first waterproof and dustproof wristwatch, marked by its hermetically sealed case. The Oyster's fame soared in 1927 when a young swimmer, Mercedes Gleitze, swam across the English Channel wearing it. The watch remained in perfect working order after more than ten hours in the water, which was a testament to its robustness and a pivotal moment in Rolex's history, heralding the Oyster's aquatic legacy.

The 1930s saw the advent of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, which incorporated a self-winding movement using a Perpetual rotor. This technology was a pioneering development in wristwatches and remains at the core of every modern automatic watch.

Rolex's dedication to precision and durability led to the creation of professional watches in the 1950s, designed for specific activities. The Submariner, introduced in 1953, was one of the world's first diving watches, waterproof to a depth of 100 meters initially and then improved to 300 meters. Similarly, the Rolex Explorer was created to withstand extreme conditions and was famously linked to Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay's historic ascent of Mount Everest in 1953.

The brand's commitment to excellence was further exemplified by the development of the GMT-Master in 1955, designed to meet the needs of international pilots, and the Day-Date in 1956, the first watch to spell out the day of the week.

Throughout the 20th century, Rolex continued to innovate, launching the Sea-Dweller in 1967, capable of reaching depths of 610 meters, and later, 3,900 meters with the Deepsea model. Rolex has also had a longstanding relationship with motorsport, exemplified by the introduction of the Rolex Daytona in 1963, a watch that became iconic among racing enthusiasts.

Rolex’s quest for excellence has transcended technological achievements. The brand has engaged in numerous philanthropic activities, established prestigious sponsorships in yachting, golf, tennis, and equestrianism, and supports the arts and exploration through its various awards and initiatives.

Today, Rolex watches are symbols of elegance, achievement, and reliability. The brand maintains its commitment to quality and precision under the vision of the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, which was established after Wilsdorf's death in 1960 to ensure the company remained independent and dedicated to its founder's principles.

The history of Rolex is a blend of visionary entrepreneurship, technical innovation, and a relentless pursuit of precision and excellence. The brand has grown to be synonymous with timeless luxury and has firmly established itself as a status symbol and a benchmark of quality in the watchmaking world.

• Model: Rolex Oyster Perpetual 

• Reference: 1002

• Year: 1974

• Dial Color: Cream

• Style: Sports

• Strap: Original Two Tone Tapered Oyster Bracelet w/ Signed Clasp

• Sizing: Fits up to 7.25" Wrist

• Box: No

• Papers: No

• Other Accessories: None
  

This watch was acquired through a private auction and previous owner information is unknown.

The hands, dial, case, and bracelet are all original and appear to be unpolished due to the patination of the 14k gold on the bracelet and bezel, which have aged evenly and beautifully.

There is no service history on this watch but our professional watchmaker has successfully serviced and overhauled the movement to COSC standards.

• Case Size: 34.0mm

• Lug Width: 18.0mm

• Lug to Lug: 42.5mm

• Thickness: 11.0mm

• Case Material: Stainless Steel

• Bezel Material: Base Metal

• Case Back Material: Stainless Steel

• Bracelet Material: Rubber

• Crystal: Bubble Acrylic Crystal

• Luminescence: Tritium

• Manufacturer: Zodiac

• Caliber: Zodiac 70-72

• Country: Switzerland

• Movement Type:  Automatic w/ Date Display

• Jewels: 17

• Power Reserve: ~40 Hours