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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 Wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date stainless steel wristwatch, reference 1500, dated by the source to 1970 based on serial number 2265531. The watch has a 34mm stainless steel case with a smooth bezel, screw-down crown, and acrylic crystal over a dark blue dial. The dial features applied baton hour markers, tritium luminous dots, polished steel hands, and a date window at 3 o'clock magnified by an acrylic cyclops lens. The auction house reports it houses a Rolex Calibre 1570 26-jewel automatic movement and is fitted with a replacement stainless steel Jubilee bracelet reference 62510H dated to 1985.

Front view of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 with blue dial and Jubilee bracelet
Front view of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 with blue dial and Jubilee bracelet — Clarke Auction Gallery, Inc.. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.invaluable.com
Category
Wristwatch · Automatic wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
1500
Catalogue / lot identifier
640
Source-reported date
1970
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2265531

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Case and External Construction

The object is a Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date, reference 1500, featuring a 34mm stainless steel case. The exterior includes a smooth bezel and an acrylic crystal. The caseback is identified as a Rolex stainless steel 1500 component.

The watch is fitted with a stainless steel five-piece Jubilee bracelet, reference 62510H, which the auction house identifies as a replacement. The bracelet includes 574 end links and a flip-lock clasp. The source indicates a J2 production date code for the bracelet, which it maps to February 1985.

Evidence for this section
  • “34mm stainless steel case, a Rolex stainless steel 1500 caseback, acrylic crystal, smooth bezel”
  • “fitted with a REPLACEMENT stainless steel five-piece Jubilee bracelet, Ref. No. 62510H”
  • “The production date code, J2, indicates February 1985.”

Dial and Visual Features

The watch features a blue dial with applied baton hour markers and Tritium luminous dots. The hands are high-polished steel, including a sweep seconds hand.

A date aperture is located at 3 o'clock, featuring an acrylic cyclops lens. The condition report notes losses to the dial and lume, as well as scratches to the crystal.

Evidence for this section
  • “blue dial, applied baton hour markers over Tritium "T Swiss Made T" lume applique dots”
  • “high polished steel hands, and a high polished steel sweep seconds hand”
  • “losses to dial”
  • “loss to lume”
  • “scratches to crystal”

Movement and Reported Specifications

The movement is identified by the source as a Rolex Calibre 1570, a 26-jewel automatic movement with a reported 48-hour power reserve. The movement and inner caseback were not visible in the provided auction imagery.

The manufacture year is cited as 1970 based on the provided serial number 2265531. Condition notes specify that the watch was running prior to the auction, and that the gasket must be replaced.

Evidence for this section
  • “Powered by a fine Swiss-made Rolex Cal. 1570, 26 jewel automatic movement”
  • “manufactured in 1970 (based on the serial number: 2265531)”
  • “gasket must be replaced”

Open research questions

  • Does the serial number 2265531 definitively align with 1970 production?
  • What is the extent of the reported dial and luminous material losses?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Ref. 1500 Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Reference1500“Ref. #1500”
Serial number2265531“serial number: 2265531”
Movement calibre1570“Rolex Cal. 1570, 26 jewel automatic movement”
Case diameter34mm“34mm stainless steel case”
Bracelet reference62510H“Ref. No. 62510H”
Lug width19mm“Lugs measure approx. 19mm.”
Wrist fitUp to approximately 5.75 inches“This watch will currently fit up to an approx. 5.75" wrist.”

Visible details

  • Dark blue dial with date aperture at 3 o'clock magnified by an acrylic cyclops
  • Fitted with a five-piece stainless steel Jubilee bracelet
  • Smooth polished bezel surrounding the crystal
  • Applied baton hour markers with aged luminous material

Research qualifications

  • The Jubilee bracelet is identified by the catalog as a replacement with a 1985 production date code
  • Movement and inner caseback are unverified visually as they are not shown in the lot image
  • Condition notes state light scratches, marred caseback, lume loss, dial losses, and a gasket requiring replacement

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

At Auction: JEWELRY Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date Stainless 1500

Reviewed 2026-10-25 · Record f6f139c4d2

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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