Unique Watch History: Does Rolex Make Quartz Watches?

In the watchmaking world, Rolex still holds the title of one of the most popular luxury brands. However, maybe new watch enthusiasts don’t notice that the prestige brand once produced quartz watches. Though known as the self-winding mechanical watch craftsman, the Swiss brand undoubtedly explored many avenues before settling with the current pace.

This article will discuss the time when Rolex made quartz watches and how the invention evolved. Furthermore, see how Rolex quartz watches compare to Seiko. Without further ado, let's learn more about it below!

Does Rolex Make Quartz Watches?

Rolex used to make quartz watches. There was a period when the Swiss brand went through with the plan to craft battery-powered timepieces. In 1970, Rolex introduced its first quartz watch that used the Beta 21 movement. Reference 5100 produced only 1,000 pieces. To make it a luxurious item, the first-ever Rolex watch was presented in 18k white or yellow gold.

In 1977, Rolex introduced the public to its in-house quartz movements under the Oysterquartz line. Some of the watches under this line included Oysterquartz Datejust (Caliber 5035) and Oysterquartz Day-Date (Caliber 5055).

The Evolution of Rolex Quartz Watches

To understand how the first Rolex quartz watch came to be, we shall move a couple of years back to the 1960s. The Centre Electronique Horloger (CEH) proposed a quartz-powered Beta 21 caliber. At first, Rolex was reluctant to use the technology. It wasn’t until the small numbers of people showed enthusiasm for the Beta 21 that the Swiss brand decided to manufacture its first quartz timepiece.

Initially, the Beta 21 couldn’t guarantee optimal water resistance when combined with the Oyster case. To adapt to this, Rolex replanned the strategy and developed the Oysterquartz. Typical quartz movements usually have one or two jewels, but Rolex came up with 11 jewels for the Oysterquartz.

As mentioned, Rolex released the Oysterquartz line to the public in 1977. Unlike its traditional mechanical releases, the quartz watches have a distinctively angular case and integrated bracelets. It boasted an astounding accuracy, with a precision of ± 0.7 seconds per day.

The Oysterquartz 5035 featured a more aesthetically pleasing caliber than the usual quartz movements. Aside from the exceptional 11 jewels, it also has the finishing on the elements that included Geneva stripes, though unable to be seen from the caseback.

As a collection on its own, the Oysterquartz held a unique position among the other Rolex collections. The quartz watches took the established Rolex parts and incorporated them with the case design, which gave them a fresh look.

Even though Rolex made a leap with its quartz watches, the line only lasted for 24 years. During that time, the Oysterquartz went through several treatments, including adjustments in dial elements and varying bezel styles.

Fast forward to 2001: Rolex decided to put a stop to the Oysterquartz production, with the last model released around 2003. Over 20 years, the luxury brand managed to manufacture around 25,000 pieces of its quartz watches. Since then, Rolex has focused on crafting mechanical watches exclusively.

The Jewel of Rolex Quartz: The Oysterquartz

The journey to develop the first Rolex quartz watch wasn’t smooth sailing. At first, the Beta 21 couldn’t adapt to the Rolex’s Oyster case. As a result, the first model of Rolex’s quartz timepiece couldn’t guarantee optimal water resistance. This setback urged Rolex to go back to the drawing board, which resulted in the release of Oysterquartz in 1977.

As a finalized version of the trial, the Oysterquartz 5035 boasted the quartz movement with 11 jewels and could regulate itself to match the ambient temperature. In comparison, quartz movement typically only has one or two jewels. However, it doesn’t mean that the Rolex quartz movement was far superior to Seiko’s, the powerhouse of the quartz watches in the market.

Read also: Introduction of Tourbillon, Its Evolution, and How It Works

When Did Rolex Stop Manufacturing Quartz Watches?

Though officially stopped manufacturing quartz watches in 2001, the Oysterquartz collection remained in Rolex catalogs until 2003. This was a year before Rolex bought Aegler, which was known as a mechanical movement manufacturer. The decision sent a clear message that Rolex had cut the ties with the quartz movement. It marked the end of an era and the sign of Rolex fully committing as an exclusive mechanical watch manufacturer.

How Do Rolex’s Quartz Watches Compare to Seiko’s?

When discussing quartz watches, it’s only fair to put Seiko in the conversation. Before the 5035 caliber, the Beta 21 was beaten by Seiko’s in-house quartz watch, Astron. However, Rolex developed a quartz movement which operated at a frequency around four times of Seiko’s Astron by 1977. 

Ultimately, the battle between the two brands only lasted for over two decades. Today, Seiko remains a quartz watch powerhouse, while Rolex maintains its status as the exclusive mechanical watch manufacturer in the industry.

Are Quartz Watches Ugly?

The debate surrounding quartz watches often revolves around the essence of timekeeping and honoring horology traditions. While it’s true that traditional watchmaking is signified by mechanical movements, quartz is a helpful invention fitting for the modern age.

Someone who has no time to set their watch can benefit from wearing a quartz watch on their wrist to tell time accurately. Of course, quartz watches require battery replacement, typically every one to three years, but they usually last a long time. This allows the wearer to focus on other things at their hands without having to allocate the time to manage the timekeeping device to ensure time accuracy.

In this case, watch enthusiasts can consider several options of quartz watches. As explained, one of the famous brands in this sector is Seiko. To find which Seiko quartz watch is best suited to collect, check out the following recommendations from Gnomon Watches:

1. Seiko Dolce Steel

As a classic dress watch, the Seiko Dolce Steel has the graceful diameter of 33.5 mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 38.9 mm. The Seiko Cal. 8J41 quartz movement powers the watch with the accuracy of ± 10 seconds a year. As for the battery, its lifespan stands at 3 years.

Thanks to the quartz movement, Seiko Dolce Steel has a delightfully thin case, measuring only 5.3 mm. To strengthen the dressy appeal, the stunning Japanese quartz watch doesn’t put any additional features on the dial, which keeps the design minimal. From the polished dauphine to the baton hour markers, every aspect of the dial is executed most distinguishedly.

The minimalist dial is accompanied by the crown with a black onyx inlay at the 3 o’clock position. As the final complementary piece to the delicate case, the silvery white dial is paired with the 17 mm black caiman leather strap.

Price: $421.00 USD

Read also: Quartz vs Mechanical Watch: Understanding The Differences 

2. Seiko Prospex Professional 1000M Tuna

Just like most Seiko Tunas, the Seiko Prospex Professional 1000M Tuna measures 49.4 mm in diameter and 16.3 mm in thickness. For best durability, the monobloc titanium case gets the black super hard coating treatment. The monobloc design allows the watch to not have a case back, which gives it an ISO-certified 1000 m water resistance.

The Seiko Prospex Professional 1000M Tuna is powered by Seiko’s in-house high-tech quartz movement, 7C46. It’s a 7-jeweled quartz movement with high hi-torque tolerances and high efficiency. This mechanism allows the watch to enable the movement of gears and pinions, which then move and turn the hands in sync with the energy pulse without exerting kinetic effort. As a result, the watch has high accuracy and longer battery life.

Built in with Seiko's black silicone strap, the dive watch is a reliable companion for diving enthusiasts. The black strap is also soft and waterproof, which ensures utmost durability and resistance against wear and tear. Additionally, the seamless design tapers down to the tips, preventing the watch from appearing too bulky while accentuating the case.

Price: $2,279.00 USD

3. Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Black

When it comes to a chronograph watch, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Black is a worthy option to add to this list. The 316L stainless steel case has some vague resemblances to Seiko's modern 62MAS. With a 42 mm diameter, lug-to-lug distance of 48.2 mm, and 12.9 mm thickness, the watch fits snugly around the wrist without feeling overwhelming. 

Under the solid case, the chronograph watch is powered by Seiko Cal. 8A50. It’s a solar-powered quartz chronograph movement that boasts a 6-month power reserve on a full charge. Approximately, its accuracy rate is ±15 seconds a month. The pushers on the side of the case operate the chronograph feature. 

As a chronograph watch, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph Black does more than tell time. The dial houses four sub-dials, where three of them function as the chronograph counters. It has a 100 m water resistance and 4,800 A/m magnetic resistance.

Price: $616.00 USD

Final Thoughts

Quartz watches have evolved over time. While Rolex doesn’t continue to embrace the quartz technology, the other brands still utilize it to this day. Some traditional watch enthusiasts may look down on quartz watches, but active watch wearers usually don’t mind the idea and focus on the practicality.

Rolex may not choose to adopt the quartz movement any longer, but its history reveals that the luxurious Swiss brand considered the option once. Though the Oysterquartz is no longer in production, some of them still capture the attention of watch enthusiasts to this day. It’s no wonder that they’re still highly coveted.

Read also: Beginner's Guide: Different Watch Types to Get Familiar With