THE ESSENTIALS

MAKE: ROLEX
MODEL: 17000A
YEAR: 1999
BOX/PAPERS: NO/NO
CASE DIAMETER: 36mm
CASE MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
BRACELET MATERIAL: STAINLESS STEEL
MOVEMENT: QUARTZ

If you close your eyes and picture a 70s-designed integrated bracelet steel sports watch, the first thing that probably comes to mind is an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak or a Patek Philippe Nautilus—and understandably so. However, Rolex also made a watch that fits this exact criteria, and in our humble opinion, it's one of the coolest designs the brand has ever produced.

The Oysterquartz Datejust, first introduced in 1977, was Rolex's answer to the quartz crisis, alongside efforts from other top Swiss watch manufacturers. This bold yet sleek integrated bracelet watch stands apart from the brand’s other models, featuring an angular silhouette with sharp bevels and chamfers. Avant-garde by Rolex's standards, it was not an instant hit, and although it remained in the Rolex lineup until around 2001, production numbers were significantly lower than its automatic counterparts—only about 1,000 units per year left the factory.

A few decades later, however, watch enthusiasts have finally recognised this hidden gem, and Oysterquartz models are now getting the attention they deserve. The Genta-esque integrated bracelet design remains a unicorn in Rolex’s history.

The present example, ref. 17000A, dates back to 1999 and has lived a remarkably easy life. The case is unpolished, with factory-brushed and polished surfaces still clearly visible. The original caseback sticker remains intact, and the original U-dated integrated bracelet has negligible stretch. The dial is spotless, with all of its tritium lume perfectly preserved.

It’s no secret that we love the Oysterquartz here at Fathom, and this example is as good as any we've seen over the years.