Electronic love

[JoJo35]

For those who appreciate the true history of Rolex, you may enjoy this as much as I did. After finding a NOS Seamaster f300 Electronic practically by accident, I became intrigued with the early electronic advancements of the major watch manufacturers in the sixties and the early seventies. What began with the Accutron 214 , which was used by Omega for their f300 series, soon morphed toward the megasonic, and ultimately the most accurate watch, the Marine Chronometer.

Eventually, the quartz movement took over, since manufacturing cost, serviceability, and overall accuracy of the quartz movement was found to be superior.

Rolex realized the change in the market (after all, it was still the new age of "electronics"), and soon developed the 5035/5055.

The following is quoted from Oysterquartz.net:

"Rolex recognized that two key elements to superior accuracy in quartz timekeeping would be needed in their new quartz movement: A higher frequency oscillator and some means to negate the effects of temperature change on the stability of the oscillator. Consequently, the oscillator used in the 5035/5055 was four times as fast as that used in the Beta 21 and the module was one of the first quartz movements to utilize analog thermo-compensation. Oscillator stability over a wide temperature range was accomplished through the use of a thermistor to sense ambient temperature. Data from this sensor is sent to the electronic control module which then regulates the voltage to the quartz crystal, adjusting its rate accordingly. In addition, a rate trimmer is employed on the circuit board which enables the movement to be manually "fine tuned" during Rolex's notoriously rigid internal testing and adjustment, something every Rolex movement goes through before being sent to the COSC for "official" chronometer certification. The rate trimmer also allows for manual adjustment when the movement is serviced to compensate for the frequency drift that comes with the aging of the quartz crystal.

Approximately eighteen months after the Oysterquartz was introduced the quartz crystal used in the oscillator circuit was changed to a tuning fork shape. The earlier movements were known internally at Rolex as Mark I movements, while the later ones with the new shape quartz crystal were known as Mark II movements. The Mark I 5035 Datejust movements were never submitted to the COSC for chronometer certification, which accounts for the absence of "Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified" on the dials of the very early Oysterquartz Datejust models.

Everything about the design and construction of the 5035/5055 module shows that Rolex intended this movement to be a "lifetime" movement, designed to be serviceable and serviced just like their mechanical movements. In fact, apart from the electronics and the pulse motor, the "mechanics" of the 5035 are the same as the 3035 automatic movement that was also introduced in 1977 and used in the Submariner and other Date/Datejust models for over a decade.

The drive mechanism for the 5035/5055 is very similar to the design of a traditional mechanical watch escapement. The pulse motor drives a pallet fork which in turn moves a pallet wheel. This wheel drives the second hand at a 1:1 ratio with one tick per second. The hour and minute hands are driven off this pallet wheel. The loud "tick" you hear every second are the pallets engaging the pallet wheel. That is why the tick of the 5035/5055 has such a unique sound and is very much like the tick of a mechanical watch, though at one tick per second rather than the eight ticks per second of a 28,800 bph Rolex Perpetual movement. This drive mechanism also ensures the second hand steps around the dial smartly with zero backlash since the hand is effectively locked in place by the pallet fork in between each beat.

Even though the technology of quartz wristwatch timekeeping has moved beyond that found in the 5035/5055, this movement still remains one of the most "over-engineered" quartz movements ever produced and clearly carries on the Rolex tradition of solid engineering, superb finishing, and understated beauty. Advancements in technology have yielded quartz modules with superior accuracy, but when it debuted, the 5035/5055 only had one true rival from a technological standpoint: the 2.4Mhz Omega 1516 movement used in their famous Marine Chronometer wristwatches of the mid 70s. But from the standpoint of "build quality" and finish (anglage, perlage, and Geneva stripes), the 5035/5055 still reigns supreme, something that is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.

5035 Specifications:

32,768Hz VCTCXO Quartz Module

Integrated circuit: CMOS

Temperature compensation: Yes

Rate trimmer: Yes

Power source: UCAR 357 silveroxide battery, 1.55v

Width: 29.75mm

Height: 6.5mm

11 jewels

Antimagnetic: Yes, to 1000 Oersted

Hacking: Yes

Quick set date: Yes

5055 Specifications:

32,768Hz VCTCXO Quartz Module

Integrated circuit: CMOS

Temperature compensation: Yes

Rate trimmer: Yes

Power source: UCAR 357 silveroxide battery, 1.55v

Width: 29.75mm

Height: 7.1mm

11 jewels

Antimagnetic: Yes, to 1000 Oersted

Hacking: Yes

Quick set day-date: Yes

I had been searching for an Oysterquartz for quite a while, and recently found one, circa 1980, all original and in beautiful condition. I hope all of those reading this will find the subject as fascinating as I did. Although Rolex is certainly well known for their mechanical movements, the quartz movements produced by Rolex certainly deserve recognition.

[By-Tor]

Wow... OQ is actually very sought after Rolex among the collectors these days.

That is quite something, really. You might be the first RWG member who owns it.

What makes this watch much nicer than a standard Precision/AirKing/Datejust is the bracelet. It's really special and makes this watch unique looking.

Congrats for this rare beauty. You can be sure that it's a good investment too.

PS: I have read the whole Oysterquartz.com site through and through. Very nice articles and pictures.

[JoJo35]

Thanks By-Tor. I agree that these are definitely good investments, and certainly good looking watches with a unique history. IMO, definitely worth adding to a collection

[stilty]

what a fantastic addition to your collection! I think I need to make my way out for another GTG!

[By-Tor]

Hey JoJo... you forgot the wrist shot.

PS: Went back to oysterquartz.net and read lots of the stuff again. Great and very informative site.

[redwatch]

Wow Jojo! That is a stunning find! It looks to be in superb condition! Very nice!

[freddy333]

Great score, JoJo.

[Slartibartfast]

Superb choice. This model can only appreciate in value. A good investment piece IMO.

[bristolmarc]

Excellent post, I am a huge fan of the Oysterquartz and have been looking for one, at the right price, for sometime. However whilst on my voyage to find such a beast I came accross another little gem. Check out my thread to see the similarities with the benefit of a automatic movement!

of by the way...awesome example JoJo

[Shundi]

Nicely done... I own a 70s Omega MC however I've been looking into these OysterQuartz models lately- great movements and as you said, the fit and finish are superb.