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Corum MOP Dial - 18K White Gold

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Details

An Expression Of 70s Materialism

During the 1970s, Corum built its reputation on treating watchmaking as a form of jewelry design. The brand focused on avant-garde shapes and exotic materials, often prioritizing aesthetic impact over pure utility. This piece is a perfect product of that philosophy, pairing a solid 18k white gold case with a lapis lazuli bezel and a quiet, iridescent mother-of-pearl dial. It is a watch born from an era where precious stones and organic textures were the height of sophisticated expression.

A Study In Purity And Form

This example stands out for its rich combination of materials. The mother-of-pearl dial is the centerpiece, accented with diamond markers at each corner. This is framed by a deep blue lapis lazuli bezel, creating a striking contrast against the cool tone of the white gold tank-style case. Paired with its original leather strap and signed gold buckle, this watch presents as a complete and honest example of Corum's distinct design language from the period.

Untouched And Well Preserved

The watch is in great cosmetic condition. Both the mother-of-pearl dial and the crystal are clean and free from any scratches or marks. The 18k white gold case remains untouched, preserving its original lines. All components, including the crown and caseback, are original to the watch. As with every watch we offer, this piece has been verified as mechanically sound and is ready to wear.

A Connection To A Different Era

This piece works for someone who values the tactile nature of a vintage, manual-wind watch. The daily ritual of winding the crown creates a physical bond with the machine, a small moment of intention that is lost with modern automatic movements. It is a subtle, elegant watch that wears comfortably and offers a connection to a time when design was daring and materials were paramount.

Key Specs

Reference: 27538

Model: Tank

Year: 1970s

Movement: Manual wind

Case Size: 26x28mm

Bezel: Lapis lazuli

Bracelet: Original leather strap

Bracelet Length: Adjustable

Dial: Mother of pearl with diamond markers

Metal: 18k white gold

SKU: 118

History

The Oyster case — waterproof, screw-down crown, winding stem sealed against moisture — was Rolex's founding innovation, patented in 1926. Add a self-winding rotor mechanism from 1931, a date window, and you have the Oyster Perpetual Date: a workhorse that has anchored the Rolex lineup for decades.

The Oysterdate references — particularly the long-running 6694 — use a manual-wind movement in the familiar 34mm Oyster case. Produced from the early 1960s through the 1980s, the 6694 is one of the most collected entry-level vintage Rolex references: honest, unpretentious, and wildly durable. Dial variations across its production run include silver sunburst, champagne, blue, and a range of patina colors that develop naturally over decades.

The automatic counterparts — references 1500, 1501, 1503, 15000, and 15037 — span the 1960s through the 1980s in steel and 14-karat yellow gold, offering the same proportions with the convenience of self-winding. These watches were made to be worn every day, and the best vintage examples wear every day of that history on their dials.