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Rolex OP ref. 1500 — “Wideboy”

Details
Here's a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual date reference 1500 automatic with a silver “wideboy” sunburst dial from the late 60s, early 70s. Keeps great time and is fully functional. Measurements include a 34mm oyster case and 19mm lug width. It's on its original oyster rivet bracelet that fits up to a 7.5 wrist (257 end links, 7835 bracelet) Time and non-quick date function at 3 a clock. Clean silver dial. The lume in both the hands and lume plots developed a matching patina. The dial is unusual with a “widely” look which is harder to find (the hands and hour markers are thicker than usual). Both the dial and crystal are free from any scratches are marks. Drilled lug holes. Stainless steel case and caseback. All parts are original including the signed Rolex crown, dial, movement, and caseback. Both the dial and case are in great cosmetic, untouched condition.
Key Specs
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.