Rolex
oyster perpetual orient express - vintage cal 1560

Rolex watch vintage Oyster Perpetual in stainless steel from 1962, reference 1002, known as the Precision Arrow-Dial, with its original riveted bracelet. A 36mm mechanical model with automatic winding and chronometer certification, one of its variants being the Air-King, which later evolved with a date window to become the Datejust. A unisex collector’s watch housing the Rolex caliber 1560 with 26 jewels, one of the first in-house movements developed by Rolex and certified chronometer by the COSC in Geneva. Screw-down “Papillon” crown, silver dial naturally patinated over time to a slight sepia tone, with steel Rolex indexes and inserts. A classic collector’s piece whose production began in 1962 and ended in the late 1980s. Still popular and often worn today, it remains one of the most iconic and collectible Rolex models, highly sought-after among vintage watch enthusiasts.

Classic watch with a discreet and refined design, it was originally targeted at businessmen seeking a timepiece that was understated, elegant, and robust. With a 34 mm case, the Oyster case already offered a compact size compared to the existing range of the time. Powered by the highly desirable Rolex automatic caliber 1560 and featuring a Papillon crown. This same movement was also used in the Rolex Submariner 5512 (as indicated by the chronometer text at the bottom of the dial). The screw-down Papillon crown provided solid water resistance at the time, though today—given its age and value—we would classify it as splash-resistant only and not suitable for submersion.

With a success comparable to its twin model released at the same time, the Rolex 5500 Air-King, the Oyster Precision 1002 was frequently seen on the wrists of many notable personalities throughout the second half of the 20th century. It remains one of those Rolex collector’s watches that enthusiasts often keep for a lifetime and even pass on to loved ones. You can discover more anecdotes on our watch history page, where you'll also find details about various brands and models worn by celebrities.

Discover our pre-owned Rolex Oyster Perpetual