Here we have a rare 1960 Rolex Oyster Perpetual, reference 1013. It has the 36mm 18ct yellow gold Oyster case, with the eye-catching fluted bezel. The dial is a bright silver with the brushed sunburst finish radiating from the centre. The hour markers are beautifully balanced with the lack of date function. The grooved batons are applied the cardinals, with the Rolex cornet logo sitting at 12. In-between are the elegant, elongated arrowhead markers with the bevel to the centre. All hour markers have the original Tritium luminous plots set to the base. The dial is signed with the ‘Rolex Oyster Perpetual’ text below 12, with the Superlative Chronometer text above 6 and ‘T Swiss T’ to the foot of the dial. The hands are the luminous baton style with the tapered central second. To the right is the Rolex Oyster screw down crown with the Cornet logo. Between the lugs the reference and model signing are visible at 12 and 6 respectively. The rear of the case has the clear Swiss hallmark to the exterior, with the clean coin edge oyster screw back. Inside it has the Rolex signing, reference signing and Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold. The movement is the Rolex calibre 1560 automatic chronometer. It has been recently serviced and is keeping time to within chronometer standards. It is presented on an 18mm dark brown crocodile Rolex strap, secured on the 18ct gold spring bars, with an uncommon big cornet logo 18ct gold buckle from the period. It is sold as watch only with no box or paperwork.
The Oyster Perpetual and the 1013
This is a true ‘if you know, you know’ reference.
The Oyster Perpetual range represents the core DNA of the Rolex offering over the last 90 years, serving as the foundation for Rolex’s modern catalogue. The model was first produced in the 1930s and has remained in continuous production for nearly a century, in a wide variety of forms. It has a dedicated following due to its consideration as the purest form of Rolex. Historically the classic variation is 34mm and stainless steel, but there exists a hidden gem amongst the range.
The 36mm Oyster Perpetuals were considered oversized and were significantly rarer their smaller brothers. Most examples were produced in stainless steel (ref 1018), but there was an 18ct gold variation, the reference 1013 we see here.
The 1013 was a low production model, so it is very exciting for us to offer this lovely example. The low production was likely due to low demand. The Rolex catalogue of the 1960s offered customers a gold Datejust or Day-Date for the same price point. Considering the inclusion of the date and day function on these models, most will have chosen them as their watch.
Ironically, it is the lack of date that makes this watch so killer. The Rolex logo is set at 12 o’clock, with the grooved batons to the cardinal points and elongated bevelled arrowhead markers in-between. Without a date window, the dial is afforded a symmetry which provides perfect balance to display the unique hour markers. This, combined with the ‘oversized’ case dimension and precious metal construction, make the reference 1013 the purists Rolex.
This example
The dial is effortlessly clean with its bright silver tone and brushed sunburst finish radiating from the centre. The minute/second markers are simple black dashes, with the grooved baton markers applied to the cardinals. The Rolex cornet logo balances neatly with these, sitting at 12 o’clock. Inbetween are the elongated arrowhead markers with the bevel to the centre. To the base of the markers are the Tritium luminous plots, which have aged to a cream tone and are well formed for the age. It has the black signing to the centre. To the foot of the dial is the ‘T Swiss T’ signing. The yellow gold tone hands are the baton style with the bevel to the centre. They are infilled with the original Tritium luminous which has aged to the same cream tone as the plots on the hour markers. The central second hand has an elegant taper.
The classic Oyster case is formed of 18ct yellow gold and measures 36mm wide. Surrounding the dial is the fluted bezel which playfully interacts with the light. The lugs are the tapered design with brushed finish and the subtle downturn towards the wrist. Contrasting this is the polished finish to the sides of the case. To the right-hand side is the gold Oyster crown which has the Rolex cornet logo to the face, which screws down well, with a strong thread. Between the lugs at 12 o’clock the reference number is visible, with the serial number between 6 o’clock. The rear of the case has the brushed finish, with the Swiss hallmark well defined to one of the lugs. The case back is the classic Oyster screw back with the brushed finish to the face and the sharp coin edge. Inside it is signed with the Rolex logo, the reference 1013 and the Swiss hallmarking for 18ct gold with the head of Helvetia. It has the Geneva key No.12 which is for the case maker Genex, who were a quality maker of gold Oyster cases for Rolex.
The movement is the Rolex calibre 1560, which is chronometer grade. It is an automatic movement with the bi-directional rotor which has a jewel count of 25. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of under 5 seconds per day.
The watch is presented on a dark brown Rolex crocodile strap which is 18mm wide, leaving a little gap (Another strap can be provided with the watch if desired). It is secured on the watch by the Gold Rolex springbars. The buckle is an uncommon design from the late 1950s, which has the big cornet logo, formed of 18ct gold.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in excellent condition. The silver tone is bright and even. There are no scratches or marks to the dial. The hour markers have a good shine and only slight corrosion spots.
Hands:
The hands are original and are in good condition with only light scratching to the surface. The luminous in-fill is original.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is a new old stock Rolex replacement, genuine, original and in perfect condition.
Crown:
The yellow gold Oyster crown is original and is in good condition for the age. It has the clear knurled edge and engraving to the face. It has only light scratching.
Case:
The case is 18ct yellow gold and is in good condition. It has had the finish re-brushed in the past, but this has been well done with the lugs well shaped and hallmarking to the rear clearly defined. The fluted bezel is clean and reactive with only light marking. The sides of the case have the polished finish with light marking. There are some dints to the top of the lugs. The reference and serial numbers between the lugs are visible but are less defined with age. The rear of the case has some marking to the lugs associated with strap or bracelet removal. The case back is in good condition with sharp coin edge and brushed finish.
Strap:
The watch is presented on a dark brown Rolex crocodile strap which is 18mm wide, leaving a little gap. It will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter.
Movement:
The movement is the Rolex calibre 1560, which is automatic and chronometer grade. It has been recently serviced and has a daily variation of under 5 seconds per day, with an amplitude of 300 degrees and a beat error of 0.1m/s.
Case dimensions
Case width: 35.5mm
Case width with crown: 35.5mm
Case length: 33mm
Case length lug to lug: 40.5mm
Case depth: 9.3mm
Lug width: 19mm