For sale we have a Rolex model which has become more appreciated in recent years. This is a 1971 Rolex Oysterdate Precision reference 6694. It has a 34mm Steel Oyster case, with a clean silver sunburst dial and date function. It is a manual wind model with the calibre 1225 movement. It comes on a Steel folded link Rolex bracelet. 
 
The silver satin dial has a classic sunburst finish, radiating from the centre. The hour markers are mirror polished facetted batons, with flat frosted finish 6 and 9 o’clock markers. The Rolex cornet sits proudly at 12 O’clock with the date window balanced at 3 O’clock. To the base of the hour markers are the original aged Tritium lume plots. The signing is crisp and simple on the dial. There is slight speckled patination in two areas on the dial, where the watch shows its age slightly. 
The sword style hands are original and have luminous insert to the centre which is original and has aged. The sweep second hand is also original. These, and the dial, are protected by the acrylic crystal with cyclops magnifier. 
 
The Stainless Oyster case measures 34.5mm, 1.5mm smaller than the Datejust. This may seem on the smaller side, but with a lug-to-lug measurement of 42mm, this case still has significant wrist presence. It has the brushed finish to the top, with polished bezel and polished sides. The Oyster crown is original and in good condition with cornet logo, screwing down as it should. The case back is the classic oyster design with coin edge finish. Inside it is signed with the reference 6694, with the date stamp I.71. 
 
The movement is the Rolex calibre 1225. It is manual wind with a jewel count of 17. It has a date function and a sweep second hand. It has Kif-Ultraflex shock protection, with Kif-Duofix settings for the escape wheel. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 BPH. It has a 58 hour power reserve. It has been serviced and is keeping time to within 10 seconds variation a day.
 
The watch is presented on Stainless Steel folded link Rolex bracelet. The clasp indicates that it is a service replacement from 1995. It will fit up to a 7.5” wrist diameter.
 
The reference 6694 has historically been underrated and under-valued, although the tide has turned. There is a romanticism and connection provided by the manual wind movement, with the need for daily interaction to wind. The 34.5mm case is compact, which also makes this a very comfortable watch to wear daily. 
 
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
 
Dial: 
The silver satin dial is original and has some speckled patination. It has a sunburst finish radiation from the centre. The signing is good and clear. The hour markers are good, with little corrosion and a good shine. There is speckled ageing to the dial at 6 O’clock and 1-2 O’clock. The lume plots to the base of the numerals are intact and original. 
 
Hands: 
The hands are original of luminous sword design, in a silver tone. They are in good condition with little sign of corrosion on the hour and minute hand. The lume in-fill is original. The second hand is original. 
 
Glass: 
The acrylic crystal is a recent replacement which is in perfect condition. 
 
Crown: 
The Rolex crown is original and in good condition, functioning as it should, screwing down well.
 
Case:
The case is formed of Stainless Steel and is in average condition with light surface scratching. It is in original condition, not having been polished. The brushed finish on the top is good, with polished finish to the sides. The sides have noticeable marking, although none is deep. The lugs are well shaped with little signs of wear to the drilled lugs. The polished steel bezel has marking associated with age.  
 
Caseback:
The case back is stainless steel and is in good condition. The polished finish is original and has light surface scratching associated with ageing. The coin edge is in good condition, with no obvious signs of poor opening. 
 
Strap: 
The watch comes on a genuine Rolex folded link service bracelet from 1995. It is in average condition with scratching associated with age. It remains un-polished. It will fit up to a 7.5’ wrist diameter.
 
Movement: 
The movement is a Rolex calibre 1225. It is manual wind with a jewel count of 17. It has a date function and a sweep second hand. It has Kif-Ultraflex shock protection, with Kif-Duofix settings for the escape wheel. It operates at a frequency of 21,600 BPH. It has a 58 hour power reserve.
 
The movement was serviced by its previous owner. It’s keeping time to within +8 seconds deviation a day, with an amplitude of 270 degrees and a beat error of 1.0m/s.
 
Case dimensions:
Case width: 34.5mm
Case width with crown: 37.25mm
Case length: 33.5mm
Lug to lug: 42mm
Depth: 11.25mm
Lug width: 19mm