Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1010
Oyster Perpetual → 1010
The Oyster Perpetual 1010 is a time-only, center-seconds watch with a smooth bezel. Five auction records cover ref. 1010 and its joint listings with ref. 1011, dated 1960 to circa 1968; three identify ref. 1010 individually.
Core facts
| detail | value |
|---|---|
| reference | 1010 |
| family | Oyster Perpetual |
| dated examples | Antiquorum’s joint 1010/1011 entries: 1960 and 1962; lots catalogued as ref. 1010: circa 1962, circa 1967 and circa 1968 |
| case diameter | 33mm in Antiquorum’s joint 1010/1011 entries and Heritage’s 1010; Bonhams lists 33.5mm for its 1010 |
| case materials | Antiquorum reports steel and 14k/18k pink or yellow gold for the 1010/1011 pair; the individual 1010 lots reviewed here are listed in yellow gold |
| bezel | Polished, smooth bezel; Antiquorum contrasts it with the faceted bezel on ref. 1011 |
| crystal | Acrylic on Heritage’s circa-1962 example |
| movement | Cal. 1560 in Antiquorum’s joint 1010/1011 entries dated 1960 and 1962, and in 1010 lots dated circa 1962 and circa 1967; cal. 1570 in an Antiquorum 1010 dated circa 1968 |
| display | Time only, with center seconds |
| case and crown | Screw-down back and crown in catalogue descriptions |
Where it sits in the line
Antiquorum describes ref. 1010 as the smooth-bezel counterpart to ref. 1011, which has a faceted bezel. Its 2006 catalogue says collectors call the pair “Bombay.”
Production outline
Antiquorum’s joint 1010/1011 lots date cases 576171 and 933961 to 1960 and 1962; their photographs omit the between-lugs stamps. Heritage, Bonhams and Antiquorum’s 2020 lot identify ref. 1010 individually, dating cases 646320, 1659430 and 1,960,000 to circa 1962, circa 1967 and circa 1968. The five sale dates anchor individual watches; production endpoints remain unknown.
Movement notes
Antiquorum lists caliber 1560 in its 1960 and 1962 entries, both catalogued jointly as 1010/1011. Heritage and Bonhams list caliber 1560 in individually identified 1010s dated circa 1962 and circa 1967; Antiquorum lists caliber 1570 in its individually identified circa-1968 1010. The Vintage Rolex Field Manual gives caliber 1560 for ref. 1010. The catalogue sample records both calibers but leaves the changeover year open. See the movement index.
Dial map
Antiquorum’s jointly catalogued 1010/1011 lot from 1960 has a matte silver dial with applied gold baton and dart markers, luminous dots and dauphine hands; the catalogue marks it restored. Antiquorum’s 2009 joint entry describes a satin silver dial with gold batons and luminous dauphine hands. Heritage’s circa-1962 ref. 1010 has a silver dial, gold dart markers and black minute marks. Bonhams records a sunburst champagne dial with gilt batons and black accents on its circa-1967 1010. Antiquorum’s circa-1968 ref. 1010 has a gold-color dial.
Case, bezel, crystal, and crown
Antiquorum describes three-piece cases, screwed-down backs and crowns, concave or shaped lugs, and a polished bezel in its two joint 1010/1011 lots. They measure 33mm across and 11–11.5mm thick. Bonhams calls the circa-1967 1010 lugs faceted and gives a 33.5mm diameter. Heritage lists a 33mm case, curved lugs, acrylic crystal and Twinlock crown for its circa-1962 1010. These are catalogue specifications for the individual lots.
Bracelets, clasps, and packaging
The two Antiquorum photos show the joint-listed watches on leather straps; Heritage, Bonhams and Antiquorum’s 2020 listing describe leather or calfskin straps on individually listed 1010s. Four lot descriptions name Rolex buckles. These are sale configurations; original delivery remains unverified. Antiquorum’s circa-1968 lot included a fitted box, booklet and hang tag. Heritage lists a vintage box, guarantee papers, a pamphlet and chronometer papers with its circa-1962 example.
Auction record
| date | house and lot | configuration | result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2006 | Antiquorum Geneva, The Mondani Collection, lot 22 | 18k yellow gold, cal. 1560, case 576171; dated 1960; listed as 1010/1011 | CHF 7,670 |
| Mar 2009 | Antiquorum Geneva, lot 465 | 14k yellow gold, cal. 1560, case 933961; dated 1962; listed as 1010/1011 | Not stated |
| Dec 2010 | Heritage Auctions New York, lot 60215 | 14k yellow gold, cal. 1560, case 646320; circa 1962 | Not sold |
| Apr 2015 | Bonhams London, lot 315 | 14k yellow gold, cal. 1560, case 1659430; circa 1967 | Not stated |
| Nov 2020 | Antiquorum Hong Kong, lot 19 | 18k yellow gold, cal. 1570, case 1,960,000; circa 1968 | HKD 37,500 |
Gallery
-
Antiquorum, 2020: ref. 1010, case 1,960,000, circa 1968 -
Antiquorum, 2009: case 933961, joint 1010/1011 listing
Sources
- "Antiquorum, The Mondani Collection, lot 22 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1010/1011, case 576171", Antiquorum, 2006-05-14
- "Antiquorum Geneva lot 465 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1010/1011, case 933961", Antiquorum, 2009-03-29
- "Bonhams Fine Watches and Wristwatches lot 315 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1010, case 1659430", Bonhams, 2015-04-23
- "Antiquorum Hong Kong lot 19 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1010, case 1,960,000", Antiquorum, 2020-11-29
- "Heritage Auctions New York lot 60215 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1010, case 646320", Heritage Auctions, 2010-12-04
- The Vintage Rolex Field Manual — Oyster Perpetual reference table, entry 1010 — Colin A. White, Morning Tundra
- "Antiquorum The Mondani Collection lot 45 — Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1011, case 546423", Antiquorum, 2006-05-14