Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1026

Yellow-gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1026 with an engraved bezel and champagne dial — Oyster Perpetual ref. 1026 described by Bachmann & Scher, item A21745, 1966.

Ref. 1026 is a time-only, automatic Oyster Perpetual. Two dealer listings describe 34 mm yellow-gold watches dated circa 1963 and 1966. A separate collector comment reports a 34 mm example from 1967.

Core facts

Item	Evidence
Reference	1026
Model	Oyster Perpetual, time-only
Dated examples	circa 1963 and 1966 in dealer listings; a collector reports 1967
Case	34 mm; the two dealer examples are described as 18K yellow gold
Movement	Cal. 1560 in one dealer listing; a parts supplier also lists 1570 for the reference
Crystal	Plexiglas on one listing; parts table lists 25-12 for 1026 and 1026-8
Bracelet	Gold stretch-rivet Oyster bracelet on one listing; leather strap on another

Where it sits in the line

The 1026 sits in the time-only Oyster Perpetual group, alongside refs. 1023, 1024, and 1025. Both listed dealer examples have yellow-gold cases.

Production outline

Matthew Bain dates its example to circa 1963, Bachmann & Scher dates another to 1966, and a Reddit commenter reports their own 1026 as a 1967 watch. These are dates for three individual examples.

Movement notes

Matthew Bain lists Cal. 1560 in its circa-1963 example. Time Connection II's parts table lists 1560/1570 for ref. 1026 and 1560 for 1026-8. That is replacement-parts data; it does not document a 1570 inside a 1026 or a changeover. Bachmann & Scher gives no caliber, and neither dealer set shows an open movement.

Dial map

Matthew Bain describes a champagne dial with faceted stick markers and Dauphine hands. Bachmann & Scher describes a beige/champagne dial without luminous material. The two listings give examples, not a complete factory dial list.

Beige/champagne dial on the Bachmann & Scher example, item A21745
Dial printing and minute track on the same example

Case, bezel, crystal, and crown

Matthew Bain calls the textured bezel on its watch “Chine” and describes a fine crosshatched pattern. Bachmann & Scher describes an engraved bezel on a separate example. These are the sellers' terms; the records do not establish factory option names or the full bezel range. Bachmann & Scher identifies Plexiglas and a screw-down crown on its example. Time Connection II lists a 25-12 acrylic crystal for both 1026 and 1026-8.

Angled view of the textured bezel on Matthew Bain's example, item 28122
Crown and case flank on the same watch
Engraved bezel described by Bachmann & Scher, item A21745

Bracelets, end links, clasps, and packaging

Matthew Bain describes a gold stretch-rivet Oyster bracelet on its example and calls it original, with a date in the clasp. Bachmann & Scher shows its watch on a leather strap with a buckle. These are individual configurations; the listings do not establish original delivery or standard bracelet fitment.

Gold stretch-rivet bracelet described by Matthew Bain
Clasp on the same bracelet
Leather strap on the Bachmann & Scher example

Gallery

Bachmann & Scher example, item A21745, described as 1966
Bachmann & Scher example, dial and markers
Dial printing and minute track on the same example
Textured bezel on the separate Matthew Bain example
Crown and case flank on the Matthew Bain example
Caseback and bracelet on the Matthew Bain example; no reference stamp is visible
Caseback and leather strap on the Bachmann & Scher example
Gold stretch-rivet bracelet described by Matthew Bain
Clasp on the same bracelet
Leather strap on the Bachmann & Scher example

Sources