The "Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 1002" that arrived today features an original gray dial, which is rare in circulation.
It is also a rare L-serial number item, which is the last model before a major minor change.
Basic items such as the Oyster Perpetual, Datejust, and Perpetual Date with four-digit model numbers
were available with silver, gold, gray, blue, black, and some white dials,
and with some exceptions, the dial color was usually matched to the case color.
At the time, it was possible to choose the dial when purchasing a watch,
but often, dials that created a sense of unity with the watch itself were chosen, such as silver for stainless steel cases and gold for two-tone models.
Gray, blue, and black were apparently not chosen as often.
Especially for gray and blue, there were many paint defects until around the 1970s,
which caused color unevenness and tritium lume to corrode the paint.
Black was avoided because it gave a sports model impression.
Gray dials range widely in color, from close to silver to close to charcoal,
and blue dials can range from light and dark blues to those close to purple.
I heard such stories about 30 years ago,
but with recent vintage models, those that are scarce in circulation for such reasons are more highly prized.
This particular piece has a slightly glossy dial,
and its appearance changes from charcoal to gray depending on the light,
and under incandescent light, it even looks somewhat bronze,
making it seem as if it changes into various colors.
Since the paint was improved by the late 1980s,
it is unlikely that problems will occur in the future,
but I believe one of the charms of a gray dial is this kind of color variation.
At that time, Rolex was said to have dial factories in Switzerland, Germany, and the UK,
so perhaps due to different environments in each region, there are differences in color and specifications.
Regardless of the facts, this particular piece, in addition to its dial and hands,
also has its original crystal attached,
making it a highly original piece.
Although it's hard to see in the image, the crystal from this era is not a complete dome,
but rather a soft shape that is almost flat with a slight bulge in the center,
and the edges are not too sharp.
Current standard crystals are completely flat with sharp edges,
indicating that there are various shapes of crystals depending on the era.
The watch's year of manufacture is an L-serial number, believed to be from 1989-1990.
This serial number marks the end of many four-digit model series,
and immediately after this, changes were made to high-beat movements and sapphire crystals,
and the exterior design also changed to a sharper, more modern style.
Therefore, items with the final serial number are extremely valuable,
but I hear that Rolex manufactured very few watches in 1989 due to the rise of quartz watches.
I suspect that this is why there are so few R- and L-serial number pieces across all models,
but being able to interpret the historical background from differences in serial numbers and details
should allow you to fully appreciate the appeal of vintage watches.
The combination of the stainless steel case and gray dial is very masculine,
and strongly gives this watch a more refined impression.
A black dial can be too heavy, and a silver dial too light;
a gray dial is a color that achieves both,
so its versatility, suitable for any outfit or occasion, is also appealing.
The watch's design itself has a calm atmosphere that feels completely different from modern Rolex,
and in a good way, it's a Rolex watch that doesn't feel like a Rolex.
In other words, it's a watch that maximizes the strength of being basic.
This particular piece is a genuine one-of-a-kind item packed with various charms.
Vintage watches are not something that can always be bought with money,
nor can they always be bought even if you have money.
If this piece is sold, an item with the same conditions will never be available again,
which is why the best time to buy a vintage watch is when you encounter it.
Based on my experience since I was a company employee,
it is a wonderful watch that I can confidently recommend, as such an item rarely appears in this day and age.
Don't miss this opportunity!
