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While it may be the brand’s most simple and straightforward model, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual has a dedicated following of fans and collectors, and if you dig deep enough into the archives, you will find some truly unique variations of this iconic Rolex wristwatch. In our latest episode of What Is On My Wrist, Craft + Tailored’s CEO Cameron Barr peels back the layers of a rare and ultra-classy 1967 Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1013 that is crafted from solid 18k yellow gold, and explains exactly why this watch is so much more special than its smaller and more common stainless steel counterparts.
First introduced in the early 1930s, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual has remained in continuous production for the better part of a century, and throughout the years, it has existed in a wide variety of different forms. With that in mind, the classic full-size Oyster Perpetual was historically a 34mm watch, making the larger variants like this reference 1013 technically considered “oversized” models due to the fact that they feature the same 36mm case diameter as models such as the Datejust or Day-Date. As a whole, these vintage 36mm Oyster Perpetual watches are significantly more rare than the standard 34mm models, but while most examples were produced in stainless steel as the reference 1018, this watch is crafted from solid 18k yellow gold and is known as the reference 1013.
In addition to being rare, this particular example is in superb overall condition and is fitted with an unusual style of matte white dial, which features the Rolex coronet at 12 o’clock with grooved batons at the cardinal points and elongated arrowhead markers at the rest of the positions. Additionally, while it may wear similar to something like a 36mm Datejust from the same era, the Oyster Perpetual is a time-only watch, so you get a completely symmetrical dial that perfectly showcases its clean display and unique style of hour markers. While these solid 18k gold Oyster Perpetual ref. 1013 watches are quite a bit more expensive than their stainless steel counterparts, they are also exponentially less common, and this is the first example that we have ever had come through our hands at Craft + Tailored.
An 18k gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1013 is one of those watches that offers layers upon layers of detail, and it is one of those models that not everyone even knows exists. While a stainless steel 34mm Oyster Perpetual is one of the most common and affordable vintage Rolex models available, the reference 1013 represents the complete opposite end of the Oyster Perpetual lineup with both a case size and material that sets it apart from what typically comes to mind when someone thinks of this famous Rolex collection. An Oyster Perpetual ref. 1013 in 18k gold is really one of those watches that you don’t see every day, and it offers a number of unusual traits, while still being instantly identifiable as being a member of Rolex’s catalog.
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