Original vintage 1960s Rolex advertisement for the company's Oyster Perptual Ref. 1002 dress watch, set during a sailing advantage around South Africa's Cape Horn.
 
Dimensions: 10 inches wide by 13.25 inches high.
 
The Rolex Oyster Perpetual is a cornerstone of the Rolex catalog, arriving to market in the 1950s and continuing production up to the present day.  However, to understand Rolex Ref. 1002’s history, we must first venture back to the 1920s and the invention of Rolex’s famous waterproof Oyster case in 1926.
 
At the time of its release, the Rolex Oyster was the world’s first waterproof wristwatch during an era when pocket watches were more commonplace.  In 1931, Rolex released the Perpetual movement, the first of its kind - unlike quartz or hand-wound movements, the Rolex Perpetual movement automatically winds as the wearer moves their wrist.  As long as the watch is worn regularly, it never needs to be manually wound, hence the name “Perpetual.”
 
Today, nearly every model in the Rolex lineup uses both features and subsequently carries the distinction “Oyster Perpetual” on their dial, including the Datejust, Submariner, Explorer, and GMT Master II, among many others.  In its purest form, the Oyster Perpetual features a time-only dial and a smooth bezel.  Rolex released the first Oyster Perpetual in the late 1950s, equipping it with various calibers, including the 645 and 1030 often found inside vintage Explorer and Submariner models.
 
But back to the Rolex Ref. 1002, which  made its debut around 1959 and continued production until the circa 1980s.  During the era, countless editions of the watch hit the market, featuring several metal finishes, dial colors, movements, and bracelet options. 
 
An affordable vintage watch from a very popular period of Rolex watchmaking - and while perhaps not as flashy as some other Rolex models - the simple look of Rolex Ref. 1002 renders it a classic and timeless appearance, and its quality construction keeps it running smoothly and accurately for generations.