.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
Rolex reference 5100 is a historic milestone in the development of the quartz watch. It was launched on 5th June 1970 but Rolex had underestimated demand, the initial pilot series production was completely sold out prior to delivery. In fact the “believed” limited series of 1000 watches (900 yellow gold and 100 white gold) were sold between 1970 and 1972. Less than 15 differently numbered examples in white gold have been offered at auction in the last twenty years.
Model 5100 was also the first Rolex to have a sapphire crystal and a seconds hand being run by a pallet wheel to give a true “sweep” centre seconds unlike modern quartz movements. It was also revolutionary for the new case design, much more angular in its shape than the Oyster case. Designed to be made in very limited quantities only, each Rolex Quartz is engraved with the limited edition number, the present watch being No. 773.
The Beta-21 is a 13 jewel, 8Khz quartz module first seen in prototype form in 1967. In 1968 it was agreed by 20 Swiss watch houses to produce 6,000 of these movements. In 1969, a few hundred of the Beta-21 watches were released at Basel World, setting a new record at the Fair. The Beta-21 movement was accurate to 5 seconds per month, which was far superior to any automatic and manual-winding watch at the time. The design for the Beta-21 watches was a triumph and also very characteristic of the era - they were generally thick, angular and even chunky (partly out of necessity as the first generation of quartz movements were comparatively large.) Rolex’s reference 5100 was essentially designed around the Beta-21 movement.
Shortly after the discontinuation of Ref. 5100 in 1972, Rolex left the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger) to go on and develop their own in-house quartz movements, later named the “Oysterquartz”.
The present lot is consigned by the family of the original owner, and is presented in extraordinary condition in what we believe to be unpolished with light normal wear. Without doubt a highly prized collector’s piece in provenance and finishing.
Model 5100 was also the first Rolex to have a sapphire crystal and a seconds hand being run by a pallet wheel to give a true “sweep” centre seconds unlike modern quartz movements. It was also revolutionary for the new case design, much more angular in its shape than the Oyster case. Designed to be made in very limited quantities only, each Rolex Quartz is engraved with the limited edition number, the present watch being No. 773.
The Beta-21 is a 13 jewel, 8Khz quartz module first seen in prototype form in 1967. In 1968 it was agreed by 20 Swiss watch houses to produce 6,000 of these movements. In 1969, a few hundred of the Beta-21 watches were released at Basel World, setting a new record at the Fair. The Beta-21 movement was accurate to 5 seconds per month, which was far superior to any automatic and manual-winding watch at the time. The design for the Beta-21 watches was a triumph and also very characteristic of the era - they were generally thick, angular and even chunky (partly out of necessity as the first generation of quartz movements were comparatively large.) Rolex’s reference 5100 was essentially designed around the Beta-21 movement.
Shortly after the discontinuation of Ref. 5100 in 1972, Rolex left the CEH (Centre Electronique Horloger) to go on and develop their own in-house quartz movements, later named the “Oysterquartz”.
The present lot is consigned by the family of the original owner, and is presented in extraordinary condition in what we believe to be unpolished with light normal wear. Without doubt a highly prized collector’s piece in provenance and finishing.