I like a Rolex to be clean and simple. That’s why I obsessed the Rolex Oysterdate thus much for example. Last year, Rolex introduced several stunning Oyster Perpetual models in 36mm with amazing looking dials (White Grape, Red Grape and Steel gray). However, at 36mm they are considered small for today’s standards. several men can get away with it, however I don’t belong to that group I am afraid. My 36mm Oysterdate gets hardly any wear because it looks thus small on my wrists. A pity, as it is a stunning timepiece. Of course, the Rolex Oysterdate II would be a perfect alternative.
It’s a primary reason why that $35, 3-6-9, drug store three-hander lacks the same appeal of what is likely a very similar, at a distance at least, watch costing multitudes more. The Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 you see before you was purchased new in Frankfurt, Gerseveralin 1989. Today, we’ll take a look at a good example of pleasing design: a very simple, yet sporty watch that deserves consideration. I saw them initially with silver, gray and blue dials and although several looked quite old, several looked relatively modern. We’re here with a vintage Rolex, however warm up those fingers because winding is required; the Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 is on #TBT.
I was in London with my then girlfriend, now wife, during a long weekend and I ran across a lot of little used watch shops. The Rolex that forms the subject of today’s article is a real “under the radar” piece. Of course, Rolex’s were heavily featured in the windows and among the severalsports models and Datejusts, I kept running into these basic, however highly attractive Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 models. I actually don’t own this Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 and, quite frankly, hadn’t really ever seen an Oysterdate Precision “in the metal” up until 3-4 years ago. Pricing, I quickly noted, was rather reasonable in the thousand British pound range. The Rolex Oysterdate cheap is a no-nonsense stainless steel Rolex that will suit anyone who doesn’t fancy a date.It’s interesting as the watch has a case from 1985-1986 however like a lot of later Rolex 6694’s, it either sat around unsold or Rolex pumped out a lot of cases in that time-frame before deciding to discontinue the model a few years later.
I found that these models were extremely popular in Europe, however less thus in the flashier, Sub and President-wearing, USA. It was introduced as the 6694 in the early 1960’s and made up until the late 1980’s; blogs show the model in the catalog as late as 1988. The thing, though, that really sparked my interest was that these Precisions were manual wind watches. So, it was off to the internet to do a bit of research. Aside from Daytonas, Cellini models and several older Explorers and Air Kings, I hadn’t realized that Rolex produced a manual wind model for thus long and until thus late.
My friend, however, bought the watch less than two years later in almost NOS condition for less than 500 Euros (then Deutsch Marks) after it had been, rather unnecessarily, serviced at the local Wempe. Since then, the watch has remained in the back of my mind and while I haven’t purchased one, a very good friend wears today’s piece frequently enough to remind me of its classic looks. Aesthetically, I find this Rolex to be timeless and gorgeous. It has classy, elegant air looks that seem suitable for the tennis court, a business meeting or any number of casual settings. I have fairly big wrists however easily get away with a 39mm watch. The dial has a silver, radiating finish paired with such simple, slender gold hands, indices and the Rolex crown. Small lume dots sit outside of each index and a simple minute track borders the dial itself.
Admitted, it is a watch with not a single complication, however it’s as well a watch that you will never get tired of and as written before, a high-quality watch that will keep its value over time as well. The 39mm diameter makes it a very interesting alternative to the 41mm Oysterdate models as well as to the smaller 36mm versions.
