The 5 million serial on this classic beauty dates back to circa 1977-1978, from a time when Rolex made some of their bracelets in New Jersey. The original folded Jubilee bracelet on this piece is one such example of when watch components were actually Made in America, with a sharp U.S.A. stamp present in the fold-over clasp. They don’t come much cleaner than this, and just look at that beautiful smooth bezel!

Value Proposition

The 1500 Date will give you that gold Rolex feel without the $20,000 Presidential price. Sure, it’s not a Day-Date, but minimalism is the key to happiness. At the end of the day, this piece can be summed up in three words: affordable gold Rolex – a phrase you’ll never hear again.

True Vintage

This 34mm Date is the little brother to the Datejust, and comes in a true vintage size fit for a man or a woman. Vintage timepieces are all the hype nowadays, especially vintage Rolex. Most of the vintage watches getting air time in the blogs don’t look so different from their modern counterparts. If you’re going vintage, go for something they don’t make anymore, a piece that really speaks to the era it is from. The USA clasp makes this watch a piece of history – Rolex won’t be stamping parts USA again anytime soon.

Unostentatiously Gold

It’s a solid gold watch, but 14K is far more subtle than 18K yellow or rose gold. The gold tones in this piece are present, but don’t scream “Hey, do you see me? I’m gold!” It’s classy and luxurious, not obnoxious. Pro tip: put the bracelet in storage to prevent any additional stretch and put this piece on a new suede strap!

Additional Details:

• Reference: 1500
• Movement: Automatic, Swiss made, COSC
• Rolex caliber 1570
• Case: 14K gold
• Diameter: 34mm (about 37mm including the crown)
• Thickness: 11mm
• Lug-to-Lug: About 40.5mm
• Dial: Silver/champagne, stick markers, tritium T-dial
• Date window at 3:00
• Band: 14K gold folded link jubilee bracelet, made in USA
• Lug Width: 19mm
• Pierced lugs
• Crystal: Acrylic (plastic)
• Crown: Screw-down
• Total Weight: 111 grams / 3.9 ounces

Age: 5.3 million serial, circa 1977-1978 (serial number chart)

Includes: No box, no papers. Watch only, shipped in a hard plastic case (the same ones used by Rolex)

Condition: Very good vintage condition overall. There is lots of life left in the bracelet. It sized to fit up to just under a 7.5″ wrist with no extra links (that’s with all of the micro adjustments being used – if it’s too small, put it on a leather strap until you source links). The clasp is snug. The crystal is excellent. The champagne dial is nice for the age with some oxidation around the edge, mostly around 4:00. The movement winds and sets as it should.