No 232 - Rolex Oysterquartz 17013

Why the hell did I go and buy myself another one of those bloody loud tickers? I had promised myself not to buy another OQ but then this beauty turned up to a price I just couldn’t look away from. It had recently been given a proper gasket service and was in a great condition. I mean, who can resist the combination of blue and gold? Its stunning looks simply made me forget about the noise it gave off. This watch really meant some serious business. It was so beautiful. A perfect summer’s watch!

#232 - The Rolex Oysterquartz, ref. 17013.

I received it with no box or papers. I don’t even know which year it was from. But it was easy to sell and was gone like that when I put it up for sale. I only had it for a couple of weeks in August 2014. That was enough to once again make me realize that looks isn’t everything. It’s the inside that matters. I simply couldn’t overcome the loud movement it housed and believe me when I say I tried!

A sunny Sunday afternoon on the balcony together with my dad.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.

No 196 - Rolex Oysterquartz 17000

I just love quartz watches and the Oysterquartz had flown below my radar for a long time. In November 2013 when I found this one, before the Rolex price boom, the Oysterquartz was not very hyped. I was given the chance to trade one for my Breitling Aerospace UTC and I was even considering not to because I felt it might was a bad deal. How crazy is that? Anyhow, I went for the deal and the moment I put the watch on my wrist I knew I had done the right thing. For one it looked awesome but it also wore really well and the fact that I had traded a Breitling for a Rolex also felt satisfying. But that same night things changed. “WHAT THE HELL IS THAT TICKING SOUND?!” The movement was really loud. I even buried it in my sock drawer and I could still hear it! What the hell?! Even during office hours when I was surrounded by constant noise I could still hear it. It almost drove me insane. It just had to go. Despite its beautiful blue dial and fantastic design with the integrated bracelet, its looks alone just weren’t enough to make up for the ticking sound.

#196 - The Rolex Oysterquartz, ref. 17000.

I promised myself that I would never ever buy another Oysterquartz. One year later I had to redo the mistake just to confirm and to fully understand that the Oysterquartz wasn’t a watch for me. It's too bad they couldn't improve the Oysterquartz during all the years it was being manufactured. I know I'm not the only one out there being driven crazy by the sound it makes. If Rolex would announce an updated version of the Oysterquartz with the same design and the same size, but with an updated movement that holds up to the same quality as the Seiko 9F-movements for example, I wouldn't hesitate for a second.

© All pictures by a Watch Flipper's Diary unless noted.