Midway through the 1950s Rolex made a new addition to the Oyster Perpetual collection with the Date model, equipped with a date aperture at the three o’ clock position. Compared to the Day-Date produced previously, the Date model does not carry the name of the day of the week at the twelve o’ clock position. The first Oyster Perpetual Date in production, reference 6534, is made of steel with a smooth bezel, three part case and screw on bottom plate. The case measures 34mm, slightly smaller than the Datejust (36mm). The first dials were silver coloured with black inscriptions, appliqué indices and dauphine hands (treated with luminous material). The movement is automatic with a 1036 calibre and equipped with a two coloured date roulette which alternates even numbers in red and odd numbers in black. The Date model reference 6534 has an Oyster bracelet in riveted steel with a foldover clasp and supportive fastenings to the last link. There exists a particularly rare Rolex Date model reference 6534 which carries the inscription “Serpico y Laino” underneath the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date inscription. Serpico Y Laino is the name of a well-known jeweller’s in Caracas, which in the past was a Rolex dealer who personalised several models of the Swiss brand. Another famous jeweller’s, namely Tiffany & Co. of New York, also personalised the dials of different Rolex models. Subsequently Rolex introduced the Date reference 6536 which differs from the previous model by its fluted (and not smooth) bezel and is characterised by appliqué steel markers for the hours. More considerable modifications resulted in the Date reference 1500 with a knock resistant and antimagnetic case guaranteed waterproof to 100 metres; this model was available in the Rolex catalogue for the Italian market up until the end of the 1980s. References 1501 and 1503 are distinguished by a new movement calibre 1565. The Date reference 1503 was made in both steel, 14kt and 18kt gold; there is also a version in 18kt pink gold with an extendible bracelet. The Date reference 15038 in 18kt yellow gold with a 3035 calibre movement appeared on the market at the beginning of the 1980s. The model contained particular gold appliqué indices, a fluted bezel with no appliqués and the inscription Super Chronometer Officially Certified at the bottom of the dial at the six o’ clock position. Further references followed for the Date model including the 15223 in steel and gold, automatic movement calibre 3135, 31 rubies and sapphire crystal. This model is characterised by a heavily fluted bezel. In the same year production of the Date reference 15210 in steel began, available with the classic Oyster bracelet. Further Date models are the references 15200 in steel and the 15238 in 18kt yellow gold. These watches are available with a large range of dials of different colours and graphics (appliqué indices, Arabic numbers alternated with indices, small Roman numerals and indices). The latest Rolex Date references have six numbers: 115200, 115210 and 115234. All models have steel cases and bracelets and only the Date 115234 has a white gold bezel.
Rolex Date 1530
The model reference 1530 deserves its own special section in the Oyster Perpetual Date collection, both for its scarce availability and for the particular details that distinguish it. The 1530 was actually only in production for two years and it has the same design of case and steel Oyster bracelet with reference 17000 full links and foldover clasp. It has a three-piece case, screw on bottom plate and smooth bezel; its silver dial is divided into two sections; it has black graphics, baton indices and hands and sapphire crystal. The movement inside its unique case is automatic and calibre 1575. The Date reference 1530 was produced in a limited number and was never published in catalogues for the Italian market.