Rolex filed their first patents of battery-powered watches already in 1952, but we had to wait until 1970 (Rolex Quartz) and 1977 (Rolex Oysterquartz) until final products were released. We have previously revealed details of unreleased battery-powered Rolex calibers: the analog perpetual calendar prototypes (cal. 5335 and 5355) and the LED FAN prototype (cal. 7065). Exclusively on @oysterquartz, previously unknown details about another production-ready new model is now presented to our followers: the Rolex Oysterquartz Digital. Following the moderate success of the Oysterquartz in 1977, a digital version was rapidly developed at Rolex. Using the unreleased LED cal. 7065 as a basis, cal. 7165 was developed and fitted in an Oysterquartz case. Despite its always-on LED display, the cal. 7165 had a battery lifetime of a stunning 15 years. It featured a perpetual calendar, a chronograph, an alarm and a timer. The crown was not screw-down, since it was used to interact with the different functions. With tough competition on the digital watch scene, Rolex chose not to release the Oysterquartz Digital - probably due to the high development cost that in the end would have been reflected in an unrealistic retail price. #oysterquartz #oysterquartzdigital #digital #51014 #rolexquartz #5100 #rolex #rolexprototype #prototype #ledwatch #digitalwatch (på/i Stockholm, Sweden) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-byxuzKvcn/?igshid=1f5w1svpyi10c
