Rolex Oyster Precision "UFO"
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–When you think of a watch with an integrated bracelet and an unusual case shape, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Audemars Piguet came up with that conceit in the 1970s. After all, the Royal Oak—with its distinctive silhouette—more or less single-handedly created the notion of a luxury sports watch. Its success prompted brands as far-ranging as Vacheron Constantin and Girard-Perregaux to roll out similar-looking watches, all crafted on the ideal of a rugged versatility.
However, Rolex had experimented with integrated bracelets as well—as early as the mid-1950s, two decades before Audemars Piguet released the Royal Oak, and on dress watches.
Yes, you read that correctly: dress watches.
In the 1950s—1956 to be exact—Rolex released a watch that would be a spiritual precursor to the Royal Oak.
That watch, the Reference 9083, is the one that we offer here.
The Reference 9083 is part of the Oyster Precision line, a wide-ranging and long-lived collection that encompassed a variety of case styles and designs. Their appearances range from the refined to the rugged. But none of these is perhaps as unique and unusual as the Reference 9083.
In fact, its distinctive case shape—which looks like a flying saucer straight out of The Day the Earth Stood Still—gave rise to the nickname “UFO.”
Klaatu barada nikto, indeed.
What makes the UFO so unique—notwithstanding the shape of the case—is the integrated bracelet. Until that point, Rolex had only offered some examples of the Cellini line on a bracelet, and those in gold. The fact that Rolex offered the Reference 9083 on a bracelet—and an integrated one at that—was a bold and a forward-thinking move.
Released only in Great Britain, the UFO only ran for a short period of time before being discontinued. Though Rolex continued to offer integrated bracelets on the Cellini throughout the 1960s, it wouldn’t be seen again on a steel watch until the introduction of the Oysterquartz in the 1970s.
With a delicious honeycomb dial, the watch is a classic mid-century design that still resonates with the tastes of today.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.
Condition
Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.
Warranty
We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.
International Buyers
Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.
Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.
We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.
Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.
We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.
Rolex Oyster Precision "UFO"
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