Rolex Oyster 5020

The Rolex Oyster ref. 5020 is a manually-wound wristwatch produced in the mid-1940s to early 1950s, representing Rolex’s approach to rugged, compact timepieces suitable for daily wear. The 30.5mm stainless steel case features a smooth bezel and acrylic crystal, along with the hallmark screw-down Oyster crown and caseback that ensure water resistance. It is powered by the Rolex Caliber 700, a durable manual-wind movement that prioritizes reliability over complexity. Dial options were typically modest in tone—silver, off-white, or black—paired with Arabic numerals or mixed markers and slender pencil or feuille hands. With a lug-to-lug length of approximately 36mm and a lug width of 17mm, the 5020 is well-suited to vintage tastes, particularly those favoring smaller wristwatches with historical character. This reference stands as a classic example of Rolex’s mid-century utilitarian ethos, offering both durability and understated elegance in a practical format.