Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1029

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1029 is a mid-century reference from the early 1950s, exemplifying Rolex’s evolution toward refined yet durable automatic watches suitable for daily wear. Its 34mm stainless steel case adhered to the classic Oyster architecture, including a screw-down crown and caseback, complemented by an acrylic crystal, offering functional water resistance for the period. The watch was powered by the Rolex Caliber 645, a self-winding movement known for its reliability and estimated 42-hour power reserve. Dial variations included clean and minimalistic layouts, with applied baton or Arabic numeral hour markers, leaf or alpha hands with radium lume, and a central seconds hand. Dial tones typically ranged from silver to champagne, reflecting the understated design approach of the era. With a lug-to-lug measurement of approximately 41mm and a lug width of 19mm, the 1029 struck a balance between mid-century sizing and wrist presence. Though not as frequently seen as later Oyster Perpetual references, the 1029 serves as a transitional model bridging Rolex’s early automatic offerings with its emerging post-war design language. Collectors interested in mechanically sound, historically representative, and wearable vintage Rolex pieces value the 1029 for its heritage and clean styling.