Rolex Oyster Perpetual 1023

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual ref. 1023 is a mid-20th-century model that blends understated elegance with Rolex’s core technological strengths. Produced during the 1950s and early 1960s, it featured a 34mm case in stainless steel or gold, using the Oyster case system with a screw-down crown and caseback and fitted with an acrylic crystal. The watch was powered by the Rolex Caliber 1560, a chronometer-rated self-winding movement offering a power reserve of approximately 48 hours and known for its robustness and precision. Dials on the 1023 were typically clean and formal in design, with applied hour markers—often in baton or dagger form—paired with dauphine or stick hands, and a sweeping central seconds hand. The aesthetic was minimalist, often with sunburst silver or champagne tones and minimal text on the dial. With a 41mm lug-to-lug span and a 19mm lug width, the 1023 offered proportions that balanced dress appeal with everyday wearability. The reference 1023 is now appreciated by collectors for its combination of durability, simplicity, and classic styling. It also marks the transition from Rolex’s earlier, more utilitarian offerings to the refined elegance that would define later Oyster Perpetual models.