Rolex ref.5100 quarz limited edition 
1962:
Rolex participates along with 20 other Swiss brands elettronique
Horlogerie at the Centre to develop electronic movement for a wristwatch.
components on the motion was made by Ebauches SA, today's ETA.
The final result 'was the BETA 21, a genuine movement innovative in form, with performance above the standard of the period, it was advertised that the error was content running in less than one minute per year.
Featuring a technology very similar to the Bulova Accutron, is characterized by continuous movement of the second hand, very similar to that of a mechanical movement and free of "snapshots" of typical quartz watch with.
About 16 brands on their models fitted with this movement and assembly of this movement is not allowed according to the particular personified the brand that was mounting.
1962: Rolex
participates in the Centre Horlogerie elettronique together with 20 other Swiss brands to develop an electronic movement for wrist watches.
The components for the movement were made by Ebauches SA, known today as ETA.
The final result was the BETA 21, and truly innovative movement in both shape and with performance levels above the standard of the time. In fact it was advertized that the variation was less than one minute per year.
It was characterized by a technology very similar to the Bulova Accutron which is known for its continual movement of the second hands, altogether similar to that of a mechanical movement and without the “ticks” common to quartz watches.
Approximately 16 brands used this movement on their models and the assembly of the movement did not allow for many modifications using it for the brand.
On June 5, 1970, at the Basel Art Fair Rolex present 'a special series limited to 1000 numbered copies named 5100 all exclusively in gold, of which only about 150 white gold, all numbered on the side.
5th June 1970 During the Basel exhibition, Rolex presented a special series limited to 1000 numbered specimens Called the 5100, all of gold Exclusively Which Were Approximately only 150 white gold. Were all numbered on the side.
's the second and last event that Rolex has produced a series numbered , idealogicamente referring back to what was done in 1945 with the first 100 copies of Datejust ref. 4467.
Many features avant-garde for its time: for the first time for a Rolex was mounted in synthetic sapphire mineral glass, the machine stops for a synchronization more 'precise time and date that the snap was obtained independently premendo e ruotando la corona verso il basso.
Un design all'avanguardia,ispirato alle tendenze del momento e una promozione
commerciale da manuale fece si che la serie fu' prenotata e venduta prima ancora della sua produzione e quindi un successo per Rolex.: infatti erano orologi d'elite e presentati cosi:
"Alla nostra sede centrale di Ginevra vi è un registro ,chiamato Albo d'Oro, dei nostri clienti che con orgoglio possono contare il Rolex Quartz tra i loro beni ,Essi possono fare parte del Rolex Quartz Club, uno dei più esclusivi club immaginabile.
I membri del Club sono benvenuti a Ginevra. Alla loro prima visita, sono invitati a firmare il registro d'oro e possano godere di un tour personale della sede centrale di Rolex Ginevra ."
It is the second and last instance in which Rolex produced a numbered series, referring back ideologically to what they did in 1945 with the first 100 specimens of the Datejust ref. 4467.
Many of the characteristics were very avant-garde for the time: for the first time a synthetic sapphire crystal was used, the hacking feature, for a more precise synchronization of the time, and the Quick Set for the date that allowed the date to be set independently by pressing down and turning the winding crown.
An avant-garde design, inspired by the trends of the time and a textbook commercial promotion made it such that the series was reserved and sold before it was even produced and therefore a success for Roles: in fact, they were watches made for the elite and were presented in the following way:
“At our central headquarters in Geneva there is a Golden Register, a Who’s Who of our clients who proudly count a Rolex Quartz among their most precious possessions. They form the Rolex Quartz Club, one of the most exclusive clubs imaginable…
Members of the Club are always welcome at Rolex Geneva. On their first visit, they are invited to sign the Golden Register and can enjoy a personal tour of the Geneva world Headquarters”
Nonostante Rolex sia stata orgogliosa of 5100 it was an anomaly of its tradition.
Rolex had built his reputation around the oyster case and in this case had instead had to adapt a case to a movement and its measures, it stated that the 5100 moisture resistant 'and not waterproof.
addition, the present and mount a movement identical to another 16 Maison put Rolex in an untenable position and in 1972 retired 'from the consortium BETA 21 and start' to design a propio quartz movement.
The 5100 was the Rolex watch piu'costoso the catalog at the time, a true and own bar, worked carefully and manually by expert goldsmiths crowned the house.
Cash and 'divided into 3 parts, with the ring with funzione di tenuta del vetro zaffiro e dal fondello che si fissa alla cassa mediante due perni ed un sistema a binario .
Even though Rolex was proud of the 5100, it represented an anomaly of their tradition.
Rolex had built its reputation around the Oyster case and in this case had to adapt a case to a movement and its dimensions. For this reason the 5100 was declared water resistant and not waterproof.
Furthermore the mounting of the movement which was identical to 16 other watch houses put Rolex in an unbearable position and in 1972 Rolex withdrew from the BETA 21 consortium and began to design their own quartz movement.
The 5100 was the most expensive watch in the Rolex catalog at the time, a proper ingot, knowingly hand watch crafted by experts of the crowned house.
The case is Divided into 3 parts with the bezel HAVING the function of holding the sapphire crystal and the Which connected back to the homes via two pins and a track system.
The back was stamped inside with the logos of Rolex, gold and reference. The back
Was stamped internally with the Rolex logo, the gold and the reference quality.
All items were scored individually punched and finished not to be confused with each other, device common for all items finished by hand.
Everything in this clock and 'exclusive and designed only for this model, the bracelet and president of inspiration' Realize gold mesh in full-scale processors with hidden lock. All the pieces
Which Could Be Disassembled Were stamped and finished Individually So They Would not be confused with Each Other, a common practice for all hand finished objects.
Was Everything about this watch exclusive and designed only for this model, inspired bracelet Was The president made of solid gold links Gradually scaled down in size and with a concealed clasp.
inside of the loops was performed an incision located.
Inside the lugs Identifying an engraving Was used.
Even the crown and 'Realize, mostly in gold and design.
Even the winding crown Was made of gold and a unique design.
ring and 'finished Fluted spouts'.
The graphics of the dial shows only the words Rolex Quartz and Swiss made.
Was The fluted bezel. The graphics of the dial
Contain only the writing Rolex Quartz and Swiss made.
border = "0" to
The small scale and 'printed with two different heights, the index indicates that the division of five minutes stretched toward the center. The luminescence and
'entrusted to tritium at the base of each index in gold. The minutes
ring scale is printed with two different lengths with the 5 minute indicators more elongated Towards the center.
The luminescence relies on tritium, Placed at the base of gold Every indicator.
realizate The dials were generally in silver for the white gold and silver for the champagne gold, but there are 'rarity' in rarity ', with black dial, blue and even more' rare with indexes in diamonds.
The presentation box was dedicated in leather with buckle with the Rolex logo at the top. The dials
Were Generally made in a silver color for the white gold silver champagne and watch for the yellow gold; however, Some rarities exist in this rarity, with Some black or blue dials and even more rare diamond indicators. The display box Was
leather with a Rolex logo Positioned on the upper part of the buckle.
This clock, nicknamed the "Texas" contains in itself 'a piece of history but also the evolution of the Rolex watch for 70 years.
This watch, nicknamed the "Texan" encompasses a piece of Rolex history, But Also The evolution of 1970's watch-making.
Stefano Mazzariol
