Rolex Oyster Date 6694

With its three hands, date display, date magnifier, and timeless design, the Oysterdate Precision 6694 is markedly restrained in form and function, a watch reduced to the bare essentials. The Genevan manufacturer produced the Oysterdate Precision from the early 1960s to the late 80s and fitted it with the Rolex caliber 1210 or 1225, depending on the year. The model is the last three-hand Rolex to come with a hand-wound movement – a fact that gives the watch a real vintage flair.

During this decades-long run, Rolex produced a series of different editions that vary primarily in dial color and marker type. Initially, black and silver sunburst dials were especially popular, but later, the Oysterdate collection grew to include a line of colorful versions with green, blue, yellow, and pink dials. The applied makers are primarily bar or line indices, but dials featuring Roman or Arabic numerals are also available.

The Oysterdate Precision has a 34-mm Oyster case made of stainless steel, stainless steel and gold (two-tone), or even 18-karat yellow gold, depending on the edition. With its moderate diameter, the watch was almost predestined to become a unisex model. The timepiece features an acrylic crystal with a date magnifier at 3 o'clock. The crown is not screwed down, but the watch was nevertheless originally water-resistant to 100 m (10 bar, 328 ft). Because of its age, the water resistance should definitely be checked before making a purchase.

Depending on the year it was produced, the Rolex Oysterdate Precision 6694 will be powered by the Rolex in-house caliber 1210 (older models) or 1225. While the balance wheel of the 1210 oscillates at 18,000 vph, the 1225 swings a bit quicker at 21,600 vph. Both calibers boast a power reserve of roughly 58 hours when fully wound and a Breguet hairspring. The 1225 also features a KIF shock absorber.

Unlike Rolex's automatic calibers, neither the 1210 nor the 1225 is a certified chronometer; nor do these calibers have a quick-set date function, as is common in more modern movements.

The Oysterdate 6694 has performed fairly well over the last two years (as of January 2023). Well-maintained models are still quite affordable. A 6694 with a silver dial, bar indices, and caliber 1225 changes hands on Chrono24 for approximately 3,300 USD. In January 2021, the same model only cost about 3,000 USD, which represents a 10% increase in value during that time.

More exotic variants with colorful dials are somewhat more expensive and have performed a little better on the market. A 6694 with an orange dial and silver Arabic numerals cost around 3,400 USD in January 2021; two years later, the same watch demands an investment of roughly 4,000 USD.