Rolex Oyster Perpetual Ref. 6564 Gold
Dress Watch / Tool Watch Hybrid · Rolex (Independent); Luxury Tier; renowned for the invention of the waterproof Oyster case and perpetual rotor.
Period: Mid-Century Modern (1950s); characterized by its clean bezel, alpha-style hands, and 'bubble-back' influence on certain case iterations.
Type
Dress Watch / Tool Watch Hybrid
Brand
Rolex (Independent); Luxury Tier; renowned for the invention of the waterproof Oyster case and perpetual rotor.
Movement
Automatic/Self-Winding Caliber 1030; features 25 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 bph, and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Dimensions
34mm diameter, 12mm thickness, 40mm lug-to-lug, 19mm lug width. It wears slightly larger due to the classic Oyster case profile.
Description
An quintessential mid-century Rolex, the Ref. 6564 represents the refinement of the Oyster Perpetual line. Transitioning away from the bulky bubble-back designs of the 1940s, this model offers a slimmer profile in solid gold, making it a sophisticated daily wearer or dress piece.
Key Features
Applied gold 'coronet' logo, alpha-style hands, smooth bezel, and the legendary Caliber 1030, which was the first bi-directional winding movement for Rolex.
Dial Description
Matte black dial with applied gold baton indices, gold coronet at 12, alpha/dauphine hands, and a center sweep seconds hand. Text includes 'Rolex Oyster Perpetual' and 'Officially Certified Chronometer'.
Case Material
14k or 18k Yellow Gold; featuring a high-polish finish on the case body and lugs.
Crystal Type
Acrylic/Plexiglass; domed profile standard for the era.
Bezel Details
Fixed smooth bezel; polished yellow gold.
Crown & Pushers
Screw-down Twinlock crown; yellow gold with embossed Rolex coronet; no crown guards.
Bracelet or Strap
Shown without strap; originally would have been paired with an Oyster bracelet or a leather strap with a gold buckle.
Caseback Details
Solid, screw-down yellow gold caseback; 'flat-back' style distinct from earlier thicker 'bubble-back' models.
Movement Type
Automatic/Self-Winding Caliber 1030; features 25 jewels, a frequency of 18,000 bph, and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Water Resistance
Originally 50m (5 ATM); currently considered non-water resistant due to age and potential gasket degradation.
Origin & Provenance
Swiss Made; manufactured in Geneva, Switzerland with an in-house movement.
Age Estimate
Circa 1955-1960; identifiable by the Cal. 1030 movement period and the specific dial typeface/hand style.
Cultural Significance
The Oyster Perpetual is the foundation of the modern Rolex catalog; this specific gold reference represents the post-WWII economic boom and the shift toward luxury sports watches.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good; significant wear visible on the gold case, possible dial oxidation or 'stardust' patina, acrylic crystal shows surface scratches, and lume has likely depleted or fallen out of hand channels.
Value Estimate
$4,000 - $6,500 USD; value depends heavily on the specific gold hallmark (14k vs 18k) and movement health.
Care & Maintenance
Requires service every 5–7 years; avoid water contact due to aged gaskets; manual winding after long periods of inactivity should be done gently.
Similar Watches
Rolex Ref. 6567 (Fluted Bezel), Rolex Air-King 5500 (Stainless Steel), Omega Seamaster (Vintage gold models).
Interesting Facts
The caliber 1030 inside this watch was a major milestone for Rolex as their first house-manufactured chronometer-certified movement featuring a rotor that wound in both directions.