Rolex does make a variety of quartz watches. Many of the watches in their Cellini line of dress watches utilize quartz movements. The Oysterquartz, introduced in 1978, is in a heavier and more angular case with integral bands. Oysterquartz watches are still being manufactured and their 11-jewel quartz movements haven't changed at all over these 24 years. This is probably due to the fact that the watch was far over-engineered when it was introduced. Rolex expected the Oysterquart line to replace the Oyster Perpetual line, however that was far from what happened. Oysterquartz production is only about 1000 watches a year. Their failure in the marketplace was possibly because the watches didn't look like the popular Oyster Perpetuals. People didn't want to spend a lot of money on a Rolex watch, even if it was better designed and far more accurate than its predecesor, if others didn't instantly recognize it as an expensive Rolex watch. As far as telling if the watch is a replica, if the dial says Oyster Perpetual and the second hand ticks, the deal is too good to be true. If the dial says "True-Beat" on it, this is a very rare mechanical watch that featured a step ticking second hand. This one is extremely rare. Of course, the Oysterquartz watches have ticking second hands. I have Oysterquartzes and Oyster Perpetuals in my collection, and I have to admit my favorite watch is a 18kt/ss Oysterquartz Datejust. It is always accurate, never needs to be wound, is durable and tough, and looks great either dressed up or dressed down. Have fun with your watch hunt, but have a jeweler you trust check out the watch if you have any doubt.
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