I’ve always been drawn to the weird and wonderful world of 70’s watch and car design. To me the Rolex Oysterquartz 17014 is a perfect embodiment of my tastes but what’s it like to wear? In a word-special.

On the wrist, the 36mm case appears larger than the regular Oyster case, helped in part by the integration of the bracelet. It’s elegant and unobtrusive and not at all small by modern standards (that’s coming from someone that owns a Ploprof), with visual details like the tapering bevel on each flank keeping my interest piqued even after 2 years of ownership. The OQ’s party trick is in the way it manages to capture and re-divert light without appearing chintzy. Some modern watch designers could learn from the restrained proportions and clever application of relatively simple case finishing techniques – it’s more crystal chandelier than repurposed disco ball.

The dial completes the monochromatic look, with just a hint of champagne warmth coming through in the sunburst finish. It’s standard affair for anyone that’s familiar with Datejusts of the 80’s and 90’s, with simple high polished white gold stick hour markers and hands complimenting the high polish white gold fluted bezel, its simple, legible and features the iconic cyclops for easier date magnification – a feature I’ve come to love as part of quintessential Rolex design.

Integration of the bracelet in the Rolex Oysterquartz 17014 encourages the wearer to think about the package as a whole, there’s no swapping out straps here. The bracelet is the watch, and the watch is the bracelet, but despite this, it remains incredibly versatile. Don’t let the hand finishing or white gold fool you into thinking this is a specialised haute piece, it’s not. The Oyster Quartz has 50m WR, proper mag resistance and a thermo-compensated movement designed to conquer Everest, seriously.

I absolutely love it. Buy one while you can.