{"product_id":"montre-rolex-vintage-oysterdate-6694-cadran-noir-or-1976","title":"Vintage Rolex Oysterdate Watch 6694 — Black Gold Dial (1976) ","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe black and gold dial of the last manual-winding Rolex\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis Rolex Oysterdate Precision watch, reference 6694, produced in 1976, can be worn equally well by a man or a woman, with a 34mm steel Oyster case corresponding to the benchmark format of the Swiss dress watch. The bezel is smooth and polished, without fluting or engraving. The caseback is screwed down, and the crown as well, in keeping with the Oyster construction that established the maison's reputation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial is what sets this example apart. Against a \u003cstrong\u003edeep black\u003c\/strong\u003e background, the applied baton hour markers and the hands are \u003cstrong\u003egolden\u003c\/strong\u003e — a two-tone combination decidedly less common than the silvered or champagne versions usually found on this reference. Over the decades, the lacquer has developed a light and even patina, softening the black without altering its depth. The inscriptions \u003cem\u003eROLEX\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eOYSTERDATE\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003ePRECISION\u003c\/em\u003e are printed in gold as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe date window, at three o'clock, is topped by the brand's characteristic Cyclops. The mention \u003cem\u003eT SWISS MADE T\u003c\/em\u003e at six o'clock indicates a tritium dial: the luminous dots and the tips of the hands have turned cream, a patina that nothing can reproduce artificially.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 6694 is the last manual-winding three-hand Rolex: while the maison shifted most of its production toward automatic movements and chronometer certification, this reference retained the daily gesture of winding by the crown until the end of its production. The mention \u003cem\u003ePrecision\u003c\/em\u003e on the dial, rather than \u003cem\u003eSuperlative Chronometer\u003c\/em\u003e, indicates that the movement was not submitted for chronometric certification — a positioning that made the 6694 the entry point into the Rolex universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThree points to note\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePatinated black dial with golden hour markers and hands\u003c\/strong\u003e — a two-tone combination decidedly less common than the silvered versions of the reference, with lacquer that has evolved evenly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLast manual-winding three-hand Rolex\u003c\/strong\u003e — the 6694 retained crown winding while the rest of the catalog was moving to automatic.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDate without quickset correction\u003c\/strong\u003e — the date is adjusted by turning the hands through a 24-hour cycle, a particular feature of the movement.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy choose a vintage Rolex watch?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBuying a \u003cstrong\u003evintage Rolex watch\u003c\/strong\u003e rather than a new model means gaining access to a top-tier Swiss manufacture at a budget unrelated to boutique pricing, through pieces whose construction has already proven its durability. The 6694 is a perfect illustration of this: a \u003cstrong\u003epre-owned luxury watch\u003c\/strong\u003e produced for thirty years, with spare parts still available and that any watchmaker knows how to service.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis reference holds a particular place among \u003cstrong\u003evintage men's and women's watches\u003c\/strong\u003e: its 34mm diameter now corresponds to the most sought-after format on the \u003cstrong\u003evintage dress watch\u003c\/strong\u003e market. The black-dial variation stands apart from the lighter versions through a contrast that makes it more legible and more assertive on the wrist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLike all our \u003cstrong\u003evintage mechanical watches\u003c\/strong\u003e , it has been opened and inspected by our watchmakers: verification of the calibre and its consistency with the reference, verification of the serial number, examination of the dial, hands, and case. Each \u003cstrong\u003epre-owned Rolex watch\u003c\/strong\u003e we offer comes with an invoice Atelier Victor serving as a certificate, a twelve-month mechanical warranty, and guaranteed lifetime authenticity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-rolex-vintage\"\u003eDiscover our vintage Rolex watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e→ \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/montres-vintage-collection-occasion-luxe\"\u003eView all our luxury vintage watches\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical characteristics\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Oysterdate Precision\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 6694\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSerial number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 47015••\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEstimated year:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1976\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Switzerland\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGender:\u003c\/strong\u003e Men's and women's watch (Unisex)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-wound mechanical, Rolex calibre\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hours, minutes, seconds, date (without quickset)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel, round Oyster, smooth polished bezel, screw-down caseback\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e 34mm (37.6mm with crown)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug to lug:\u003c\/strong\u003e 42.4mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThickness:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10.9mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e 19mm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrown:\u003c\/strong\u003e Screw-down, signed Rolex, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Patinated black, applied golden baton hour markers, patinated tritium (T SWISS MADE T), original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e Golden, baton-shaped, patinated tritium tips, original\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acrylic with Cyclops (condition 9\/10)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBracelet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex Oyster steel bracelet with solid links, authentic, later than the watch\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuckle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Rolex steel folding clasp, reference 78350\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition and warranty\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeneral condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very well preserved. The black dial is original and has never been refinished: its lacquer has developed a light and even patina across the entire surface, visible in our photographs. The applied golden hour markers and the hands are intact, and the creamy patina of the tritium is even. The acrylic Crystal is in very beautiful condition (9\/10). The steel case shows signs of wear and scratches on the bezel and tops of the lugs, and the Oyster bracelet has the usual scratches on its links.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater resistance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Not guaranteed (vintage watch)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAuthenticity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lifetime guarantee\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMechanics:\u003c\/strong\u003e Serviced movement, guaranteed for 12 months\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIncluded:\u003c\/strong\u003e Invoice Atelier Victor, travel case\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNot included:\u003c\/strong\u003e Original box and papers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the black dial common on this reference?\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cbr\u003eLess common than the silver and champagne versions, which make up the majority of 6694s found on the market. The black variation with golden hour markers and hands creates a marked contrast that changes the character of the watch. The dial of this example is original and has never been refinished: over time, its lacquer has developed a light, even patina, which collectors specifically seek because it attests to the dial’s integrity. A restored dial would show a uniform surface but would have lost this indication.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the bracelet the original one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, and we prefer to state it clearly. It is an authentic Rolex Oyster steel bracelet, with solid links, but from a type produced after this watch. We mention this because the reference is engraved on the Buckle and can be verified immediately. In practice, many buyers prefer this version, which is heavier and more comfortable than the bracelets contemporary to the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is the date set on this reference?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe calibre does not feature quickset date correction. To advance the date, the hands must be turned through a full twenty-four-hour cycle, passing midnight, as many times as necessary. This is the original operation and not a defect. Avoid any adjustment between 9 pm and 3 am, during which the date-change mechanism is engaged.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does “Precision” mean rather than “Chronometer”?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRolex reserved the \u003cem\u003eSuperlative Chronometer Officially Certified\u003c\/em\u003e designation for calibres submitted for official chronometer certification. The movement of this reference was not submitted for it, hence the \u003cem\u003ePrecision\u003c\/em\u003e designation. This takes nothing away from its robustness or quality of manufacture: it is a pricing position that made the 6694 the entry point into the maison’s universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this piece suitable for a slim or larger wrist?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eWith a 34mm diameter, 42.4mm of Lug-to-lug, and 10.9mm thickness, it suits wrists of approximately 15 to 19cm. This was the standard format for the dress watch of the 1970s, and it is very much back in favour today. The Oyster bracelet can be adjusted by removing links; we can take care of this before shipping if you let us know your wrist measurement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e ","brand":"Rolex","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54660032299345,"sku":null,"price":3937.5,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0703\/8576\/2597\/files\/VD_06030-2.jpg?v=1787411029","url":"https:\/\/ateliervictor.co\/en\/products\/vintage-rolex-oysterdate-watch-6694-black-gold-dial-1976","provider":"Atelier Victor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}