Short answer
Rolex reference 1524 is a Date model. Rolex built it in the 1950s and 1960s. The case is stainless steel and measures about 34mm across. It runs an automatic movement with a date at 3 o'clock. Replica versions sell for $90 to $350. Genuine examples sell for $1,800 to $4,500, based on dial type, case condition, and papers.
What the reference 1524 covers
The 1524 sits in the Rolex Date line, not the Datejust. The Date case is 34mm. The Datejust case is 36mm. Rolex sold the 1524 with a smooth bezel and with a fluted bezel, in steel and in two-tone. Dial colors include silver, black, and gilt finishes. Movement is a 1500-series caliber. Most listings show a 1560 or a 1570. Crystals are acrylic. Water resistance was rated at 50 meters when new.
Production details change by year. A 1955 example and a 1965 example do not share the same dial print, crown, or handset. Confirm the year before you compare two watches.
What replica 1524 makers copy
Replica sellers list the 1524 with a 34mm case, a date window, and a steel bracelet. Common parts:
- Case: 316L or 904L stainless steel, 34mm, drilled or solid lugs
- Movement: Asian automatic, often a 2813, an NH35, or a 2824 clone
- Crystal: acrylic or sapphire
- Dial: printed or applied markers, gilt finish on some runs
- Bracelet: Oyster-style, folded or solid links
Prices run from $90 for a base build to $350 for a higher grade. Price tracks the movement and the case finish, not the dial accuracy.
Where replicas differ from the original
- Date font and window cut. Replica date wheels sit off-center or use the wrong numeral shape.
- Dial print. Text weight and spacing on replica dials differ from factory stamps.
- Case profile. Lug shape and bezel angle are the two items buyers spot first.
- Movement finish. Replica movements are undecorated and run at a different beat rate.
- Water resistance. Most sellers do not pressure test. Treat any rating as untested.
Questions to ask a seller
- Movement make and model number
- Case material and measured diameter
- Crystal type
- Water resistance test result
- Return window and payment method
A seller who cannot name the movement is a seller to skip.
Status and legal note
A replica 1524 is not a Rolex product. Rolex did not make it and did not authorize it. The Rolex name and the crown are trademarks. US customs can seize shipments of counterfeit watches. Some countries ban import and sale outright. Check local rules before you buy.