THE ROLEX PRECISION TAKES CENTRE STAGE
IN NETFLIX SERIES ‘RIPLEY’
1960s Rolex Precision watches are timeless pieces that exude the sophistication of this era. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Ripley, Netflix’s latest adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s bestselling thriller, The Talented Mr Ripley.
Shot entirely in black and white, the new series Ripley is a stunning tribute to the aspirational sophistication and style of the late 50s/early 60s.
As one of the UK’s leading vintage watch specialists, Vintage Gold Watches is delighted to share that we sourced not one but three vintage 1960s Rolex Precision watches featured in Ripley.
Below, Alan Wood, founder of Vintage Gold Watches, shares more about the history of the exquisite 1950s and 1960s Rolex Precision watches and how his team helped secure three timeless vintage pieces for this hit Netflix series.
The Rolex Precision – a brief history
The Rolex Precision marque was born in 1914 when the Kew Observatory gave Rolex a class ‘A’ certification for precision.
Since then, the designation has been used on many Rolex models for men and women in various shapes and sizes, all with the word ‘Precision’ printed on the dial.
The Rolex Precision is remarkable as a great all-rounder. Rolex Precision watches are not specialist watches but were designed to be reliable and solid investments worn every day. As such, these models represent understated class and elegance – they are not flashy or in your face, yet you can instantly see their quality and appeal.
Image: The iconic 1960s Rolex Precision watch
Why the Rolex Precision was the perfect choice for ‘Ripley’
The new series ‘Ripley’ exudes an aura of timeless elegance, from its meticulously crafted cinematography to the captivating fashion showcased throughout. It transports you back to a time when impeccable materials, skilled craftsmanship, and timeless style were highly prized. So naturally, the understated timelessness of Rolex Precision watches was the ideal watch to portray the essence of wealth central to the story of this beguiling thriller.
The allure of Rolex Precision watches remains as captivating today as it was during the 1950s and 1960s, perhaps even more so in the wake of the series’ release. Exuding simplicity personified, these timepieces, with proper care, promise to transcend generations, becoming cherished heirlooms passed down through the ages.
Many vintage watches like the Rolex Precision are small by today’s standards, with an average of 32mm excluding a crown. Yet, it’s this very size that endows them with an appeal that transcends gender.
Plus, for those looking for something slightly more substantial, there are some truly wonderful examples available. For example, the ‘4325’ has a more substantial 35mm case that houses the ultra-rare patented super balance 18 Jewel Chronometer Grade Movement.
Image: ‘Dickie Green’ exudes sophistication
How the Rolex Precision became the star of Ripley
Early in 2021, we were contacted by a gentleman looking for three identical, or as identical as possible, Rolex Precisions from the 1960s to feature in an upcoming TV series.
By all accounts, this represented a good order for us, and we were excited by the knowledge that this exquisite yet sometimes overlooked model would get its moment in the spotlight.
As luck would have it, we had two in stock that suited the client’s needs, so we only needed one additional piece to meet their requirements. We kept communication open with him as we set to work on finding the triplet to the twins.
As one of the UK’s leading vintage watch dealers, we sent out requests to our scouts and fellow dealers, and within a week or so, another turned up.
However, the task was far from finished. To ensure filming consistency, every watch required identical straps and buckles. Given slight discrepancies among them, we relied on our extensive network of dealers and contacts to procure three identical straps and equip them with matching buckles. Those who have ever refurbished a vintage watch themselves will understand the unique challenge this poses.
Finally, with three identical watches ready to go, all that was left was to arrange delivery with the props manager. At first, we carefully packaged the watches to send them straight out to Italy, where filming was already underway. However, with fears of loss or damage, in true big-budget production style, the call was made to arrange a same-day courier to get these to an assistant in London. It must be said that while I was relieved a solution was found, it dashed my hopes of a hand delivery to Italy!
Needless to say, the watches were eventually safely delivered, and after the initial flurry of excitement watching out for a hint of a trailer or a release date, the whole thing became a distant memory.
Fast forward to April 2024, and the whole team at Vintage Watches started seeing people raving about this new Netflix series based on the movie, ‘The Talented Mr Ripley’. We were all keen to watch it and see if we could catch a glimpse of the watches we painstakingly sourced for the production team. Little did we know how prominently they would feature and the lengths Mr Ripley would go to acquire one.
The series has been a huge hit, and we definitely recommend watching it, if only to see for yourself the timeless elegance the beautiful Rolex Precision watches exude.
Image: ‘Tom Ripley’
Vintage Gold Watches Rolex Precision models
At Vintage Gold Watches we see various Rolex Precision watches come into stock. While the majority feature a classic round shape with a clear, instantly readable dial and design cues that are immediately recognizable, we’ve also seen models sporting sub-dials and others with a centre seconds hand pass through our collection over the years.
In addition, we have been privileged to offer a variety of movements too, most often and arguably the better, more desirable, High Grade Cal.1210 and Cal.1200, 17 jewels hand-wound movements.
These are essentially the same as you might imagine from the name, with the 1210 giving a centre seconds hand and the 1200 allowing for a sub seconds dial. The Cal.1210 even had a date iteration. This movement was based on the Cal.1000 Chronometer grade movement and stayed in production right up until the 1980s.
You can find more information about acquiring a vintage Rolex watch in our comprehensive buyer’s guide.
Invest in timelessness
If you love the timeless sophistication of the 1950s and 1960s Rolex Precision watches, we have a variety of models in stock for you to choose from.
The exact pieces used in filming could be offered back to us at some point in the future, so you could own a Rolex Precision watch with the added value of being used on the set of ‘Ripley’.
If the allure of Rolex has captured your interest as you watched the drama of ‘Ripley’ unfold, but you aren’t sure the Rolex Precision is the model for you, why not explore all of the vintage Rolex watches currently in stock?
Images courtesy of Netflix.
