Rolex
Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the partnership soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master, launched in the mid-1950s.
Description
A highly elegant Rolex Oyster Perpetual Chronometer in 9ct yellow gold from 1957. This is Rolex model reference 6564, with the Rolex Calibre 1030, 25 Jewel Chronometer grade movement which is superbly accurate and reliable, even by current day standards. The movement has been overhauled and serviced and is in sparkling condition.
At 34mm in diameter, excluding the Rolex crown, this is a large-sized watch by the standards of the period. This watch case also carries the more understated and sought after plain bezel.
This watch has an original, unrestored and untouched dial in tip-top condition.
The Dial
The beautifully simple and elegant early 1950s original and untouched ivory cream dial carries gilt ‘arrowhead’ and ‘pencil’ hour indices, matched with original unrestored ‘dauphine’ hands. The ivory cream of the dial provides a beautifully subtle contrast against the yellow gold watch case, hour indices, and hands.
This is a beautifully elegant and simple dial. We think the combination of the arrowhead and pencil batons, combined with the dauphine hands is just wonderful. In terms of symmetry, purity and elegance, we also feel the absence of a date function is preferred as this enables the dial to retain its balance. Just perfect!
As this dial is in original, unrestored condition, this has been left untouched by our restoration team due to its superb condition. Usually, we restore the dials of the watches we sell, however, we decided in this case, due to its unusually good condition, to retain its originality and charm for those who prefer this. It also helps to contrast with almost all of the other watch dials you see on our website, which have been restored. However, if you particularly like this watch and you would prefer to have the dial restored, please contact us to enquire as this can be arranged at cost price.
The dauphine hands, likewise, have been left in their original untouched condition, to retain their originality and charm.
The dial is signed with the applied gilt Rolex brand and Coronet at 12 and with ‘Oyster Perpetual’ below. Above the 6 the dial carries the correct early ‘Officially Certified Chronometer script’. It also carries ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial. All in all, this is a very attractive, classic, understated 1950s original Oyster Perpetual dial.
The Watch Movement
The original high grade “Officially Certified Chronometer” 25 Jewels, 1030 calibre ‘butterfly’ movement is very highly regarded for being particularly accurate, reliable and strong. This movement is known as a ‘butterfly’ movement, due to the lightened rotor which resembles a butterfly wing. Here, it is in sparkling condition and working perfectly following a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This includes dismantling the watch to all its component parts and careful inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Rolex parts, then careful reassembly and adjustment before final calibration in 5 positions. The watch winds, sets and runs accurately and reliably and after final testing and calibration, the movement is running strongly and accurately within +8 seconds/day, which is outstanding for a watch movement of this age! The power reserve of this watch is 42 hours.
The movement is signed ‘Rolex Perpetual SA Geneva’, ‘Twenty Five Jewels’, ‘Adjusted to Five Positions’ and carries the movement reference number N910671 and the Calibre number 1030.
This watch movement is now ready for many more years of faithful service and is perfectly suited for everyday use. We are therefore very confident in offering this watch with our extendable 12-month warranty on the movement*.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Watch Case
The 9ct yellow gold case is in tip-top condition and measures 34mm, excluding the original Rolex signed, Oyster screw-down crown. The case has been professionally cleaned and carefully inspected, and required only light polishing. It is in superb condition with no scratches, dings or other damage, visible to the naked eye. The case carries its original smooth bezel which many consider to be more subtle and elegant than the normal fluted bezel.
Inside the case-back, all the markings are as expected and correct with the Rolex signature. Signed ‘Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland’, along with Geneva Swiss 9ct hallmarks the case reference number 6567 and a serial number 449946. The case-back exterior is left neat and unmarked. The watch carries a clear case serial number 656449 between the lugs at 12 o’clock which confirms the date of manufacture of this watch as 1957. Between the lugs at 6 is the Rolex model reference number 6564 and the words ‘REGISTERED DESIGN’. Note this watch therefore carries two Rolex reference numbers but it was not usual for Rolex to mix reference numbers on case-backs and lugs during this period.
Please note – even though this watch was specified as waterproof when new, and the rubber seals have been replaced on the case-back and crown, the water-resistance of this watch has not been tested and is not guaranteed.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
This watch is fitted with a high quality Royal Blue Alligator strap with a gold-plated Rolex buckle. However, if a different style or colour of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige, free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and brown in stock, in plain padded leather, alligator, crocodile skin or lizard skin. Please check out the excellent range of 19mm straps at our partner website: watchobssession UK.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating the watch to 1957.
Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months’ warranty. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will also be provided at the time of sale and our ‘Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee’ which states: “If this watch proves to be anything less than totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund at any time”.
The watch comes complete with the original Rolex Oyster presentation box shown in the photographs.
In Conclusion
This is a truly top class example of a 1957 vintage gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual, in wonderful condition. The watch is ready to wear and totally practical for everyday use. If treated with care it will make an excellent investment or family heirloom piece as well as be something to use, wear, treasure and enjoy!
Even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly in the past 12 months, we still feel great examples such as this are undervalued, because as each year goes by, the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches is expanding almost exponentially and so we think prices are destined to climb ever higher in the foreseeable future.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before then restoring them to the highest possible standards. We then offer these at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post-sales care and service. This approach means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are some well-known stores in West London which are highly successful charging between two to three times the price you see here. We therefore consider our prices to be fair, given the quality of watches we have to offer.
We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or Bank Wire Transfer we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.
If you have any questions please call 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas +44 207 727 7095.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
