Rolex
Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the partnership 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 Precision gentleman’s dress watch in 9ct gold from 1957. This watch features an original, unrestored and untouched dial with an even patina and in very good condition considering its age. The watch is of a very clean, simple and classic design and typical of the 1950s.
At 34mm diameter, excluding the correct unsigned Rolex crown, this is a good-sized Rolex Precision for the period.
The dial is original, unrestored and untouched, yet in wonderful condition considering the age of the watch. This watch has seen very light use and so the watch case is in superb condition. The movement is also in tip-top condition have just been overhauled and serviced.
The Dial
This beautifully simple and elegant dial is perfectly balanced with applied gilt ‘Dagger’ hour indices and the Rolex ‘Coronet’ at 12. These are matched by the original and unrestored ‘Lance’ hands which are in superb condition. The hands have been cleaned, but not restored to retain their character and originality and also due to their remarkably good condition. They have been affected by some slight pitting which is evident in the photos, taken with a macro lens. However, these marks are hardly evident, if at all, on the wrist.
The dial is signed ‘Rolex’ and ‘Precision’ with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom, below the ‘6’.
The unrestored and untouched ivory white dial is outstanding condition considering the age of the watch. Usually, we restore the dial as part of the restoration of a watch as vintage watch dials over 50 years old are usually damaged due to sunlight, humidity and air pollution. Typically this takes the form of fading, staining. pitting, speckling etc. However, damage to a dial is also often caused during servicing, since anything which comes into contact with an aged dial will leave a mark.
Here, however, the dial is in exceptionally good condition and so we have left it completely alone for the sake of originality and also because some wearers and collectors prefer the charm of an unrestored dial. There is just some very light and gentle spotting across the whole of the dial. This is a very even patina. Although the spotting is quite clear in the very large high definition photos we provide, this can hardly be seen on the wrist.
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 Movement
The watch carries the original, high-grade Rolex Calibre 1210 Precision movement, which as can be seen, is in sparkling clean condition. The movement has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using original Rolex parts, only where required, by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. His work is superb and when finally tested and calibrated, the watch was running consistently at +8 seconds per day which is truly exceptional for any vintage watch of this age. The movement is all correctly signed ‘MONTRES ROLEX SA GENEVA’, ‘SWISS’, and ‘SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS’, with the calibre number 1210 and the serial number N58647.
These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable, making the watch perfectly suited for regular everyday use. This particular movement is in A1 condition and with regular servicing every 3-4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run happily for many more decades to come. We are therefore pleased to offer a 12-month warranty on this watch movement*.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.
The Case
The 9ct gold Rolex case is in superb condition and measures 34mm, excluding the original Rolex unsigned crown, making this a fairly large sized gents watch for the 1950s. The bezel is also very thin making the watch appear larger on the wrist than it measures.
This watch has been beautifully well cared for and after close inspection, the case has simply required a clean and a gentle hand-polish to bring it back to its current, almost as new condition. The case and case-back are each in superb condition, with few marks or scratches visible to the naked eye and the case back is of full-thickness and has never been inscribed. Inside the case-back the markings are all correct for a Rolex watch case made by Shackman, along with the reference number 04186. Shackman & Sons were very high quality case-makers and one of three English case-makers used by Rolex, the others being Dennison & Co. of Birmingham and Britton and Sons, also of Birmingham. The case-back also carries London 9ct hallmarks which date this watch to 1957.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The strap fitted is a new, very high quality genuine Rolex dark brown lizard strap with a Rolex gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style 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 and black in stock and in plain padded leather, or crocodile skin or lizard skin.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings and signatures are all correct, dating the watch to 1957.
Our detailed ‘Particulars’ document will be included in the sale, along with our detailed receipt and our 12 months’ warranty*. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also be provided at the time of sale along with our unique ‘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”.
A matching Rolex presentation box is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
This is a truly first class example of a 1957 vintage Rolex Precision which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher.
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 bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you.
Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and unfortunately out of our control.
We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges, however attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.
For those that happen to visit the UK on occasion we are of course more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and your watch directly to you there.
If you have any questions please call on Landline 0207 727 7095 or Mobile 07515 949250 or if calling from overseas on Landline +44 207 727 7095 or Mobile +44 7515 949250.
Please note, we also welcome part exchanges.
Please take a look at our other vintage gold watches.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
