Description
While the gents Rolex Precision was Rolex’ best selling watch throughout the 1950s and ’60s, many will be surprised to learn there was also a ladies Precision, sold at the same time. These made up around 10% of all the Rolex Precisions produced. Half of these were sold on leather straps and half on integral Rolex gold bracelets. These were expensive watches at the time, because it was much more difficult to produce the much smaller 13.75mm diameter Rolex Calibre 1400 series movements, to the same required levels of accuracy and reliability as the movements in the larger gents watches.
The watch we have here is an absolutely delightful example of the ladies Rolex Precision cocktail watch in 18ct yellow gold from 1971. This watch has an absolutely stunning sunburst hearts and arrows dial and wonderful Rolex Coronet lugs attaching the strap. The strap is adjustable, meaning this watch will fit almost any ladies wrist size.
The Dial
The gold ‘sunburst’ dial with applied hearts and arrows hour indices, is, as can be seen in the close-up photographs, in superb condition. The dial is complete with its original ‘Alpha’ style hands which are also tip-top, especially considering the age of the watch. Both the dial and hands are original and restored by our dial restorers who are considered to be the best in the UK.
Please note, at 18mm diameter, excluding the crown, this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others. However, the sunburst dial, gilt hands and gilt hour indices make the dial easy to read, even at arm’s length.
The dial is crowned with the usual Rolex ‘Coronet’ at 12 and is signed ‘Rolex’ below, along with ‘Precision’ at 6 and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom.
The Case
The Rolex Swiss made 18ct yellow gold case measures 16mm in diameter, excluding the correct Rolex signed crown. Please note, the size of the winding crown may look overly large in certain photographs. This is because the watch is small in comparison and the crown needs to be of adequate size in order to wind it. However please be assured, it is the correct original Rolex crown for this watch.
The case-back carries the case reference number 9060 and Swiss 18ct hallmarks, which date this watch to C1971. The case is of a very solid two-piece design with an integral bezel. This was designed to improve water and dust resistance. The press fit case-back clicks into place with a firm and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating it is a nice tight fit. The case-back is complete with a Rolex Coronet signature and is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.
This watch has been exceptionally well cared for and so the case has simply required a clean, a thorough inspection, and then a gentle hand-polish to bring it back to its current ‘like new’ condition with no scratches, dings or dimples, or other forms of damage visible to the naked eye.
Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Movement
The high-grade Calibre 1401, 18 Jewel, hand-wound movement is in incredibly clean and sparkling condition and has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our expert vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker.
Rolex went to considerable lengths and expense to ensure its 13.75mm diameter, Cal,1401 series movements performed equally as well as its larger gents Precision movements – and they succeeded! These are indeed high precision movements and the example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus 9 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and it is no exaggeration – we have checked the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 44 hours when fully wound.
The movement is signed Rolex, ‘Swiss’, ‘Geneve’ and ’18 Rubies’ (Jewels) and it is marked with the Calibre number 1401. This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for another 50+ years! We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months written warranty*.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.
The Strap
The black leather strap is of the correct type and size for this watch and will fit a wide variety of ladies wrist sizes.
Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1970.
A detailed written receipt with 12 months warranty*, and a separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of the watch, will 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”.
The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
This is a superb, highly collectable and totally usable vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy! It will make the perfect gift as well as a practical, accurate and reliable timepiece to use on a regular basis, as you so wish.
A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very best quality watches we can find, before then restoring these 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 us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas please call +44 207 727 7095.
Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.
We will also be happy to Service your watch, Repair your watch or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
