Ladies Rolex 18ct 1924

Rolex

While the gents’ Rolex Precision was Rolex’ best selling watch throughout the 1940s -1960s, many will be surprised to learn there was also a Ladies Precision sold during the same period. 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 these much smaller movements to the same required levels of accuracy and reliability as the movements in the larger gents Rolex Precision watches.

Description

Here we have a historic Ladies Rolex in 18ct yellow gold, complete with its original adjustable Rolex bracelet from 1924. The condition of the bracelet, watch case, movement and original slightly off-white dial indicates this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.

The Dial

The original, unrestored and untouched slightly off-white dial is typical of this period with black bold 1 – 12 Standard Arabic numerals. The stand out numerals are perfectly framed by a square minute railtrack. This dial also carries its original blued steel ‘Cathedral’ hands. This is, all in all, a clear and highly legible dial for such a small watch.

This dial is simply signed with ‘Rolex’ just below 12.

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 to leave it alone, due to its unusually good condition and 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. The hands, likewise, have also been left in their original untouched condition.

Please note, studio lights, professional-grade digital cameras, and macro lenses can be very unkind to an unrestored vintage watch dial. Also the dial here measures less than 1.25 inches across, so the image you’re seeing may be between 5 – 25 times larger than the watch itself. Therefore please keep in mind you are seeing many tiny flaws which cannot be seen, or will be very hard to see with the naked eye, even under close examination. Suffice to say, on the wrist, in natural light, this dial looks much better and carries a great deal more charm than the photographs portray.

The Movement

The high-grade, 15 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.

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.

The movement is signed ‘Rolex Prima’, ‘Swiss Made’, ‘Timed 6 Positions’ and ‘15 Rubies’ (Jewels). 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 Case

The original 18ct yellow gold oval case measures 15mm, excluding the correct unsigned crown. This makes this a small-sized ladies watch by modern standards. The crown is correct for this watch and is unsigned, as was usual at the time. The watch case has a hinged press fit case back to reveal the movement, this fits perfectly back in with a satisfying ‘pop’.

The inside of the hinged case back all is present and correct, signed ‘Rolex’, ‘7 World Records’, ‘Gold Medal’ and ‘Geneve Suisse’, along with the correct Swiss 18ct hallmarks. The exterior of the case-back carries the correct serial number 14962.

The watch case is in tip-top condition with no scratches, dings or dimples visible to the naked eye and the integrity of the case and case hinges is first class. This is all quite amazing, considering this watch is approaching 100 years old.

As always our standard advice applies, vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Bracelet

The watch is fitted with the original Rolex 9ct yellow gold bracelet. This watch was marketed with this bracelet in Rolex catalogues of the time. This is an adjustable bracelet and therefore will fit almost all wrist sizes from 16.5cm – 26cm.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1924.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this 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 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

This watch comes complete with a Rolex heart presentation box, as shown in the photographs.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this. 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.

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 who happen to visit London 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 hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.

This is a truly first class example of a ladies vintage Rolex 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 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.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or a 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.

If you have any questions please call us on 020 7727 7095 or if calling from overseas on +44 207 727 7095.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you