Ladies Rolex Precision Ref.8901 18ct c1955

Rolex

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 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 the much smaller movements to the same required levels of accuracy and reliability as the movements in the larger gents Rolex Precision watches.

Description

The watch we have here is an absolutely delightful, previously restored example of a ladies Rolex Precision ref.8901 cocktail watch in 18ct yellow gold from c1955. This watch has been previously restored to a very high standard and yet the dial, case and movement remain in absolutely remarkable condition.

The Dial

The beautiful previously restored, vertical grain gilt dial carries beautiful ‘arrowhead’ indices which are swept by gilt ‘alpha’ hands. As can be seen, these are in superb condition. Please note, at 15mm diameter, excluding the crown, this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others. However, the 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’ just below 12 with ‘Swiss’ just below 6.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard and yet remains in outstanding condition.

The Movement

The high grade Calibre 250, 17 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 trouble and expense to ensure its small Cal.250 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 +9 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and has been checked and confirmed 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 ’17 Rubis’ (Jewels) and it is marked with the Calibre number 250. This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with similar care and regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for many more decades to come! 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 18ct yellow gold case measures 15mm in diameter, excluding the correct Rolex signed crown. The size of the winding crown may seem overly large in certain photographs, however this is because the watch is extremely small in comparison. However please be assured, it is the correct, original Rolex crown for this watch.

The case is of a very solid two-piece design with a wonderful plain bezel. The press-fit case-back clicks into place with a firm and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating it is a nice tight fit and the case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed. The watch has been exceptionally well cared for, therefore the case has simply required a clean, thorough inspection and then a gentle hand-polish to bring it back to its current ‘like new’ condition with no scratches, dings, dimples, or other damage visible to the naked eye.

On the interior of the case-back is signed ‘Montres Rolex S.A Geneva Switzerland’, along with the correct 18ct hallmarks and the model reference number 8901.

Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Strap & Buckle

A high quality black ‘real reptile’ strap is fitted along with a plain gold-plated buckle. We feel this matches the watch perfectly, 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 in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps here.

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 c1955.

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 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 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The high quality hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

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.