Ladies Rolex Chameleon Ref.9303 18ct c1983

Rolex

While the gents’ Rolex Precision was Rolex’s 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 example of a ladies Rolex Orchid ‘Chameleon’ cocktail watch in 18ct yellow gold from c1983. This watch is complete with seven interchangeable straps in beige, yellow, purple, red, black, orange and blue along with a 14ct yellow gold bracelet. The condition of the straps, watch case, dial and movement indicates this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.

Please note, at 16mm diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown, this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others. However, the dial is quite easy to read, even at arm’s length.

The Dial

The beautiful fully original, unrestored and untouched honey dial with applied mixed ‘arrowhead’ and ‘baton’ hour indices are, as can be seen in the close-up photographs, superb. The dial is complete with its original ‘lance’ style hands which are original and unrestored, yet remain in outstanding condition. The dial is framed by a wonderful fluted bezel which matches this honey dial perfectly

This wonderful dial is crowned with the usual Rolex ‘Coronet’ at 12 and signed ‘Rolex’ at the very top of the dial.

The dial is original and unrestored and 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 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, Rolex 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 lengths and expense to ensure its smaller series movements perform equally as well as its larger gents movements – and they succeeded. These are high precision movements and the example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus +13 seconds per day! This is excellent for any small mechanical watch and is no exaggeration – we have checked and confirmed the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher.

The movement is signed ‘Rolex Geneve’, ‘Swiss’ and ‘17 Rubis’ (Jewels).

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 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 18ct yellow gold case measures 16mm in diameter, excluding the correct Rolex signed crown. Please note, the size of the winding crown may seem 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.

This 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 or dimples, or other damage visible to the naked eye.

The case is of a very solid two-piece design with a wonderful fluted bezel. This design improves 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 of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

The case is correctly signed with ‘Montres Rolex S.A’, 18ct hallmarks along with the case model number 9303.

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

The Interchanging Straps

This outstanding watch comes complete with the five incredible interchangeable straps and a plain buckle. The straps are in beige, yellow, purple, red, black, orange and blue along with a 14ct yellow gold bracelet. Each of these can be changed easily by placing them through the section on the case-back of the watch. Perfect either for everyday wear or as a beautiful dress watch for special occasions.

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 c1983.

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”.

This watch comes complete with the original Rolex Chameleon 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.

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 wear, 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 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.