Rolex
It is not so very well known that Rolex was actually founded in the UK in London in 1905 and it was not until 1919 that the company transferred its base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland. It is also a misconception that the world of luxury watches is a gentlemans one, as the first recorded wristwatch was actually designed for a lady. In June 1810, Abraham-Louis Breguet made a watch for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. For many decades, women have proudly worn Rolex watches and have been integral to the brand’s success.
Description
The watch we see here is an absolutely delightful example of a 1953 ladies Rolex dress or cocktail watch in 14ct yellow gold, complete with its original 14ct gold Rolex bracelet, currently tailored to fit a wrist size of 17cm.
These were expensive watches when new because it was much more difficult to produce these smaller movements to the high levels of accuracy and reliability, in line with the larger gents Rolex Precision movements.
The condition of the bracelet, watch case and movement are excellent, indicating this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.
This is the perfect dress or cocktail watch, for either evening wear or regular daily use, as you so please.
The Dial
The camel dial with applied ‘baton’ hour indices and ‘Index’ hands is in stunning condition. This is the original Rolex dial which has been restored to the very highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK.
Please note: This is a small watch and we use a very high definition camera with a high magnification macro lens to provide you with the best images possible. While this the most honest policy, this can be a little cruel in exposing every tiny flaw on a vintage watch which the naked eye would not normally notice. In truth, you would not see these on your wrist unless you held the watch very close to your eye and you have 20:20 vision!
Although this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others, the dial, gilt hands and gilt hour indices make the dial easy to read, even at arm’s length.
The dial is simply signed ‘Rolex’ with the usual Rolex ‘Coronet’ at 12 and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom.
The Movement
The high grade Calibre 1400, 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 Precision movements. These are high precision movements and the example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus 14 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. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 44 hours when fully wound.
The movement is signed ‘Rolex’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘17 Rubis’ (Jewels) and is marked with the Calibre number 1400. 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 14ct yellow gold case measures 21mm, excluding the correct Rolex signed crown. The further dimensions of the watch case are 14mm in height and 7mm deep. Please note, the size of the winding crown may look slightly 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.
On the inside of the case-back, the markings are all correct for a Rolex Swiss made case and it is signed R.W.Co.Ltd. for Rolex Watch Co Ltd. The case-back also carries the case reference number 74014, along with UK 14ct hallmarks, which date this watch to 1953. 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.
This watch has been exceptionally well cared for and so 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 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 Bracelet
The original, integral, full-sized Rolex signed bracelet is also in matching solid 14ct yellow gold. This is quite a heavy bracelet and in immaculate condition, showing no signs of wear or damage visible to the naked eye.
The bracelet remains at its original standard 17cm length, which means the watch and bracelet are a perfect fit for a lady with a wrist size/circumference of 17 centimetres. The Rolex signed clasp and lock provide an adjustment of 1 centimetre, meaning the watch will fit a wrist size 17cm – 18cm or 6.75 inches to 7 inches. The bracelet could be tailored to make it smaller quite easily, by our jewellers. However, making it longer would be a little more difficult and incur significant extra cost.
The bracelet is, as expected, superbly made and quite weighty and substantial. It is also in wonderful condition. While the links do not stretch, they are just flexible enough to hug the wrist beautifully with no gaps or unevenness in any of the links.
The original Rolex signed clasp is also superbly designed and substantial, with a secure second catch which effectively locks the bracelet on the wrist. This means it is impossible for the clasp to become accidentally undone and for the watch to become loose on the wrist. Please call or message us to discuss this, if you have any queries about the bracelet or any other aspect of the watch.
Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating it to 1953.
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 hardwood presentation box shown in the photographs is included in the sale.
In Conclusion
One of the nicest ladies Rolex dress / cocktail watches we have seen, from horology’s most famous name. This 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 for evening wear, 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 on our Landline 0207 727 7095. Or if calling from overseas please call us on +44 207 727 7095
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.
Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
