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 rare and historic Ladies Rolex in 9ct pink gold, complete with its original, sprung, expandable Rolex bracelet, from 1916. The condition of the bracelet, watch case, movement and restored dial indicate this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.
The Dial
The original, unrestored and untouched white dial is typical of this period with Breguet style numerals and the ‘red 12’ which was almost always used on these very early watches.The Breguet numerals are mixed with wonderful stud indices around the outer edge of the dial which also carries its original black ‘Cathedral’ hands. This is, all in all, a clear and highly legible dial for such a small watch.
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 original movement here is referred to as a Rolex Rebberg movement and it was this movement which helped to establish Rolex and made the company famous. It was manufactured by the Swiss Aegler company, with whom Rolex formed a partnership. Rebberg is a Swiss district where the factory which produced these movements was located. The movement is the original 9 3/4 Ligne, meaning this is the smaller-size Rolex Rebburg movement. The movement is correctly signed ‘Rolex’, ‘15 Jewels’ and ‘Swiss Made’.
As part of the restoration of this watch, the movement has been overhauled and serviced by our vintage watch specialist watchmaker. This involves dismantling the watch to all its component parts and careful inspection under high magnification, then replacement where necessary with only original parts and careful reassembly and adjustment. This watch will be sold with 12 months’ warranty on the movement*
Please note, Rolex watches of this period are reliable and accurate by the standards of their day. However, they do need to be treated with extra care, so while perfectly suited for evening wear and special occasions, we would not recommend this watch for everyday use.
Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
The original 9ct pink gold case measures 27mm in width, excluding the crown and 27mm from top to bottom. 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 is double hinged to reveal the movement and dial and inside the case-back reveals the case serial number 1086728 and 9ct hallmarks for 1916. 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 ‘Regent’ 9ct pink gold bracelet. This watch was marketed with this bracelet in Rolex catalogues of the time. This is an expandable bracelet and therefore will fit almost all wrist sizes. Each link is sprung and new springs have been fitted so the bracelet does not hang loose on the wrist.
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 1916.
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 the original Jewellers 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 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.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
