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 Precision cocktail watch in 9ct yellow gold from 1963, complete with its original integral Rolex bracelet, also in 9ct gold. The condition of the bracelet, watch case, original dial and movement indicates this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.
The Dial
The original, unrestored and untouched silver dial with applied ‘pencil’ hour indices, is, as can be seen in the close-up photographs, in superb condition. The dial is complete with its original ‘lance’ style hands which are also tip-top, especially considering the age of the watch. The dial is framed by a beautiful crystal effect bezel insert, which catches the light wonderfully. Both the dial and hands are original, untouched and unrestored. Normally we restore the dials of all the watches listed on this website, but we felt this to be completely unnecessary in this case, due to its excellent condition and to retain its originality and charm for the many collectors 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.
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’ below, along with ‘Precision’ just above 6.
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 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 +15 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 Precision’, ‘Swiss’ 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.
Watch Case
The 9ct yellow gold case measures 15mm in diameter, excluding the correct Rolex unsigned crown. Please note, the size of the winding crown may look 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.
Inside the case-back, the markings are all correct for a Rolex watch and is simply signed ‘D.S&S’, meaning this watch case was made for Rolex by D. Shackman and Son. Shackman watch cases are considered by many to be the very best of all the Rolex cases produced at this time. Even better quality dare we say, than Rolex Swiss-made cases of the same period.
The case is of a very solid two-piece design with an integral bezel which was designed to improve 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 and is of full thickness, having never been inscribed. The case has been cleaned, carefully inspected and carefully hand-polished, which was all that was required to bring it back to its current tip-top condition with no scratches dings or marks of any kind visible to the naked eye.
As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Bracelet
The original integral Rolex signed bracelet is also in matching solid 9ct yellow gold and is in immaculate condition, showing no signs of wear or damage visible to the naked eye.
The bracelet remains at its original standard 16cm length, which means the watch and bracelet are a perfect fit for a lady with a wrist size/circumference of 16 centimetres. However, the Rolex signed clasp and lock, provide an adjustment of 0.5 centimetres, either way, meaning the watch will fit a wrist size 15.5cm – 16.5cm or 6 inches to 6.5 inches.
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 also quite 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 this watch to 1963.
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 Rolex heart-shaped 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 truly first class example of a ladies 1960s vintage ladies Rolex cocktail watch which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, it will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece and even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued. As each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher.
To summarise, this is a truly rare and highly collectable vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which is ready to wear, use, treasure and enjoy. It will provide excellent reliability and a sound financial investment – as long-lasting as the watch itself!
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 
