Rolex
It is not quite so 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
Here we have a beautiful Ladies Rolex wristwatch, in 9ct pink gold from 1917. The condition of the bracelet, watch case, movement and original, unrestored dial indicate this watch has only ever seen very occasional and careful use.
This particular watch carries the original W&D signature in the case-back. The company’s founders, Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, simply used their initials W&D until they simply began to use the name Rolex.
The Dial
This beautiful watch dial carries wonderful, blued steel ‘cathedral’ hands along with the black, breguet style 1 – 12 standard Arabic numerals which were typical for Rolex ladies watches at this time. For such a small watch. this is a very clear and legible dial. All of these remarkable features make this watch very easy to read when upon the wrist.
This 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 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 Watch Movement
The movement fitted to the watch is the original 9¾, 15 Jewel hand-wound movement, reserved for Rolex’s highest quality watches of this period.
The movement is in very clean condition having just completed a full overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This means it has been completely dismantled to each of its component parts before cleaning and inspection under high magnification, replacement where necessary with only genuine Rolex parts, then careful reassembly, adjustment and oiling to Rolex specification, before final calibration and testing. Watches of this age, even with this quality of movement may gain or lose up to 2 minutes per day due to their age. They will, however, run for at least 24 hours and are wonderful to wear and own. We are therefore confident in offering this watch with a 12-month written warranty*.
The movement is correctly signed with ‘Rolex’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ’15 jewels’.
*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Case
The original 9ct pink gold octagonal case measures 27.5mm in width, excluding the correct onion crown. The crown is correct for this watch and is unsigned, as was usual at the time. The watch case has a double hinged press fit case-back to reveal the movement and this fits perfectly back in with a satisfying ‘pop’.
Opening the double hinged case-back reveals the correct signature for the period which is ‘W&D’ for Wilsdorf and Davies. The correct UK 9ct hallmarks are also shown which date this watch to 1917 along with the case serial number 782957.
Please note – as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Bracelet
The watch is fitted with its original 9ct pink gold English made expandable bracelet, this bracelet is also signed ‘9ct’ with the serial number R9732900. This bracelet has been fully dismantled and completely re-sprung. Please note – this bracelet will expand comfortably to make it a perfect fit for a wrist size between 17.1cm and 21.6cm.
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 1917.
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 a Rolex heart presentation box included.
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
A wonderful, useable ladies evening wear dress watch from horology’s most famous name which will provide both an excellent financial investment as well as something of beauty to use and enjoy! It will make an excellent investment or family heirloom piece and even though vintage gold Rolex prices have continued to rise markedly in the past 2-3 years, we still feel fine 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 are surely destined 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 steel watches.
Thank you.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
