Rolex
While the gents’ Rolex Precision was Rolex’s 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
The watch we have here is an absolutely delightful example of a ladies Rolex Precision cocktail watch in 9ct yellow gold from 1963. This watch is complete with its original Rolex diamond bracelet, also in 9ct gold. The bracelet, case and beautiful original dial complement each other perfectly.
The Dial
The beautiful fully original ivory-cream dial carries gilt applied mixed ‘3 – 6 – 9 – 12’ standard Arabic numerals and ‘arrowhead’ hour indices which are swept by the original ‘lance’ style hands. As can be seen, these are all in superb condition, this dial is in beautiful condition. This dial has been freshly restored and looks simply stunning!
Please note, at 15mm diameter, excluding the correct unsigned crown, this is a small-sized cocktail watch in comparison with most others of the period. However, the dial, gilt hands and gilt hour indices make the dial easy to read, even at arms length.
The dial is crowned with the usual Rolex ‘Coronet’ below 12 and is signed ‘Rolex’ just below, along with ‘Precision’ at 6 and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom.
This is the original dial which has been restored to the highest standards by the best dial restorers in the UK.
The Movement
The high grade Calibre 1401, 18 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 13.75mm diameter, Cal.1401 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 plus or minus 12 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and it is no exaggeration – we have checked 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’ and ’18 Rubies’ (Jewels) and it is marked with the Calibre number 1401. This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with 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 9ct yellow gold case measures 15mm in diameter, excluding the correct Rolex unsigned 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.
The case is of a very solid two-piece design with a wonderful plain bezel 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 the case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed. The 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.
Inside the case-back is signed ‘D S & S’ for David Shackman & Sons. Shackman were an independent case-making concern who supplied their products to most of the major Swiss houses for use on their watches that were to be sold in the UK. Also found inside the case-back is the case serial number 21946 and the correct 9ct hallmarks.
Please note – as ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Bracelet and Clasp
The original, integral, mid-sized Rolex signed diamond bracelet is also in matching solid 9ct yellow gold and is in incredible condition, showing no signs of wear or damage visible to the naked eye. This wonderful bracelet has a three step ladder catch which gives around a 1cm adjustment, this bracelet carreies 10 set diamonds.
The bracelet has been tailored for a ladies mid wrist size. This bracelet would fit a wrist size of 16.5cm to 17.8cm. This means this watch is really only suitable for ladies with a small size wrist. Due to the style and tailoring of the bracelet, it would be difficult and therefore quite expensive to have this particular bracelet altered.
This bracelet is signed with D S & S along with London 9ct hallmarks.
Box and Papers
This watch comes complete with the original Rolex guarentee booklet which dates this watch correctly 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 an jewellers presentation box.
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 ladies Rolex precision cocktail watch from horology’s most famous name, which 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 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.
Andrew M via feefo 
3rd December 2024 
JLC1891 
