Rolex
The late 1920s and early ’30s saw Rolex at its most creative and dynamic. Having launched the world’s first truly waterproof and commercially successful (Oyster) watch in 1926, this relatively young company, est. 1906, went on to launch its first automatic waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster Perpetual Chronometer in 1934. These groundbreaking achievements are the foundations on which the company we know today was built. However, even at this early stage of development, this highly ambitious company offered a wide range of models to the market, many of which we seldom see today, due to relatively low production numbers.
Description
The wristwatch we see here is just such an example, which if we take a moment to consider, bears little relationship with the pocket watch from which it descended only fifteen or twenty years earlier and which continued to remain popular right up and until the Second World War.
Though not officially referred to by Rolex as the Tank, there is little doubt this model was produced in response to the success of the Cartier Tank model, released in 1919. This was so called, because the outline of the watch case somewhat resembles the aerial view of the WW1 military tank. Prior to this, all watches were round, reflecting the shape of the movement. However, during the 1920s and ’30s, rectangular cased watches became hugely fashionable, which is why now perhaps, we loosely associate these designs with our Grandfather’s watch.
Finding good examples of any pre-WW2 Rolex has become increasingly hard over the past 10 years, however finding an example of this design is very difficult. Most are in the hands of collectors and seldom come to the market.
A simply wonderful, previously restored Rolex dress watch. A stunning watch in every regard with a beautiful, white dial, wonderful movement and an exceptional 9ct pink gold case. The watch also carries a high grade Cal.10½ hand-wound movement, which is in spectacular condition.
The Dial
Many rectangular watches of this period carried dials with ‘art-deco’ influences and this can be seen to a degree, in the design of the numerals. The wonderful black Roman numerals look perfectly in place against the white dial and are swept by blued steel ‘cathedral’ style hands. Square and rectangular watch dials present certain challenges to dial designers, but here the approach is very simple.
The dial carries an inner black rail track for the seconds along with a perfectly proportioned subsidiary seconds dial at ‘6’, which also contains Breguet style Standard numerals and a blued steel hand.
The dial is simply signed with ‘Rolex’ at the very top of the dial along with ‘Swiss Made’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.
This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard and remains in tip-top condition.
The Movement
This watch carries the original high grade Rolex Prima Calibre 10½, 15 Jewel handwound movement, which is in wonderful condition. This hand-wound movement has been fully overhauled and serviced. This means it has been completely disassembled, cleaned, inspected and rebuilt using original Rolex parts and specified lubricants as required, by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. When tested and calibrated, this watch was running to within +9 seconds per day, which is outstanding for any vintage watch of this age. When fully wound, this movement also has a 44-hour power reserve.
The movement is all correctly signed with ‘Rolex Prima’, ‘Timed 6 Positions’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘15 Jewels’.
These movements are strong, accurate and very reliable, making this watch perfectly appropriate for regular everyday use. This particular movement is in top condition and with regular servicing every 3 – 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run very happily for many more decades to come! We are therefore more than pleased to offer a 12 month warranty on this watch movement* and regular servicing in the future.
Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the full list price is paid.
The Watch Case
The wonderful 9ct pink gold gold case measures 25mm across, excluding the correct original unsigned crown, and 33mm from top to bottom. This may seem a little small, but it is in fact a very large watch for the period, especially when one considers it is 45mm including the lugs and 40mm across the diagonal.
When acquiring a rectangular or square watch, especially in gold, it is important to ensure the case shows no wear, no fatigue cracks and no pinholes, particularly around the hinge and corner areas. This type of case is prone to wear and damage in these areas, which is another reason these watches are rare, as cases become beyond repair and restoration. Fortunately, this example has been very well cared for and lightly used, so apart from our usual careful examination and cleaning, the case has required little work apart from some very light hand-polishing. There are no scratches or dings, and no damage/wear visible to the naked eye.
Inside the case-back is correctly signed ‘R.W.C Ltd’ (Rolex Watch Co Ltd) and also has the 9ct hallmark which date this watch correctly to 1926. Externally, the case-back also carries the Rolex reference numbers 641 and 38148.
As always, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap and Buckle
The watch is fitted with a high quality black leather strap and a plain gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, please let us know and we will do our best to oblige free of charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown and black in stock in plain padded leather, crocodile skin or lizard skin, but can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of straps if you wish here.
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 1926.
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 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
We love to find, restore and make available, fine vintage gold Rolex watches of this rarity, quality and condition. This is a superb, highly collectable (and usable) vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as something to treasure and enjoy! It will make an excellent evening wear dress watch as well as a practical, highly accurate and reliable timepiece to use on an everyday basis.
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 
