Rolex Oyster Precision 10ct 1951, ‘Explorer’ Style ‘3-6-9’ Dial

Description

A particularly fine, large sized gents Rolex Oyster Precision dress watch with a 10ct yellow gold Rolex Oyster case manufactured in 1951. This is Rolex Model Reference 6022 and is complete with its original high grade Cal.710, 17 Jewel movement which is in superb condition and running strongly and accurately following a recent thorough overhaul and service by our expert watchmaker. This Rolex Precision has the Rolex Oyster case which is much heavier and stronger than normal Rolex Precision cases. The case has a screw-down case-back and screw-down Oyster crown, designed to be waterproof from new. This example comes in fully restored condition and with its inner and outer presentation boxes.

The Dial

The Rolex ‘Explorer’ style dial became very popular in the mid-1950s following the first successful summit of Everest in 1953 by the British Expedition in May of that year. The Expedition was partly sponsored by Rolex and a ‘pre-Explorer’ was worn by Edmund Hillary as he made it to the summit. We say ‘pre-Explorer’ because it was a prototype of a watch which later became the Rolex Explorer. The Explorer dial quickly evolved, from a dial which very much resembled a compass with no numerals, to then the 3-6-9 Explorer dial, similar to the one we see here.

The small gold Rolex Coronet below 12 and the raised gilt numerals and teardrop indices on an Ivory Cream dial are matched with the original, restored ‘Leaf’ hands and ‘Lollipop’ blued steel seconds hand, all in mint condition.  The dial is signed Rolex, Oyster and Precision. The outer minutes and seconds track is subdivided into 1/5ths of a second.

It is all so very evocative of the early 1950s and simpler times, but has the DNA of later, more sophisticated Oyster Perpetual dress watches and in particular, the Explorer.

This is the original dial which has been expertly restored to the very highest standards.

The Case

As mentioned in the introduction, this is the rarer Rolex Oyster Precision with a very strong and robust Rolex Swiss made Oyster case.  This watch has been very well cared for during the past 60 years and the 10ct solid yellow gold case is in excellent condition and shows no marks, dings or scratches visible to the naked eye. It measures a large 35mm in diameter, not including the original Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. The Rolex Oyster screw-down crown and screw-down case-back made the watch waterproof when new. Inside the case-back are found all the correct markings, the early Rolex signature, the Rolex model reference number 6022, along with Geneva Swiss 10ct hallmarks. The case has been professionally inspected and cleaned inside and out, then very lightly and carefully polished to bring it back to near new condition.

As ever our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should always be kept clean and dry and never relied upon to be waterproof, no matter what the original specification.

The Movement

The high grade Cal.710, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement is incredibly clean and in incredibly good condition. It has just been serviced by our vintage Rolex expert watchmaker and is running perfectly. It is signed Rolex SA, Geneva Swiss, Seventeen Jewels with the calibre number 710 underneath the balance wheel. In addition, the movement carries the reference number 95375.

Our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker has given this movement a full inspection, overhaul and service and commented he found it to be particularly clean and well maintained. Upon completion, he has carefully calibrated the watch and after our final checks and prior to photography, the watch was found to be keeping time to within +10 seconds per day! This was tested and confirmed by our electronic timegrapher and is truly outstanding for any watch of this age.

This particular movement is in superb condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect it to run quite happily for another 50+ years. We are therefore very confident in offering this watch with a 12 month written warranty*.

Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only included if the list price is paid.

Strap and Buckle

A very high quality, new Burgundy ‘croc’ leather, padded strap is fitted with an aftermarket gold plated Rolex buckle. Please note, we feel the strap matches the watch nicely, but 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, however, we can also obtain most types and colours at short notice.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the numbers and markings on the watch are all correct dating the watch to 1956. A detailed written receipt with a 12 months’ warranty* and a separate insurance valuation for the replacement value will be provided at the time of sale and the matching Rolex Oyster inner and outer presentation boxes shown in the accompanying photographs are also included with the watch.

In Conclusion

This is a very desirable vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as something to treasure and enjoy! Even though prices have moved forward significantly in the pasts few years, we still feel gold Rolex watches from this period are undervalued and as each year goes by, the world market for vintage Swiss gold watches is growing almost exponentially so this means prices are highly likely to remain on their steep climb trajectory.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you choose to pay by UK bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. Please contact us to reserve the watch and request our bank details. Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095  or mobile  07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095  or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

Please note, we welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

Finally, please take a look at our many other fine Vintage Gold Watches!