Rolex
Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, the partnership became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915 and moved to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.
During the 1930s and ’40s, Rolex also became quite masterful at courting tremendous publicity and excitement through literally being ‘on hand’ during numerous record-breaking events. These were, for example, swimming the English Channel (1927), breaking the world automobile speed record (300mph, 1935), breaking the sound barrier (1947) and climbing Everest for the first time in 1953. No matter how well orchestrated these events came to be, we have to admire Rolex for becoming masters of self-promotion and capitalising on every opportunity with simultaneous worldwide marketing campaigns.
Of course, Rolex is now so ubiquitous it is almost its own kind of its currency. A Rolex is the watch you want on your wrist when you’re in a Third World country when revolution breaks out and there’s only one seat on the plane, – and there’s a guy standing there with a machine gun! You give him a Rolex and he’ll give you the seat!
Description
A stand out 1950s Rolex that exemplifies this dichotomy is the Rolex Veriflat reference 6512. The Rolex Veriflat was introduced in 1954 and only produced until 1962, making for a relatively short lifecycle compared to many models introduced by Rolex during the same time that remain stalwarts of the brand’s collection even to this day.
The wonderful example we have here is simply stunning. This Rolex Oyster Veriflat Precision has been previously restored to a very high standard and carries the super high grade calibre 1000 hand wound movement, all of which are housed by an 18ct yellow gold case. This watch measures just 8mm including case, dial, movement and lens.
The Dial
As mentioned above this incredible Rolex Oyster carries a previously restored silver dial with gilt ‘baton’ hour indices that are swept by matching gilt ‘dauphine’ hands. This dial also has the wonderful addition of the subsidiary seconds dial at 6. Once again, pure simple style and classic timeless elegance is a perfect example of how vintage beats modern, hands down, every time!
This dial is correctly signed with ‘Rolex Oyster Veriflat’ at the very top of dial below 12 along with ‘Precision’ curved around the top of the subsidiary seconds dial and ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial below 6.
This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard, yet remains in outstanding condition.
The Movement
To achieve the Veriflat’s thin proportions, Rolex produced a new in-house manual winding caliber 1000. The movement was created by Rolex by taking its automatic caliber 1030 and removing the rotor. The caliber 1000 is an 18-jewel movement, adjusted for temperature and in five positions. It powers a subsidiary seconds at 6 o’clock, uncommon for a time-only Rolex in an Oyster case. The resulting movement measures just 3.45mm in thickness.
As can be seen, the high grade Cal.1000 18 Jewel hand-wound chronometer movement is in incredibly clean and sparkling condition. It has just completed an overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker and winds, sets and runs perfectly. These Rolex Cal.1000 movements were also used as Chronometer movements in earlier Rolex Chronometer watches. They are highly regarded for their accuracy and reliability, making this watch perfectly suitable for everyday use.
Following its service, the movement was calibrated and final tested and was found to be running arrow straight at +8 seconds per day! This is truly excellent and has been checked on our electronic watch Timegrapher. This movement also has a superb 58 hour power reserve when fully wound.
The movement is signed ‘Montres Rolex SA’, ‘Geneva Swiss’ and ‘Eighteen 18 Jewels’ and is marked with the Calibre number 1000, along with the reference number N647094. This particular movement is in superb condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 or 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run quite happily and provide very faithful service for many more decades to come! We have no hesitation 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 original, Swiss hallmarked 18ct yellow gold case measures 34mm in diameter, not including the correct screw down Rolex Oyster crown. This is the Rolex model reference 6512 with the sought after plain bezel, which just like the rest of the case – the sides, lugs and case-back – are in superb condition. The case-back in particular is in beautiful condition and has never been engraved or damaged. As mentioned above, this watch measures just 8mm including case, movement, dial and lens. The case has been professionally cleaned and lightly polished and is looking superb.
Inside the case-back all is correct and as expected, Signed, of course, with the beautifully ornate early Rolex branding, along with ‘R.W.C.Ltd’, Swiss 18ct hallmarks and the case reference number 6512, the case serial number 692828 can be found between the lugs at 6 which date the watch correctly to 1961.
As ever, our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.
The Strap & Buckle
A genuine Rolex black alligator watch strap has been fitted, along with a Rolex signed gold plate buckle. We feel the strap matches the watch nicely, 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, however, we 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.
The Box and Papers
Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1961.
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”.
The watch comes complete with a Rolex Oyster 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 1950s vintage Rolex Oyster Veriflat Precision 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.
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 
