A stainless steel Rolex 'Precision' dress watch. This is a very clean, handsome and classic dress watch from one of the finest names in horology. Although a simple and quite basic looking watch, these references are quite rare and desirable when offered from Rolex. Rolex is not really the name one associates with making this style of dress watch in the 1950's and '60's. Watches like this are much more common from their competitors such as; Longines, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre. Therefore, although not what people often look for when it comes to Rolex, they are sought after and desirable.
The thirty three millimeter case is a fine and unadorned design. A thin outer bezel allows the watch to wear bigger than its thirty four millimeters would suggest. The clean drop lugs are flat, not beveled in any way. The Rolex coronet features on the winding crown. The matte brushed snap-back case back features the Rolex coronet engraved into it, along with the unique serial number. Quite often with these watches these are polished off over the years. This is not the case here. The back is untouched and features both very prominently, as can be seen in the back image.
The movement inside the case is a Rolex seventeen jewel, manual wind, calibre 121S. The case is fully signed inside and out, as mentioned still showing the Rolex coronet on the outside and the case serial number 535xxx stamped beneath. Inside the case is the model reference number of 4061. The watch dates to circa 1960.
The unusual Arabic numeral dial is unrestored, and is showing no damage or patina. There is distortion on the photos due to the acrylic plastic curving along the minute track It is quite common for these watches to be restored/refinished as the sealing is quite poor and susceptible to moisture seeping in, if not well cared for. Therefore finding these examples in this condition is also rare. The hands are original Rolex gold leaf hands, with the center mounted blued steel sweep second hand. The case is sharp and shows no polishing, again rare from a watch now over sixty years old. These dress watches were no-lume dials so you do not find any lume plots on the hour markers or any recess in the hands. Another wonderful, and quite unique, feature to these early Rolex Precision watches are the 'thimble' shaped winding crown. Often these are damaged, replaced or lost over the years. This watch features its original crown.
This is a superb example of refined Rolex elegance with examples in original condition hard to find. The watch comes with an original green leather Rolex box. Although this would look more at home under a dress shirt, or paired with a jacket and pants, it does not look out of place with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt. The watch is presented on a period correct stainless steel bracelet. It is not made by Rolex, however works very well with the watch. We will add a leather band of the buyers choice as an addition if the desire to replace the bracelet exists.
