Here we have a beautiful mid century Rotary triple date pointer watch, which has the 33.5mm chrome plated case with stainless steel back. The dial has the two-tone finish with the silver exterior having the blue date scale. The centre section is a champagne tone with a highly unusual linear striping with guilloche textured bands. The hour markers are applied to the dial, in the gold tone and are of alternating Arabic and arrow style. They have the luminous plots to the base. Below 12 are the two apertures for the day and month, with the Rotary name and winged wheel logo below. Above 6 o’clock it is signed 17 jewels U.M. The hands are of Lance Alpha style with luminous infill, and the date pointer has the white painted finish with red tip. The case is neatly proportioned and has the adorned lug design with the dished bezel. To the right is the domed crown which is original. The case back has the brushed finish with serial number. The manual wind movement is a Rotary 155, which is a Rotary calibre denomination for the Venus 220. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time, with the calendar functioning well.
We love this watch due to its functionality and design. A triple date pointer is a design out of the mid-century period with a balanced layout, which provides the wearer with the day, date and month, ensuring they never miss a beat (in style)!
The dial is particularly appealing given its two-tone silver and champagne approach and texture. The outer section is a lighter silver tone with the blue scale for the date pointer. Inside the main section has a champagne tone which has developed a warmth with age. It has the minute/seconds track to the exterior with the detailed 1/5th second graduations. The hour markers are applied to the dial and are a gold tone, alternating between Arabic and arrow markers. The arrow markers have the aged luminous plots set within them, with the Arabic numerals having the larger plots adjacent on the minute track at their base. The central pattern is neatly rounded off with the raised boarder, separating it from the outer track. The textured pattern has the triple banded lines, alternating with a guilloche weaved design which is eye-catching. Below 12 o’clock are the two apertures for the day and month wheels, which are a patinated white base tone with the blued text. Below this is the curved Rotary logo with the classic winged wheel logo. Above 6 o’clock is the ‘17 Jewels U.M.’ text with ‘Swiss Made’ either side of 6 o’clock.
The case is neatly proportioned for a comfortable everyday wear. It has a width of 33.5mm without crown and a total lug to lug length of 40mm. The depth of 11.5mm is mostly down to the design of box crystal needed to accommodate the stacked hands.
It is a chrome plated front with the stainless-steel snap on back. The polished chrome finish has held up surprisingly well for the age which is a big bonus. It is circular with the lugs appearing adorned to the end. They are a neat design with the tapered ends and curving flow. The bezel is dished and frames the dial well, creating a step down to the main body of the case. To the right-hand side is the domed crown which is well sized. The pushers for the date functions sit on the sides with one to the left and two to the right, either side of the crown.
The case back has the dished design with the brushed finish to the face. It is engraved with the serial number ‘41499’. Inside it is signed as a Steel back and Swiss made.
The movement is marked as a Rotary 155, which is their own calibre denomination with the base calibre being a Venus 220. It is manually wound and has a jewel count 17 and operates at a frequency of 18,000 bph. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within -10 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees and a 0.3m/s beat error. The pushers adjust the date functions as they should, and the date functions work well.
The watch is modelled on a 7” wrist circumference.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in strong overall condition. It has the bubbling and loss of the silver two in areas to the exterior section. The inner section has darkened with age and has some light marking. The hour markers have some slightly corrosion. The luminous plots are original and have darkened in tone.
Hands:
The hands are original with the original, aged luminous in-fill. They are in good condition with no bending. They have spotted tarnishing associated with age. The pointer hand has wear to the white painted finish, whilst the tip is a bright red.
Glass:
The acrylic crystal is in very good condition.
Crown:
The crown is original and is in strong condition with some marking associated with age and use.
Case:
The case is in good condition considering its chrome plated. It has some light marks and spotting associated with age, but maintains a bright polished finish.
Caseback:
The steel case back is in good condition with defined signing and serial with the brushed finish.
Strap:
The watch comes on new vintage style, genuine leather strap which will fit any wrist.
Movement:
The movement is a manually wound Venus 220. It has been recently serviced and is keeping accurate time to within -10 seconds variation per day, with an amplitude of 250 degrees and a 0.3m/s beat error. The pushers adjust the date functions as they should, and the date functions work well.
Case Dimensions:
Case width: 33.5mm
Case width with crown: 36mm
Case length: 33.6mm
Case length lug to lug: 40mm
Case Depth: 11.5mm
Lug width: 17mm