From the WW2 era, this Swiss hand-wound Rolex Oyster features a classic cushion case and a beautifully aged, all-original dial with spectacular patina. The watch is distinguished by unique black Arabic numerals, complemented by a contrasting steel blue whip and spade handset. This model is similar to the Rolex Oyster worn by Mercedes Gleitze during her historic Channel swim, reflecting the brand’s early legacy of durability and innovation. Recently serviced by a Rolex specialist watchmaker, the watch is running well and ready to be treasured and enjoyed.

This Rolex gents cushion watch made in the time when watches were being made small to show off their watchmaking skills however this piece is housed in the larger 32mm case instead of the more common 28mm case. Powered by the rare 15 jewelled Superbalance hand winding movement signed Rolex. The original steel nickel case is fitted to a new leather band. * Please note there is substantial pitting to the case back. However, this does not affect the watch’s functionality and is barely noticeable when worn on the wrist*.

The Original Dial: Signed Rolex Oyster below ‘12’. Unique Arabic numerals with contrasting original blue steel spade and whip’ handset. Applied outer chapter ring featuring hour and minute markers. Fully functional subsidiary seconds dial. Dial has wonderful creamy patina with some marks commensurate with age and wear. Please observe photos.

Original Crystal: Acrylic dome crystal in good condition.

Original Case: 32mm Oyster cushion case with a chamfered bezel. Has surface scratches all over and pitting marks commensurate with age and wear. Lugs are in solid condition. Please observe photos closely.

Original Case Back Cover Outer: Bearing reference number 2081 and serial number 84924, which dates production to 1939 on the Rolex date register. Screw back milled edge case. Has signs of polishing and surface scratches are visible commensurate with age and wear associated with base metals. The case back cover screws and fits perfectly flush. Please observe photos.

Original Case Back Cover Inner: Signed R.W.C LTD (Rolex Watch Company Limited) Oyster Watch Co Geneva Swiss Great Britain Patents 260554/1925 274788 - 274789 Swiss Patents 114948 120848 120851 122110 U.S.A PATENT 1661 232 D.R.P 471002. In solid condition fits perfectly flush with case, has period service markers present.

Original Movement: Signed Rolex 15 Rubies Superbalance Patented Swiss Made Fab Suisse. In any field, be it vintage wristwatches, period motorcars or antique fishing reels, there are definite classics that are universally acknowledged to be key units that are of the utmost historical significance. The movement in this watch, Rolex’s 10.5 ligne (the ligne is the unit of width measurement traditionally used in the Swiss watch industry) Hunter, fits into this revered category perfectly, and is, without doubt, the most important mechanism that the company has ever created. Launched in 1923, the hand wound Hunter was the movement that replaced the venerable Rebberg that had powered the firm’s officers’ watches of the World War I era. It was the mechanism fitted to the first waterproof Rolex Oyster model of 1926 and, quite remarkably, remained in production until 1969. This long manufacturing span wasn’t in any sense because Rolex rested on its laurels in terms of innovation and research, far from it, but simply because the Hunter was so right from its first moments that there really wasn’t any feasible way of revising it. This movement has been serviced by a Rolex specialist watchmaker and keeping good time.

Replacement Crown/Winder: Signed with Rolex coronet and dash on relief, has some wear commensurate with age - Pull and Push fully functional crown a later service replacement in good working order.

Strap/Band Buckle: New good quality unauthentic aftermarket leather strap fitted to a aftermarket steel buckle.

*Please observe photographs carefully as they form part of the description*

Please note this Rolex is circa 90 years old. Shipping DHL insured registered post World wide buyer responsible for any taxes or duties due which may delay or hold up your shipment at destination port.

Additional Information;

‘The greatest triumph in watch making, the Rolex Oyster. The wonder watch that defies the elements.’

The headline from the front page of the Daily Mail newspaper, November 24th, 1927. Hans Wilsdorf (founder of the Rolex watch company) had succeeded in producing a truly waterproof watch and took the whole front page to advertise his achievement. Following years of striving to improve the ‘wristlet’ or wristwatch, Wilsdorf patented the Oyster case in September 1926. Consisting of three parts, bezel, ring and back that were all threaded to screw together, ensuring the case was water and dust proof. A month later he filed a patent for the screw thread and crown, which would hermetically seal the watch. (This had originally been filed by Paul Perregaux and Georges Peret (their one and only patent) in October 1925. Wilsdorf saw the great potential and bought the patent and subsequently filed for the British patent; 260.554.) Wilsdorf saw a great marketing opportunity when 26-year-old Mercedes Glietze swam the English Channel in October 1927. He presented her with an Oyster watch, which she wore on a chain around her neck. After the swim, lasting 15 hours and 15 minutes, the watch was found to be running and telling the correct time! He followed this triumph with window displays of aquariums with Oyster watches submerged inside, an idea he had registered in November 1922.

‘We must succeed in making a watchcase so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, water, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex watch be secured’ HW. Continuing his strive for the best, Wilsdorf patented seven more improvements in the next ten years. The Perpetual movement was patented in 1931. This was seen as the best automatic movement, an area where other companies had tried but not succeeded. Wilsdorf was a marketing genius, he raised the profile of Rolex watches with endorsements from sportsmen to explorers; Malcolm Campbell & Edmund Hillary. He presented the 100 000th Oyster watch to Winston Churchill, a gold Rolex Datejust. He also presented the 150 000th watch to Dwight Eisenhower, who later became president of The United States. The ‘Oyster’ name (derived when Wilsdorf had difficulty opening an oyster at dinner) continues to be on the majority of Rolex watches sold today. ‘We want to be the first in the field and Rolex should be seen as the one and only – the best.’ HW 1914.

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