Ladies Rolex Precision Concealed Bracelet Watch 18ct 1952

Description

While the gents Rolex Precision was Rolex’ best selling watch throughout the 1950s and ’60s, many will be surprised to learn there was also a ladies Rolex Precision, sold at the same time. These made up around 10% of all the Precisions produced. Half of these were sold on leather straps and half on integral Rolex gold bracelets. These were expensive watches at the time, due to it being much more difficult to produce the much smaller movements, to the same required levels of accuracy and reliability as those in the larger gents watches.

The watch here is a rare example of a  ladies Rolex Precision Concealed Bracelet watch in 18ct yellow gold from 1952. This design of concealed watch on a bracelet became quite popular for a time during the early 1950s and comprised a more exclusive range of ladies cocktail watch.

The Dial

The rare quilted white dial with applied Arrowhead & Stud hour indices is, as can be seen in the close-up photographs, in simply beautiful. The dial is complete with its original Leaf style hands which are also tip-top, especially considering the age of the watch.

The dial is crowned as usual with the Rolex coronet at 12 and correctly signed: Rolex with Precision, and Swiss at the very bottom of the dial.

At 16mm diameter, excluding the crown, this is quite a small watch in comparison with most others, however, the dial is quite easy to read, even at arm’s length.

This is the original dial which has been beautifully restored to the highest standards by our dial restorers, which are considered to be the best in the UK. The lens is new, having been replaced with an original new replacement, as part of the restoration.

The Case

The 18ct yellow gold case measures 16mm in diameter, excluding the crown. The crown is unsigned, but it is correct for this watch, as crowns were not signed on these watches in 1952.

On the inside of the case-back, the markings are all correct, signed with the early Rolex scroll signature and with the case serial number 8598, the Rolex Model Ref. 623 and Swiss 18ct hallmarks. The case also carries Glasgow UK 18ct hallmarks dated 1953. The case is of a very solid two-piece design with an integral bezel. This design improves water and dust resistance.

Although not clear in the photographs, the case-back also carries a clear early Rolex Coronet signature and the external case number 948999.

The press fit case-back clicks into place with a firm and satisfying ‘pop’, indicating it is a nice tight fit. The case-back is of full thickness and has never been inscribed.

This watch has been exceptionally well cared for therefore the case has simply required a clean, a thorough inspection, and then a gentle hand-polish to bring it back to its current ‘like new’ condition with no scratches, dings or dimples, or other forms of damage visible to the naked eye.

Please note – our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Movement

The high grade Calibre 1400, 17 Jewel, hand-wound movement is in incredibly clean and sparkling condition and has just been fully overhauled and serviced by our expert vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker.

Rolex went to considerable lengths and expense to ensure its 13.75mm diameter, Cal.1400 series movements performed equally as well as its larger gents Precision movements, and they succeeded! These are indeed high precision movements and the example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus 12 seconds per day! This is truly outstanding for any mechanical watch and it is no exaggeration – we have checked the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 42 hours when fully wound.

The movement is signed ‘Rolex’, ‘Swiss’, ‘Geneve’ and 17 Jewels and is marked with the Calibre number 1400. This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for many more decades to come. We are therefore confident 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 Bracelet

The original, integral heavy Rolex signed bracelet is in matching solid 18ct yellow gold. The hinged cover and bracelet are intricately designed and very ornate. The bracelet is in immaculate condition, showing no signs of wear or damage visible to the naked eye.

**The bracelet remains at its original standard 16cm length, which means the watch and bracelet are a perfect fit for a lady with a wrist size/circumference of 16 centimetres. The Rolex signed clasp and lock provide an adjustment of 1.0 centimetre, meaning the watch will fit a wrist size 16cm – 17cm or 6.25 inches to 6.75 inches. Please note, the bracelet could be tailored to make it fit a smaller wrist for a nominal extra cost.

The bracelet is, as expected, superbly made and quite weighty and substantial. It is also in wonderful condition. While the links do not stretch, they are just flexible enough to hug the wrist beautifully with no gaps or unevenness in any of the links.

The original Rolex signed clasp is superbly designed and also quite substantial which effectively locks the bracelet on the wrist. Please call or message us to discuss this, or if you have any queries about the bracelet or any other aspect of the watch.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1952 /1953.

A detailed written receipt with 12 months warranty*, and a separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of the 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 totally authentic, or not as described, Vintage Gold Watches of London will offer you a full refund, at any time”.

The Rolex green suede purse and matching vintage box shown in the photographs are included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a superb, highly elegant vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy! It will make the perfect gift as well as a practical, accurate and reliable timepiece to use on a regular basis, as you so wish.

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very best quality watches we can find, before then restoring these 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.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by UK cheque or by UK bank transfer we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. 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.

If you have any questions please call us on 0207 727 7095 or if calling from overseas please call +44 207 727 7095.

Please note, we welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or 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.

Please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.