Rolex Oyster Perpetual 10K Bubbleback 1953, Thunderbird Bezel, Red Line

£4,850

100% Genuine & All Original

Fully Restored, Serviced & Guaranteed

Beautifully Restored Ivory Cream, Red Line Dial

Original Gilt Dauphine Hands in Superb Restored Condition.

Size 33.5mm Diameter, Excluding the Original Rolex Oyster Crown

High Grade Cal. 10 1/2” A269, 19 Jewel Automatic Movement

10ct Case, Case-Back & Thunderbird Bezel, all in Immaculate Condition

High Quality Hirsch Leather Strap and Rolex Gold Plated Buckle

Your Choice of Colour / Style Strap Available At No Extra Charge

Matching Vintage Rolex Oyster Presentation Box Included

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

VGWL 12 months’ Written Warranty*

Free UK Next Day Delivery!

Overseas FedEx £45

Sold 9th May '18
VGW Reference: R635
Price £4,850

£4,850

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Highly Recommend
The service from Vintage Gold Watches was as per usual Fantastic, the watch arrived when expected and was extremely well packaged as usual. The watch was even nicer than the photos and went straight onto my wrist. Another fantastic acquisition for my growing collection. VGW is the first and so f
Andrew S via Feefo 29/1/2024
Verified Buyer
I have no hesitation in recommending.
From start to finish the service I have received has been excellent. Kirsty has kept me informed all the way and the level of the finished repair to a very old and worn vintage watch was exemplary.
Bryn H via Google Review 23/2/2024
Verified Buyer
Even better in real life
My watch has just arrived and it looks even better in real life! Just wanted to say a massive thank you to John and everyone there for the help you gave me in securing my dream watch. Cannot recommend your company highly enough. Thank you so much. Mike
Mike G via email 29/11/2023
Verified Buyer
New Vacheron
The watch arrived safely together with all its paperwork and looks lovely both on and off the wrist. It is very beautiful and understated. So a definite “yes” from all of us. Happy Christmas to you all Very best wishes Stephen
Stephen R via Email 6/12/2023
Verified Buyer
ABOUT THIS WATCH

Description

Rolex Oyster Perpetual bubblebacks draw their name from the bulbous case-back designed to accommodate Rolex’ early Calibre 10 1/2” A269 automatic movement and rotor. The movements were deeper on these earlier Oyster Perpetuals produced between 1950 and circa 1954 and are popularly known as the ‘large’ Rolex bubblebacks, as these watches had a 33.5mm Oyster case, as opposed to the ‘small’ Rolex bubblebacks with a 32mm case, produced between 1934 and 1950.

This watch is Rolex model reference 6084 and it is notable for its rarer ‘Thunderbird’ bezel which is in superb condition. Also for the red line ‘Officially‘ Certified Chronometer on the dial which was only seen between 1953 – 1954.

This is a classic 1950s vintage gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual gentleman’s dress watch, featuring a beautiful Ivory Cream dial, with early ‘Pencil’ hour indices, matched with the original ‘Dauphine’ hands. This is Rolex model reference 6084 with the Calibre 10 1/2” A269 automatic movement. This watch is immaculate, having been fully restored by ourselves, and is now ready for many more years of faithful service!

The Dial

1950s vintage Rolex dials are, we feel, the most wonderful examples of Rolex style and simple elegance at its best. This particular dial in Ivory Cream contrasts beautifully with the yellow gold case and the applied yellow gilt Rolex Coronet at 12 o’clock, and ‘Pencil’ hour indices. It is full of character and 1950s Rolex charm and the original, ‘Dauphine’ hands and yellow gilt centre seconds hand complete the dial perfectly. We feel the absence of a date window only adds to the beauty and perfect symmetry of this dial.

The lens has been replaced with a new original Rolex part and so it is fresh and scratch free.

This dial is in stunning condition due to the superb work of our dial restorers. It is simply immaculate. This is the original dial which has been expertly restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers, which are considered to be the best in the UK.

The Case

The 10ct Rolex Oyster watch case is totally immaculate and measures 33.5mm in diameter, excluding the Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. The case has the rarer and highly desirable ‘Thunderbird’ bezel which here is very distinct, indicating the watch case has not been over-polished. It is also free from any nicks or scratches, which is a rare thing as the bezel is prone to damage. This all indicates this watch has only seen very light occasional use. It has simply required professional cleaning and very careful and gentle hand-polishing to bring the case back to showroom condition. The case as a whole shows no scratches, dings, damage or signs of over polishing visible to the naked eye.

The screw-down case back is highly polished and of full thickness and has never been engraved. Inside the case-back, all is as expected and signed with the early Rolex scroll signature and the Rolex model number 6084. It also carries Swiss Geneva 10ct hallmarks. Externally, the case serial number 838503 is very clear and distinct on the outside of the case, between the lugs at ‘6’ and the Rolex model reference number 6084, also very clear and distinct, is on the outside of the case, between the lugs at ’12’.  The case number dates the watch to 1953.

The case has the screw-down Rolex Oyster crown and screw-down case-back, each complete with new rubber seals. Although this watch was specified as waterproof when new, this has not been tested and it is not guaranteed

As ever our standard advice applies: Vintage watches should be kept clean and dry at all times.

The Movement

The high grade, Rolex Calibre 10 1/2 ” A269, 19 Jewel automatic movement is running perfectly following a complete overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This involves completely dismantling the movement to all its component parts and close examination under high magnification, then using only genuine Rolex replacement parts where required, careful reassembly and lubrication using Rolex specified lubricants.

This particular movement is sparkling clean and winds, sets and runs perfectly, just as it should. When tested following its overhaul on March 20th ’18, this watch was found to be keeping superb time to within +12 seconds per day!  This is outstanding for any watch of this age. We are therefore highly confident in offering this watch with a 12 months warranty on the movement*. We will also be very happy to assist you with competitively priced servicing in the future.

These Chronometer grade movements are very strong, very accurate and very reliable making this watch perfectly suitable for both evening wear and everyday use. This movement is in superb, sparkling clean, A1 condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 – 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to run happily another lifetime!

The movement is again all correctly signed: Rolex Perpetual Chronometer, Swiss Made, ‘SWISS’, and with the reference numbers F55085 and 44852.

*Please note – our 12 months’ warranty is only applicable if the list price is paid.

The Strap & Buckle

A new very high quality Hirsch Brown leather strap has been fitted, along with a matching gold plated Rolex buckle. 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. We can also obtain most colours and types of strap from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their huge range of 19mm straps if you wish here.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the reference numbers, markings, signatures and hallmarks are all correct, dating this watch to 1953. Detailed particulars will be included with the receipt, along with our 12 months Warranty*.  A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this watch will also 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 matching vintage Rolex Oyster presentation box as shown in the photographs is included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a wonderful example of a 1950s vintage Rolex automatic which is ready to wear and very appropriate and practical for regular everyday use. It is a highly collectable timepiece from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy! 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 excellent 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 about our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very best quality watches we can find before restoring these to the highest possible standards. We then offer these watches at the fairest prices we can, taking into account our pre and post sales care and service. This approach inevitably means we will never be the cheapest, but nor will we be the most expensive. Indeed there are a number of well known stores in West London which are very 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 choose to pay by UK bank transfer, we will be pleased to pass on a 3% transaction saving to you. – Please contact us to reserve the watch and request our bank details.

Similarly, if you wish to pay by International SWIFT or International Bank Wire Transfer, we will provide you with our BIC / Swift number and our IBAN number.

Please note we welcome part exchanges and if you have a watch or small collection for sale, please contact us as we will be happy to discuss this.

We will be happy to Service, Repair, or Restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

If you have any questions, please call our landline 020 7727 7095  or mobile  07515 949 250 or if calling from overseas our landline number is +44 207 727 7095  or mobile +44 7515 949 250.

We will be happy to answer any questions and offer advice about this or any of our watches listed for sale. If you would like some general advice regarding any aspect of vintage watches, including buying, selling, or collecting, we will also be very happy to hear from you. We await your call!

Finally, please enjoy some time spent viewing our other fine Vintage Gold Watches!

Thank you.

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