Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust 18ct 1954 ‘Roulette’

£6,450

100% Genuine & All Original

A Beautifully Well Cared For Example

Fully Restored, Serviced and Guaranteed

A Superbly Restored Silver-White Dial With Dauphine Hands

‘Officially Certified Chronometer’ Highly Accurate Movement

Rolex Model Ref. 6605, Cal.1055, 25 Jewels Automatic Movement

Size Large 36mm, 18ct Solid Gold Rolex Swiss Hallmarked Case

Immaculate Case, Fluted Bezel and High Polished Case-Back

High Quality Crocodile Leather Strap & Rolex Gold Plated Buckle

All in Absolutely Top Grade & Simply Stunning Condition

Rolex Vintage Presentation Box Included

VGWL Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee

VGWL 12 Months’ Written Warranty*

Free UK Special Delivery

Free Worldwide FedEx Delivery

Sold 29th July '19
VGW Reference: R760
Price £6,450

£6,450

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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

Launched in 1945, the Rolex Datejust broke new ground by being the world’s first automatic with a date function, in a wristwatch. The fact that this watch was also waterproof and accurate and reliable enough to be Chronometer rated, was nothing short of sensational in 1945!

The Datejust was also one of the first popular watches to possess a central seconds hand, moving away from the more usual subsidiary seconds (small seconds dial) of the time. It’s large 36mm size and classic design soon became an icon of style and quality, remaining in continuous production and continuous development, but changing little in style over 70 years!

The Rolex Day-Date joined the Datejust in 1956 and both have remained Rolex’s range-topping gentlemen’s dress watches ever since. However, early Rolex Datejusts are rarer and more sought after and therefore command higher prices than the Day-Date. Incidentally, the ‘just’ in Datejust, stands for “just in time”, referring to the way the movement advances the date, exactly at midnight without any delay.

The watch here is a fully restored Rolex Datejust in 18ct yellow gold, from 1954. This is Rolex model reference 6605, which has the Rolex Chronometer grade Cal.1055, 25 jewel movement. This was the movement, in fact, which was adapted and used during the first year of production of the Rolex Day-Date.

This watch has just completed a full restoration by our team and looks simply sensational. Early Rolex Datejust watches of this quality and condition are very rare and hard to find, so we are particularly pleased to be able to offer this fine example to you here.

The Dial

The beautiful Silver-White dial has applied gilt ‘Pencil’ hour indices matched by the original, restored, Dauphine hands. This is one of the earliest examples, and a forerunner of the classic Oyster Perpetual dial, which has become almost a ‘brand within the brand’ of Rolex. It is completely familiar as it is so similar to the later applied ‘Batons’ dial of the 1960s and ’70s, the theme of which continues through to this present day. The main difference here being the ‘Pencil’ hour indices, which although are very similar, have a clear ’50s look. A further distinct and sought after feature of this watch is its alternating Red and Black date wheel, known as a ‘Roulette’ date wheel, which was only used for a few years during the early 1950s.

The simplicity and beauty of this dial design is the epitome of style and elegance and has become a timeless, contemporary classic.

This is the original Rolex dial which has been sympathetically restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers which are popularly considered to be the best in the UK.

The Watch Case

The original 18ct yellow gold case measures 36mm, excluding the Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. This was a very large watch in the early 1950s, due to the size of the movement and the robust construction of its heavy gold waterproof case. This watch is also complete with its early shallow fluted bezel, which is much easier on the eye than the later more heavily fluted bezels. Here, the bezel is in immaculate condition, which is rare because a bezel is highly exposed and prone to knocks and scratches. A good deal of these are therefore over-polished which spoils many early examples. This is a clear indication this watch has received only light and careful use.

The early 18ct gold case has a richness to it which is wonderful in the way it appears to be a lemon yellow, a rich golden yellow or a mildly pink yellow depending on the ambient light.

The case has been cleaned, professionally inspected and restored with very careful and light sympathetic polishing. It is in immaculate condition with no scratches, dings, or similar marks visible to the naked eye.  The inside of the case-back carries the Rolex model number 6605 with 18ct Swiss Geneva hallmarks and is signed Montres Rolex SA Geneva Switzerland. The case also carries the external serial number 175,344, which is very clear and distinct, between the lugs at 6’ and the model number 6605 again, clear and distinct, at 12’.  The serial number indicates the date of manufacture of the watch to be 1954.

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

The Watch Movement

This watch is fitted with the high grade “Officially Certified Chronometer” 25 Jewels, 1055 calibre ‘butterfly’ movement which is very highly regarded for being reliable and strong, and particularly accurate, making this watch perfectly suitable for everyday use. This watch also has an excellent power reserve of  70 hours!

The movement in sparkling condition and working perfectly following a thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker. This movement is known as the ‘butterfly’ movement because the lightened rotor resembles a butterfly wing. It is signed MONTRES ROLEX SA GENEVA and TWENTY FIVE JEWELS, ADJUSTED to FIVE POSITIONS AND TEMPERATURE. The movement carries the movement reference number N698657 and 255, along with the Calibre number 1055. The movement has been very carefully calibrated and is running strongly and accurately within +7 seconds/day which is truly outstanding for any watch movement of this age! This watch is now ready for many more years of faithful service and we are very pleased to offer it to you with our 12 months warranty on the movement*.

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

The Strap and Buckle

The watch is fitted with a high quality Black Crocodile strap and Rolex gold plated 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 and in plain padded leather, or crocodile skin or lizard skin. We can also obtain most types and colours from our partners at ‘Watch Obsession’ within 48hrs. Please take a look at their fabulous range of 20mm straps here.

Please also let us know if you have unusually large, or unusually small wrists, to enable us to match the strap accordingly.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1954. A detailed written receipt with 12 months’ warranty* and a separate insurance valuation for the replacement value 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”.

Matching original vintage inner and outer Rolex presentation boxes are included in the sale.

In Conclusion

This is a truly first class example of a 1954 vintage Rolex Datejust which is ready to wear and completely practical for everyday use. If treated with care, this watch will make an excellent investment or heirloom piece. Even though vintage gold Rolex prices have risen markedly recently, we still feel good examples such as this are still undervalued and as each year goes by and the world market for vintage gold Rolex watches continues to expand, prices will continue to climb ever higher.

This is a highly collectable vintage gold watch from horology’s most famous name which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as be something to treasure and enjoy!

A word on our prices – We always try our hardest to acquire the very highest quality watches we can find, before then restoring them 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 on Landline 0207 727 7095 or Mobile 07515 949250 or if calling from overseas on Landline +44 207 727 7095 or Mobile +44 7515 949250.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. If you have a watch or small collection for sale, please let us know and we will be happy to discuss this.

We will also be happy to repair, service, or fully restore your watch, all at ‘sensible’ prices. Please see here.

Finally, please take a look at our other fine vintage gold watches.

Thank you.

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