Rolex Oyster Precision 10ct 1952

Rolex

Founded in 1905 in England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving to its new Geneva headquarters in 1919. The success of the wristwatch can be largely attributed to many of Rolex’s innovations which made the company one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These have included its famous “Oyster” case — the world’s first water-resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and its “Perpetual” — the world’s first reliable, self-winding movement for the wristwatch, launched in 1933. These would form the foundation for Rolex’s Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956. Also and equally importantly, Rolex is known for its sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

During the 1930s and ’40s, Rolex also became quite masterful at courting tremendous publicity and excitement through literally being ‘on hand’ during numerous record-breaking events. These were, for example, swimming the English Channel (1927), breaking the world automobile speed record (300mph, 1935), breaking the sound barrier (1947) and climbing Everest for the first time in 1953. No matter how well orchestrated these events came to be, we have to admire Rolex for becoming masters of self-promotion and capitalising on every opportunity with simultaneous worldwide marketing campaigns.

Of course, Rolex is now so ubiquitous it is almost its own kind of its currency. A Rolex is the watch you want on your wrist when you’re in a Third World country when revolution breaks out and there’s only one seat on the plane, – and there’s a guy standing there with a machine gun! You give him a Rolex and he’ll give you the seat!

Description

A particularly fine, large sized gents Rolex Oyster Precision dress watch with a 10ct yellow gold Rolex Oyster case manufactured in 1952. This is Rolex Model Reference 6022, complete with its original high-grade Cal.710, 17 Jewel movement which is in superb condition and running strongly and accurately following a recent thorough overhaul and service by our vintage Rolex expert watchmaker. This Rolex Precision has the Rolex Oyster case with a screw-down case-back and screw-down Oyster crown which was marketed as waterproof when new. This example comes in fully restored condition and with its inner and outer presentation boxes, as shown.

The Dial

A rare and attractive Rolex dial in ivory cream with ‘pencil’ batons matched with original restored ‘Leaf’ hands. The dial also carries a concentric radial relief. This, along with the outer minutes and seconds track subdivided into 1/5ths of a second adds interest and character to the watch. It is all so very evocative of the early 1950s and simpler times, but has the DNA of later, more sophisticated Oyster Perpetual dress watches.

The dial is signed ‘Rolex’, ‘Oyster’ and ‘Precision’ with ‘Swiss’ at the very bottom of the dial.

This is the original dial which has been expertly restored to the very highest standards by our dial restorers who are considered to be the best in the U.K.

The Case

As mentioned in the introduction, this is the rarer Rolex Oyster Precision with a very strong and robust Rolex Swiss made Oyster case. This watch has been very well cared for during the past 60 years and the 10ct solid yellow gold case is in excellent condition and shows no marks, dings or scratches visible to the naked eye. It measures a large 34mm in diameter, excluding the original Rolex Oyster screw-down crown. The Rolex Oyster screw-down crown and screw-down case-back made the watch waterproof when new. Inside the case-back are found all the correct markings, the early Rolex signature, the Rolex model reference number 6022, along with Geneva Swiss 10ct hallmarks. The case has been professionally inspected and cleaned inside and out, then very lightly and carefully polished to bring it back to near new condition.

Externally the case carries the 6022 Rolex model number between the lugs at 6 and the case serial number, 931859 between the lugs at 12, which dates this watch to 1952.

Please note – Although the 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 always be kept clean and dry and never relied upon to be waterproof, no matter what the original specification.

The Movement

The high grade Cal.710, 17 Jewel hand-wound movement is incredibly clean and in incredibly good condition. It has just been serviced by our vintage Rolex expert watchmaker and is running perfectly. It is signed ‘Rolex SA, Geneva Swiss’, ‘Seventeen Jewels’ with the calibre number 710 underneath the balance wheel. In addition, the movement carries the reference number 07422.

Our vintage Rolex specialist watchmaker has given this movement a full inspection, overhaul and service and commented he found it to be particularly clean and well maintained. Upon completion, he has carefully calibrated the watch and after our final checks and prior to photography, the watch was found to be keeping time to within +10 seconds per day! This was tested and confirmed by our electronic timegrapher and is truly outstanding for any watch of this age.

This particular movement is in superb condition and with regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect it to run quite happily for another 50+ years. We are therefore very confident in offering this watch with a 12 month written warranty*.

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

Strap and Buckle

A very high quality, new high quality Hirsch Ascot chestnut leather padded strap is fitted with an aftermarket gold-plated Rolex buckle. Please note, we feel the strap matches the watch nicely, but 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, however, we can also obtain most types and colours at short notice.

Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with this watch, the numbers and markings on the watch are all correct, dating the watch to 1952. A detailed written receipt with a 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”.

The matching Rolex Oyster inner and outer presentation boxes shown in the accompanying photographs are also included with the watch.

In Conclusion

This is a very desirable vintage watch from horology’s most famous name, which will provide an excellent financial investment as well as something to treasure and enjoy! Even though prices have moved forward significantly in the pasts few years, we still feel gold Rolex watches from this period are undervalued and as each year goes by, the world market for vintage Swiss gold watches is growing almost exponentially so this means prices are highly likely to remain on their steep climb trajectory.

We are happy to accept PayPal as this is the quickest method of payment. However, if you would like to pay by U.K cheque or by U.K 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 on +44 207 727 7095. We await your call and we will be happy to help with any questions you may have about this watch or any of our collection.

Please note, we also welcome part exchanges. We will also be happy to service your vintage watch or assist with repairs or restoration as necessary.

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