Rolex Rolco 9ct Pink Gold 1933

Rolex

The late 1920s and early ’30s saw Rolex at its most creative and dynamic. Having launched the world’s first truly waterproof and commercially successful (Oyster) watch in 1926, this relatively young company, est. 1906, went on to launch its first automatic waterproof wristwatch, the Oyster Perpetual Chronometer in 1934. These groundbreaking achievements are the foundations on which the company we know today was built. However, even at this early stage of development, this highly ambitious company offered a wide range of models to the market, many of which we seldom see today, due to relatively low production numbers.

Description

The wristwatch we see here is just such an example, which if we take a moment to consider, bears little relationship with the pocket watch from which it descended only fifteen or twenty years earlier and which continued to remain popular until the Second World War.

Though not officially referred to by Rolex as the Tank, there is little doubt the design was influenced to some degree by the success of the Cartier Tank model, released in 1919. This was so called because the outline of the watch case somewhat resembles the aerial view of the WW1 military tank. Prior to this, all watches were round, reflecting the shape of the movement. However, during the 1920s and ’30s, rectangular cased watches became hugely fashionable, which is why now perhaps we loosely associate these designs with our Grandfather’s watch. Finding good examples of any pre-WW2 Rolex has become increasingly hard over the past 10 years and finding an example of this design is very difficult. Most are in the hands of collectors and seldom come to the market.

The example here is notable for its wonderful ‘art-deco’ dial and its immaculate and rare 9ct pink gold case with incredible straight lugs.

Although this was originally made and sold as a gentleman’s watch, it is equally suitable for a lady today, as this is not a large watch by modern-day standards.

The Dial

Many rectangular watches of this period carried dials with a classic ‘art-deco’ dial and this can be seen here in the design of the numerals. The wonderful black standard Arabic numerals look perfectly in place against the silver dial and are swept by blued steel index hands. Square and rectangular watch dials present certain challenges to dial designers, but here, this watch is simply outstanding.

This dial carries an outer black rail track for the seconds and a perfectly proportioned subsidiary seconds dial that replaces ‘6’, which also contains standard Arabic numerals.

This dial is simply signed ‘Rolex Rolco’ underneath 12 with ‘Swiss Made’ at the bottom below the subsidiary seconds dial.

This dial has been previously restored to a very high standard and remains in wonderful condition.

The Movement

The high grade Rolex Rolco, 15 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 smaller series movements perform equally as well as its larger gents Precision movements. These are high precision movements and the example here is running perfectly, having been calibrated to run consistently within plus or minus +14 seconds per day! This is excellent for any small mechanical watch and is no exaggeration – we have checked and confirmed the test results on our electronic watch timegrapher. This movement also has an excellent power reserve of 44 hours when fully wound. This particular movement is in beautiful condition and with similar care and regular servicing, say every 3 to 4 years, we would fully expect this watch to continue to run very happily for another 50+ years! We are therefore totally confident in offering this watch with our 12 months’ written warranty*.

The movement is signed ‘Rolco’, ‘Swiss Made’ and ‘15 Jewels’.

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

The Watch Case

The case measures 25mm across, excluding the correct Rolex unsigned crown, and 31mm from top to bottom. This may seem a little small, but is, in fact, a very large watch for the period, especially when one considers it is 45mm across the diagonal. The two-piece case is not hinged, but is opened using the bottom lip and swings open, revealing the dial. The movement can then be removed without any tools by holding the upper case and gently lifting the case back away from the main case – not recommended for the inexperienced or faint at heart.

When acquiring such a rectangular or square watch, especially in gold, it is important to ensure the case shows no wear, no fatigue cracks and no pinholes, particularly around the hinge and corner areas. This type of case is prone to wear and damage in these areas, which is another reason these watches are rare, as cases become beyond repair and restoration. Fortunately, this example has been very well cared for and lightly used, so apart from our usual careful examination and cleaning, the case has required little work apart from some very light hand-polishing. There are no scratches or dings, and no damage/wear visible to the naked eye.

Inside the case-back is simply signed with R.W.C.Ltd and the correct 9ct hallmarks, along with the Rolex case reference number 390. As can be seen, these numbers are clear and distinct, which is a very strong indication this watch has been very lightly used.

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

Strap and Buckle

A new high quality black leather strap is fitted with a plain pink gold-plated buckle. However, if a different colour or style of strap is preferred, we will do our best to provide this at no extra charge. We carry tan, conker, dark brown burgundy and black straps in stock, in plain padded leather, alligator, or lizard skin.

The Box and Papers

Although there are no original papers with the watch, the numbers and markings are all correct, dating this watch to 1933.

Detailed particulars will be included with our purchase receipt for your interest and security. A separate insurance valuation for the replacement value of this 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 100% genuine, authentic and original, a full refund will be given at any time”.

The watch comes complete with a Rolex presentation box, as shown in the photographs.

Payment and Delivery

If you would like to pay by bank transfer, we will be pleased to assist you with this and pass on a 3% saving to you. Paying by bank transfer for a 3% saving will not affect your 12 months warranty. 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.

Please check the import duties and any taxes your government may apply, these are different for each country and, unfortunately, out of our control.

We understand there may be some ‘loopholes’ that may help you avoid these charges; however, attempting to use these could impact our ongoing ability to serve our growing international customer base.

For those who happen to visit London on occasion, we are, of course, more than happy to store your watch until we can meet you in our offices in Kensington, London, and hand your watch directly to you there.

As with all our watches, this watch will be sold under our 14 days no-quibble sale or return policy.