A stainless steel Rolex 'Precision' dress watch. This is a very clean, handsome and classic dress watch from one of the finest names in horology. Although a simple and quite basic looking watch, these references are quite rare and desirable when offered from Rolex. They were not known for making this style of dress watch in the 1950's and '60's. Watches like this are much more common from their competitors such as; Longines, Omega and Jaeger LeCoultre. Therefore, although not what people often look for when it comes to Rolex, they are sought after and desirable.
The case is a fine and unadorned design. A thin outer bezel allows the watch to wear bigger than its thirty four millimeters would suggest. The clean drop lugs are flat, not beveled in any way. The Rolex coronet features on the winding crown. The snap-back case back is stepped with a center area which is matte brushed and features the Rolex coronet engraved into it, along with the unique serial number. Quite often with these watches these are polished off over the years. This is not the case here. The back is untouched and features both very prominently.
The movement inside the case is a Rolex seventeen jewel, manual wind, calibre 121S. The case is fully signed inside and out, as mentioned still showing the Rolex coronet on the outside and the case serial number 1,624,xxx stamped beneath. Inside the case is the model reference number of 9829. The watch dates to circa 1967 and is in very good, original condition, throughout. The dial is unrestored, and is showing a little patina from the twelve o'clock to the four. It is quite common for these watches to be restored/refinished as the sealing is quite poor and susceptible to moisture. seeping in if not well cared for. Therefore finding these examples in this condition is also rare. The hands are original Rolex plain steel baton hands, with the center mounted sweep second hand. The case is sharp and shows no polishing, again rare from a watch now almost sixty years old. These dress watches were no-lume dials so you do not find any lume plots on the hour markers or any recess in the hands.
This is a great example of refined Rolex elegance with examples in original condition hard to find. Although this would look more at home under a dress shirt, or paired with a jacket and pants, it does not look out of place with a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.
