1920s 9ct rose gold cushion vintage Rolex Oyster watch
Date: 1927
Case: 9ct rose gold, 32 x 32mm
Movement: Rolex Extra Prima
Dial: Champagne, with Arabic numerals
Lugs: 16mm
An incredibly rare, early Rolex Oyster watch from 1927. A stunning example in fabulous condition!
A 1927, rare early 9ct rose gold cushion Rolex Oyster watch. The case measures 32 x 32mm, 16mm lug size, with an Oyster Patent crown and personal engraving to the back ‘L.J.F’. The case is signed RWCLtd (Rolex Watch Company Limited), Rolex, 20 World’s Records and hallmarked Glasgow 1927. The manual wind, Extra Prima movement is signed Rolex, timed to 6 positions, For all climates with 15 jewels. The guilloche (silvered, engine turned) sunburst dial has black Arabic numerals with a subsidiary seconds dial and fine blued steel ‘cathedrales’ hands. The dial is signed Rolex Oyster above the centre.
The Rolex Oyster watch
Following the end of World War I, global trading resumed and Rolex watches were being sent abroad, particularly to the the hot and humid tropical countries of the British Empire. Many of the watches were found to have rusted on arrival following a long damp voyage!
Hans Wilsdorf (co-founder of Rolex) was determined to produce a ‘water-proof’ watch and commented;
“We must succeed in making a watch case so tight that our movements will be permanently guaranteed against damage caused by dust, perspiration, heat and cold. Only then will the perfect accuracy of the Rolex watch be secured.”
The Rolex Oyster watch was produced a few years later in 1926 with a ‘three-piece’ case, (the front and back screwing into the body). An iconic design that has become probably the best selling waterproof wristwatch.
